Graduate Certificate in PK-12 Building Leadership

Program Info:

This online certificate consists of a 24 hour block of coursework, including an extensive field-based practicum and a comprehensive interactive e-portfolio.  The typical sequence of required coursework takes four semesters to complete, two courses each term.  The first semester includes the foundational course, ELPS 750 The Principalship, and the final semester includes ELPS 895, Internship. The additional 18 credit hours of required coursework can be taken in any sequence. After a student completes two courses, the internship gateway course opens up.  While completing the remaining six courses for the certificate program, students will meet with their mentor and faculty instructor as they finish their 175 hours of field internship experience.  Students submit a comprehensive digital portfolio at the end of the program that documents their proficiencies with national and state standards in building leadership. 

The Graduate Certificate in PK-12 Building Leadership is fully online.  Students may begin their program Spring, Summer, or Fall semester.  Applicants may be asked to specify preferred start date in alignment with application deadlines. 

This certificate is a component of the University of Kansas’s state of Kansas approved licensure endorsement program in Building Leadership PK-12. To add "Building Leadership PK-12" endorsement to a professional license in the state of Kansas, candidates must complete the following: 1) the 24 credit hours that constitute the Graduation Certificate in Educational Leadership, 2) have an earned master’s and/or doctoral degree, 3) have teaching experience, and 4) have earned a passing score on the state-mandated licensure exam.

Completion of a graduate certificate is not a guarantee of licensure or endorsement of any kind.  It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure and endorsement requirements in their state before applying for the certificate.  Students are responsible for applying for the licenses or endorsements necessary for their own career goals.

To be considered for acceptance into the online certificate program in PK-12 Building Leadership at the University of Kansas, the student must have:

• A current teaching license with 3-5 years of teaching experience in schools (most states require this)
• A master’s or doctorate degree from an accredited program in an education-related field of study
• Current resume or C.V.
• Statement of Purpose: indicate relationship of licensure-only program of study to career goals
• One official copy of all previous university academic transcripts
• One letter of recommendation from a current supervisor evaluating the applicant's capacity for graduate study and an aspiring career in educational leadership. 

Completion of Program:

Students will be able to complete this program in 2 years or less.  Upon successful completion of the program and successful passing of a required state building leadership licensure exam, students will be eligible to add the building administration endorsement to their license in their corresponding state. It is strongly recommended that students check specific licensure requirements in their individual states before starting the program.

PK-12 Building Leadership Certificate Program Requirements:

Completion of 24 credit hours:*

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ELPS 750	Principalship	3
ELPS 752	Education Law	3
ELPS 755	Human Resource Management	3
ELPS 854	The Student in Society	3
ELPS 852	School Resource Management	3
ELPS 853	Staff Evaluation and Development	3
SPED 756	Special Education Leadership	3
ELPS 895	Internship (*)	3

*ELPS 895 needs to be taken concurrently in the last semester, 1 credit hour for first 8 weeks and 2 credit hours for second 8 weeks.