School Administrator Certificate: Central Office Endorsement

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The Michigan Department of Education requires all school administrators to hold a valid School Administrator Certificate, and many school districts require their central office leaders to also have a Central Office Endorsement. Students can obtain the Central Office endorsement by completing 51福利社鈥檚 Ed.S. or Ph.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Leadership concentration.

This certificate is for individuals who already have a master鈥檚 degree, and are seeking to obtain the state鈥檚 Administrator Certification: Central Office Endorsement by taking the 21 required credits beyond the master鈥檚 degree.

However, not all students want to obtain an additional graduate degree. Instead, they can obtain the Central Office endorsement by completing at least 21 credits post-MA (with such credits approved by the Michigan Department of Education). All required courses are offered fully online.

Admission requirements

Applicants to this graduate certificate must have a completed master鈥檚 degree prior to beginning the credits toward the certificate. Specific application requirements and the application link can be found on the website of the Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology.

Admission procedures

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Admission decisions take approximately two weeks after all materials are received.

Note: To complete many course assignments, and to have a mentor for an administrator internship, applicants must be employed within a K-12 setting OR have access to a school district setting.

To apply for this central office certificate, prospective students should apply within the 51福利社 online application system. Below is a list of the items that will need to be included in the application.

  1. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required and must be submitted within the online application system.
  2. Written statement. A statement which covers the following information in a two-page, typed, double-spaced document. Present your rationale and fit for pursuing the certificate. Please note that this statement is also viewed as a writing sample.

Program requirements

A program of study consisting of 21 credits as noted below (or equivalents) is required. In addition to this 51福利社 certificate, a student can be recommended to receive the state certification/central office endorsement.

  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 3 hours
  • Credits: 1 to 12 hours (3 hours needed)

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