Administrative Endorsement
New applicants to our P-12 School Leadership programs should look into our Big Red Leader tuition remission program as they might be eligible for a 15% tuition discount.
Program Length
1-2 years
Credits
Up to 36
Format
Hybrid
Become an Educational Leader
Do you already hold a master’s degree in education? Are you drawn to lead a building-level learning community? Does serving as an elementary or secondary principal or as a supervisor of special education appeal to you?
Successful completion coursework and the state-required PRAXIS will make you eligible for a Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory endorsement at the standard or professional level with administrative endorsements to serve as an administrator in P-12 Nebraska schools.
Required courses, which are offered in online, face-to-face, and hybrid formats, are listed below. Students are often able to transfer courses from their previous master’s degree. Our team can assist you in determining exactly the courses you need to meet your goals.
The Nebraska Difference
That is why we have built a program focused on standards, supported by research, and founded on relationships. Our program is aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) as well as the Nebraska Teacher and Principal Performance Standards (NTPPS). But we didn’t stop there. Our faculty have used research and practical experience to identify three core competencies we seek to develop in future school leaders. We call it The Nebraska Difference.
Visionary Thinkers understand there is more to school leadership than crossing off tasks on a checklist. We understand theory and research in education and articulate the reasons behind the actions they take and decisions they make.
Reflective Learners know that if schools are to be focused on learning, it starts with leadership. Reflective Learners apply research and theory and model continuous growth, learning, and improvement in themselves and others.
Servant Leaders know that, above all else, leadership is empowering and supporting others for success. Servant Leaders empower, support, and help sustain the success of others with an eye toward the future.
Our Unique Program
Award-Winning Faculty
- Students learn from faculty who conduct and share leading research on authentic school leadership challenges. These scholars are devoted their careers to teaching, researching, discovering, and sharing what works in school leadership.
- Students also learn from faculty with decades of real world experience as school leaders. These leaders have walked the walk of school leadership as principals, superintendents, and more.
Accessible Courses
- Students form meaningful relationships with classmates, faculty, and others through a unique combination of face-to-face and online courses.
Extra Opportunities
Individual Attention
- Students complete an authentic internship experience in their districts with support from a field-based mentor and faculty member. Students learn from leading Nebraska superintendents in two dynamic, hands-on summer seminars, held at the Nebraska Council of School Administrators offices in Lincoln
Critical Friends
- Students learn from expert school leaders with well-established expertise on particular topics.
Launching Your Journey
For educators in K-12 schools who have a passion for providing building level leadership, completion of the Administrative Endorsement program enables them to be certificated as a school administrator in the following fields:
- Elementary Principal
- Secondary Principal
- Supervisor of Special Education
Program Curriculum
If you already have a Masters Degree in education, you can pursue the administrative endorsement program that would not lead to another Masters Degree. Many students enrolled in the Departmental program intend to satisfy the requirements for a Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate, at either the standard or professional level, with administrative endorsements that will qualify them for employment as administrators in K-12 school systems.
The Principal Endorsement coursework is identical to the MEd coursework. The only difference is that if a student has already earned a master’s degree and is only seeking principal or special education endorsement, there could be a possibility to transfer in up to 9 credit hours towards their program. The assigned adviser will work with the program coordinator to make this determination.
Elementary or Secondary Principal Certification
- EDAD 800: Foundations of Research
A written report is required. Investigation and analysis of current problems in education administration and supervision.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 830: Administrative Theory in Educational Organizations
Introduction to classic and contemporary administrative theory as applied to educational organizations. The theoretical nature of the course content is relevant to those with an interest in a broad variety of educational institutions. General organizational theory, organizational models, historical schools of administrative theory, authority, power, motivation, and leadership. Frequently students are involved in studying problems of practice as a means of testing theory.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 852: School Culture and Behavior
School culture and student behavior in P-12 schools. Personalized teaching and learning environments that address student diversity, needs and interests.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 837 Education Law
Evolution, principles, and practice of education law in relation to local, state, and national units of organization. Education law of Nebraska.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 833: Educational Finance
Critical analysis of the political and economic elements impacting K-12 school finance. Content and activities address both building and district level concerns with an emphasis on principles, programs, and trends in school finance.
- Credit Hours: 3
- TEAC 801: Curriculum Inquiry
The relationship between curriculum theory and/or research to educational practices.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 903: Issues in Community Relations
Principles of community relations and public relations; development of school and community understanding; collaboration of educators and community agents and agencies; communication tools and evaluation.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED 856/857: Supervising Special Education/Special Education Administration
For principals or other administrators who have special education programs in their buildings. Overview of disabilities, related law, special education programs, personnel issues, etc., and instructional methods and administrative support for effective integration of disabled students into regular programs.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 851: Faculty and Staff Appraisal
Faculty and support staff in P-12 schools: appraisal, professional learning communities, high standards/high performance and accountability.
- Credit Hours: 3
- TEAC 948: Instructional Leadership: Emerging Trends and Practices
Changing roles for persons engaged in instructional and curricular leadership in educational institutions. Literature on staff development, assessment and evaluation, and effective schools serve as the basis for studying and applying this information to a variety of educational settings. Issues such as teacher empowerment and site-based management, along with cooperative learning provide the focus of the activities.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 811: Internship
May be repeated for credit. Rating and supervision of teachers; principles and procedures in the development of school policies; selection and promotion of teachers; courses of study and professional ethics.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 920: Diversity & Equity in Educational Organizations
Understanding the individual and organizational issues of diversity and multiculturalism in P-20 schools. Increase the students' knowledge and appreciation of: cultural, social, political, and economic realities of our complex, pluralistic society in relation to our educational system. Through the integration of relevant information from history, law, interpersonal development, organizational development, and philosophy, students will develop a complex, comprehensive understanding of diversity and equity.
- Credit Hours: 3
Supervisor of Special Education
- EDAD 800 Introduction to Research
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 811 Special Education Supervisor Internship Field-based experiences in public or private accredited school(s) providing services for special needs students.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 830 Administrative Theory Introduction to classic and contemporary administrative theory as applied to educational organizations. The theoretical nature of the course content is relevant to those with an interest in a broad variety of educational institutions. General organizational theory, organizational models, historical schools of administrative theory, authority, power, motivation, and leadership. Frequently students are involved in studying problems of practice as a means of testing theory.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 833 Educational Finance Critical analysis of the political and economic elements impacting K-12 school finance. Content and activities address both building and district level concerns with an emphasis on principles, programs, and trends in school finance.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 837 Educational Law Evolution, principles, and practice of education law in relation to local, state, and national units of organization. Education law of Nebraska.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 851 Faculty and Staff Appraisal Faculty and support staff in P-12 schools: appraisal, professional learning communities, high standards/high performance and accountability.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 852 School Culture and Student Behavior School culture and student behavior in P-12 schools. Personalized teaching and learning environments that address student diversity, needs and interests.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED 857 Special Education Administration Intensive preparation for special educators who intend to administer special education programs in the public schools. Information about best practices in special education, including programming, supervision, legal/regulatory issues, financing, personnel, as well as current controversial topics which are affecting these programs in the schools.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED 882: Specialized Instruction for Students with Severe and Multiple Selection, design, and implementation of best practice instruction for students with severe disabilities, multiple disabilities, or deaf-blindness.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 903 Issues in Community Relations Principles of community relations and public relations; development of school and community understanding; collaboration of educators and community agents and agencies; communication tools and evaluation.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED 960: Family and School Collaboration in Special Education Principles and practices for effective partnerships among schools, families, and the community. Cultural reciprocity and family systems theory are emphasized. Spend time with a family with a child with special needs, in order to gain firsthand knowledge of the family experience. Reflect upon these experiences in relationship to readings and discussions.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED ELECTIVE
- Credit Hours: 3