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You see yourself as a leader in K–12 education, overseeing district-level operations, having a bigger impact on the central administration and success of school systems. You have experience as a principal or school leader and now want to supervise others in elementary and secondary education as a superintendent or central office administrator. You’re motivated to be a change-maker in a rewarding career, work closely with school board members and make decisions for communities and future generations.
Go beyond your current role by joining this online educational specialist in K–12 educational leadership and administration, superintendent certification program to launch your career at the district level. Through this program, you’ll explore all the roles of a superintendent, gain an understanding of the seven standards of excellence and learn to navigate the demands of various constituents. The unique collaboration and partnership of this certification program across three campuses provides you with a network of experienced instructors who are ready to mentor you along your journey with the University of Missouri, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Quick facts
Official name
EdSp in educational leadership and policy analysis with emphasis in PK-12 educational leadership and administration, executive superintendency, certificationCampus
Program type
Educational specialistAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Educational Leadership and Policy AnalysisDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Association for Advancing Quality in Educator PreparationCredit hours
30Estimated cost
$15,315.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Potential career paths include:
- Executive superintendent
- Assistant superintendent
- Central office administrator
Program structure
Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required.
Courses are semester-based. Students typically take three classes each semester and finish in a little over one year.
Course work includes
- School personnel and administration
- Theories of educational administration
- Superintendent and legal leadership
- Policy making
- Finance
- Internship
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
14 monthsTypical course load
3 courses per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This program is offered in collaboration with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, which is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Chris Belcher is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Dr. Belcher teaches courses in the master's and educational specialist degree programs that lead to Missouri certification for principal and superintendent. Dr. Belcher retired as superintendent of schools for Columbia Public Schools in 2014 and has been teaching at Mizzou since his retirement. He is a frequent consultant and speaker regarding academic equity and access across the country.
Areas of interest: School and district improvement, curriculum leadership, leader development and learning
Susan Goldammer is an associate executive director and attorney with the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Susan has worked for the Missouri School Boards’ Association since 1999 and exclusively represents school districts in legal matters such as labor and employment law, constitutional law and administrative law. Her practice includes writing and reviewing legislation, writing and reviewing district policy, training board members and administrators on legal responsibilities and writing articles to assist public school boards in understanding and implementing new laws.
Dr. Patty Corum is a scholar in residence and graduate instructor at University of Missouri-St. Louis where she has taught and served on the leadership team since 2014. In addition, Dr. Corum serves as the executive director for Missouri Association of School Personnel Administrators (MOASPA) and is an educational consultant who works with Missouri school leaders in the areas of feedback and coaching, effective communication, supervision, evaluations, negotiations and overall school and district leadership. Prior to 2014, Dr. Corum served 28 years in Missouri public education as deputy superintendent in the Fort Zumwalt School District, principal in Fort Zumwalt and Liberty Public Schools and a teacher in Liberty and Boone County.
Dr. Tim Pecoraro was named superintendent of Pattonville School District in 2018. He has served on several statewide committees related to assessment and MSIP. He is currently on the executive board of the Missouri Assessment Partnership (MOAP). In 2001, he was named principal of Briar Crest Elementary School. He was named assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in 2007. Prior to coming to Pattonville, Pecoraro served as assistant principal at John Weldon Elementary School in St. Charles County. He was also a fifth grade teacher at John Weldon. Pecoraro holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a master’s in education administration from Lindenwood University. He completed his doctorate in 2007 from Saint Louis University.