For many educators, the call for leadership leads them to obtaining an administrator’s license. Many states have various colleges and education programs offering degrees in educational administration or leadership. Along with school principal licensures in the elementary and secondary setting, there is also a certification for superintendency.
There are two general paths to obtaining a superintendent’s certification, the first is obtaining an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership degree, and the second is achieving a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Administration or Educational Leadership. Pursuing a graduate degree for school superintendency expands the knowledge, curriculum and instructional aspect, and the degree holder’s financial and human resources leadership.
Skills I Learned in my Superintendent Licensure Program
School administrators have either a master’s degree or a doctorate in education. School superintendents have either a masters, educational specialist, or doctorate. However, there has to be a state-issued license for superintendency. Additionally, states have an exam that has to be passed in order to receive the credential. There are testing agencies that have exams for potential superintendent license holders, however, the most common is the PRAXIS School Superintendent Assessment 6991. The skills I learned in my superintendent licensure program were very useful.
The pandemic has changed school principal jobs and superintendent responsibilities. However, to be sure that students and communities have a high quality of learning, and school officials who help their teachers and students reach their full potential, there must be continued professional development. Learning how to navigate burnout as an administrator can be difficult, but enhancing skills and collaborating with school administrators from the building and the district level brings a better perspective when leading schools and districts.
Classes in the program included topics on:
- Information Management Systems
- Data-Driven Leadership
- Education Law/Policy/Ethics
- Curriculum and Instructional Leadership
- Diversity and Global Development
- Superintendents and Executive Leadership
These are a few courses that gave me an expert level of understanding the perspective of both a building-level school leader as well as a district office administrator and superintendent.
How my Superintendent Licensure Made Me a Better Administrator
Obtaining a superintendent licensure not only prepares you to be a district administrator but it also prepares you to look at the K-12 system from a broader point of view. Classes for a superintendent licensure give the practitioner expanded knowledge of school building administrator’s duties and goals and how to make an impact with the community and district. Most superintendents and district office personnel have been previous building administrators.
By obtaining a superintendent licensure best practice from building level experiences combined with networking, communication skills, and understanding school board policies and community development are all ways that obtaining a superintendent licensure while facilitating best practices with educational administration impacts a community positively. There are multiple reasons to obtain a license for superintendency, all of which are benefits personally and professionally.
Why I Recommend Superintendent Licensure
When considering an advanced degree it is important to know which graduate concentration is best for you. My personal superintendent licensure included completing an educational specialist degree and a doctor of education. Becoming a superintendent involves having a goal and vision for the future of student learning, how to support building administrators and teachers, emphasizing a high-quality education, and being a role model and leader for the community. For those who aspire to district and cabinet level positions, a day in the life of a superintendent is different daily.
Learning from an educational specialist or doctorate in education program with a concentration in superintendency teaches the practitioner to think globally, focus on learning outcomes, and be an education advocate for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. According the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the average salary for a district superintendent is $156,648. Although there are salary ranges higher for superintendents in large urban areas, the pay for these educational executives reflects the diverse range of skills they bring and need for educational change.
Obtaining a superintendent licensure gives the educational practitioner the skills to work with business, educational, and community leaders. This allows for the growth of students, school culture, and the professional development of the educator. There are many benefits to obtaining a superintendent license or degree, however, the skills, and techniques learned vary with the individual and add value to any school district or educational organization.
Interested in elevating your career as an educator? Check out our 200+ available masters, doctorates, endorsements, and certifications to advance your career today!
