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School Administrator Licensure Preparation
Prepare to lead: Further your impact in education.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota prepares today’s educational leaders for licensure as a K–12 principal, director of special education, or superintendent. All three school administrator licensure preparation areas are aligned with Minnesota’s state competencies and designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to lead with confidence and integrity.
No matter your path in educational leadership, Saint Mary’s will equip you to lead with clarity, character, and purpose. You’ll develop the expertise to meet state standards and the moral grounding to make decisions that truly make a difference.
Strong schools start with strong leaders: Become the leader who makes a difference. Apply now and take the first step toward your leadership journey!
Not ready for an administrative role? Our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership is for experienced teachers wanting to build instructional and leadership expertise — without pursuing licensed administration.
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Leadership Licensure Areas at a GlanceSaint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers three fully online leadership options for experienced educators seeking school administration license as a principal, director of special education, or superintendent in Minnesota. Use the chart below to compare options — including credentials earned, licensure area, start dates, cost, and field experience requirements. |
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| Program | Ed.S. + Principal Program | Ed.S. + Director of SPED Program | Superintendent, Non-degree Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Should Apply? |
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| Earned Credential | Earn Ed.S. + MN principal licensure preparation | Earn Ed.S. + MN director of SPED licensure preparation | MN Superintendent Licensure preparation, non-degree program |
| Location / Learning Format | Online | Online | Online |
| Completion Time | 1.5 years | 1.5 years | 6 months |
| Credits | 30 | 30 | 6 |
| Start Dates | Sep • Jan • May | Sep • Jan • May | Sep • Jan • May |
| Cost | $17,250 | $17,250 | $3,450 |
| Field Experience | 320 hours | 320 hours | 320 hours |
Leading with character: Our Ed.S. program sets you apart.
“Our program is proud of our graduates who go on to successfully lead school communities,” said Diane Moeller, program director for the Ed.S. program. “By embedding virtue ethics and character into our program, we prepare leaders who are not only license-ready but also guided by integrity as they lead today’s complex school communities.”
Moeller was honored as the National Distinguished Principal® by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 2006.