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Online 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 online 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, a Saint Mary’s administrative licensure program 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.

Ready to lead?

K-12 Principal

Director of Special Education

Superintendent

School Administrator Licensure Areas at a Glance

Program	Ed.S. + Principal Program	Ed.S. + Director of SPED Program	Superintendent, Non-degree Program
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers three fully online leadership options for experienced educators seeking school administration licensure 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.
Who Should Apply?	Master’s degree holders 3 years teaching experience in MN (Possible alternate pathway may be available for provisional admission)	Master’s degree holders 3 years SPED teaching experience in MN	Master’s degree holders Current K-12 principal or director of SPED license
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: Earn an administrative license through our Ed.S. program.

“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.

Meet Diane

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need teaching experience to apply for these school administrative licensure programs?

Yes. For the Ed.S. Principal program, you need three years of teaching experience in Minnesota, although there is a possible alternate pathway that may be available for provisional admission. For the Ed.S. Director of SPED program, you need three years of special education teaching experience in Minnesota. For the Superintendent, non-degree program, you must be a current K-12 principal or licensed as a director of special education.

Do I need a master’s degree to apply for these school administrative licensure programs?

Yes. You will need to have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

What are the basic requirements to become a licensed school principal in Minnesota?

To become a licensed school principal in Minnesota, you must:

Hold a valid Minnesota teaching license
Complete a master's degree from an accredited university in an education-related field[
Possess three years of successful, documented classroom teaching experience while licensed[

After meeting these requirements, you must complete a state-approved principal preparation program to become eligible for licensure.

How do I qualify for a superintendent license in Minnesota?

To be eligible for a superintendent license in Minnesota, you need to:

Earn a master's degree or higher
Have a minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience while holding a valid teaching license
Have completed a preparation program that includes both coursework and supervised field experience
Fulfill the 60 credits past the bachelor's degree requirement for a K-12 superintendent license

What are the requirements to become a director of special education in Minnesota?

To become a director of special education (SPED) in Minnesota, you must:

Hold a valid Minnesota teaching license and a master's degree in an education-related field
Complete a state-approved program for special education directors
Fulfill specific Minnesota Administrative Rules requirements for experience and field work, including at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience and 320 hours of administrative field experience under a licensed director

Which exams are required for school administrative licensure in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, no state-mandated licensure examinations are required. However, you must complete a state-approved licensure program, which includes coursework and field experiences.

Can I use out-of-state school administrative experience to get licensed in Minnesota?

You can use out-of-state administrative experience to get licensed as a principal, superintendent, or special education director in Minnesota. However, you must meet the state’s specific requirements, including those about teaching experience, portfolios, and preparation programs.

How long does it take to complete a school administrative licensure program for these roles?

The Ed.S. Principal and Director of SPED programs take 1.5 years to complete. The Superintendent, non-degree program, takes six months to complete.

Is an internship or field experience required for these school administrative licensure programs?

Yes. All three administrative programs require 320 hours of field experience across elementary, middle, and high school or district administration.

How often do you have to renew your school administrative license in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, administrative licenses are generally renewed every five years. However, certain initial licenses may be for two years before transitioning to a five-year continuing license.

What is the renewal process for school administrative licenses in Minnesota?

To renew a Minnesota administrative license, you must complete the required professional development (125 clock hours for a Tier 4 license or 75 for a Tier 3 license) that has been approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Then, you must submit an online application and any necessary verification forms to PELSB.

Where do I apply for school administrative licensure in Minnesota?

To apply for an administrative license in Minnesota, you must apply through the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. It provides online account creation and application submission for various school administrative positions, such as principals and superintendents. You must complete the online application and, occasionally, mail additional documents such as a verification of experience form.

Take the first step today!

Meet your admissions counselor