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School Administrator Certification: Requirements to Complete a School Administration Certification Program

Published Nov 04, 2009

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Students interested in becoming a school administrator can earn their post-graduate certification after just a few years of teaching. A certification program often requires two years of study at least one internship in a local school district.

School Administrator Career Summary

School administrator certificate programs are meant to be completed at the post-graduate level, often by working educators. Students who complete a certificate program in school administration are prepared for advanced supervisory positions in education. These positions include superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrative assistant on the district level, district director (which includes music, art and athletics), subject coordinator, district director of guidance and principal.

These positions involve less classroom time and more time spent on administrative tasks. School administrators often provide instructional leadership to other workers and teachers. They manage day-to-day activities in schools, pre-schools, day care centers and colleges and universities.

However, each job is different in its duties. For example, principals and assistant principals regularly engage the student body while superintendents maintain a more adult-engagement role, working with other administration members and supervising the work of educators.

School Administration Completion Requirements

Most school administrator certificates consist of 36 credits, distributed among several areas, including supervision and management. Several states have different requirements when it comes to gaining certification, and depend on the job which the potential students seeks. In some states, superintendents must hold master's degrees and have three years teaching experience before applying for a certification program. Principals are may only be required to have earned a bachelor's degree, while directors and curriculum coordinators are required to have earned a degree at the master's level.

Courses taken may include:

  • Educational administrative theory
  • School district administration
  • School law
  • Supervision of instruction
  • Business ddministration
  • School personnel management
  • Internship

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