Licensure Programs

The University of Minnesota's Department of Educational Policy and Administration offers a variety of courses specifically designed to address the competencies required by the state for various licenses. This highly individualized, flexible program prepares administrators for administrative licenses as a:

• Director of Community Education
• Director of Special Education
• K-12 Principal
• Superintendent

There is also an online-only program in Adult Literacy.

Please see the Minnesota Department of Education for additional information.

• Delivery Format
• Program Curriculum
• Course Descriptions
• Licensure Requirements
• Admission Information

Delivery Format

Although the coursework necessary to attain licensure can be completed in Rochester, students who wish to accelerate the completion of their program may on occasion find it necessary to attend classes at the Twin Cities Campus. To accommodate the busy schedules of educators, many courses are offered evenings, Saturdays, and during the summer. On average, students complete the program in one to two years. The Adult Literacy program is offered entirely online (no classes to attend).

(back to top)

Program Curriculum

Pre-Assessment and Portfolio
Candidates must complete a pre-assessment to guide the course and fieldwork of the individual licensure candidate. Each candidate also must create an electronic portfolio, guided by coursework and advising, to demonstrate the attainment of knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the areas of competencies for the pertaining licenses. They must present these portfolios to review panels made up of representatives from the University and licensed practitioners from the areas the candidates seek.

Core Requirements for All Licenses

• EdPA 5385: Licensure Seminar: Program Policies and Inclusionary Leadership (1 credit)
• EdPA 5386: Leadership Portfolio Seminar (1 credit)
• EdPA 5324: Strategic Financial Planning and Policy for Educational Leaders (3 credits)
• EdPA 5344: School Law (3 credits)
• EdPA 5348: Leaders of Human Resources (2 credits)
• EdPA 5387: Leadership for Teaching & Learning (2 credits)*
• EdPA 5310: Data Driaven Decision Making I (1 credit)
• EdPA 5391: Special Education Law for Leaders (1 credit)*
• EdPA 5387 and 5391 are not required for the Director of Community Education License

Overview Courses and Field Experience Requirements

Licensure Through Non-Certificate Option
In some cases, the candidate may enroll in a non-certificate program.  This option is available only with approval of an adviser and only if the candidate is:

• An individual already licensed as an educational administrator in Minnesota and seeking an additional license
• An individual having been a licensed and practicing administrator in another state
• Or has completed extensive coursework in educational administration 

When choosing this option, the candidate must complete a minimum of 6 credits through the University of Minnesota as well as other requirements as specified.  Additional credits will be determined after your adviser reviews your transcripts.

Alternative Licensure Pathway

There is a route to licensure for aspiring principals, superintendents, and directors of special education who want to become licensed but do not have a teaching license.  In addition to the licensure requirements listed above, you must also complete the following:

• EdPA 5135: Human Relations Workshop (4 credits)
• CI 5155: Contemporary Approaches to Curricular Instruction and Assessment (3 credits)
• EdPA 5095: EdPA: Problems (independent study) (1 credit)
• 1050 hours teaching experience, including 8 weeks in the classroom

Professionals who may be licensed under the alternative licensure pathway include:  school psychologists, school social workers, speech therapists, school librarians (without teaching license), school counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school nurses as well as others outside of schools and school districts.

Individual Candidate Competencies

Information regarding competencies for each of the licensures is located on the U of M Twin Cities campus websites listed below. Please use your "back" key to return the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) web site.

(back to top)

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for these program curricula are located on the U of M Twin Cities campus website at http://cehd.umn.edu/EdPA/licensure/courseinfo/course_descriptions.htm. 

(back to top)

Licensure Requirements

The following requirements fully implement the regulations set by the Minnesota Department of Education, which became effective January 1, 1997 (M.S. 3512). Upon successful completion of these requirements, the University endorses the candidate to the Department of Education, which issues the license.

• Aspiring principals, superintendents, and directors of special educating must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits of graduate-level coursework, which must include a completed graduate degree in any field
• Aspiring directors of community education must attain 20 semester graduate-level credits and must hold a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment
• All four licenses also require the completion of a human relations course. Generally that is completed prior to the licensure program and is required to obtain a teaching license in Minnesota.

(back to top)

Admission Information

STEP 1

Meet with University of Minnesota Rochester advisor Joseph Marchesani, Program Director for Education and Human Resource Development. To set up an appointment, contact him at 507-258-8064; e-mail: march027@umn.edu.

STEP 2

Apply to the program at any time. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The following application materials are required for entry into the administrative licensure program:

• Completed Application
  The application form is available on the U of M Twin Cities campus website at http://cehd.umn.edu/EdPA/licensure/forms/default.html.
• Essay
  Please compose a 1-2 page, double-spaced essay on a current topic in education that, as a licensed administrator, you would like to significantly impact. Attach this to your application.
• Program Fee
  There is a program fee which is applied to the costs of the pre-assessment, pre-panel, and panel reviews:
  • $550 for non-degree seeking students
  • $275 for doctoral candidates

Students pursuing multiple endorsements pay $550 for the first license and $275 for subsequent licenses if completed through the University of Minnesota within a 12-month period of endorsement for the first license.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in addition to an administrative license will be charged a program fee of $275 for each license sought. Applications to the doctoral and licensure programs are separate processes.

Please include a check payable to University of Minnesota. Should your application not be accepted, your check and application will be returned to you. Should you enroll in the program, then become inactive for two consecutive semesters, you will need to reapply to the program and pay a program fee equal to the difference between the current program fee and the fee that was in place when you originally applied. In addition, you will be held to the licensing requirements in place at the time of your re-application.

• Transcripts
  Please provide transcripts verifying any work completed after you received your initial bachelor's degree. The transcripts need not be official at the time of your application; however, official transcripts will be needed at the end of your program.

NOTE: No GRE scores are required.

The re-application form is for students not enrolled for two or more consecutive semesters or for change of program status.

STEP 3

Send all application materials (completed application form, essay, transcripts, program fee) to:

Kenneth A. Dragseth, Program Director
Licensing and Leadership Development Program
University of Minnesota
330 Wulling Hall
86 Pleasant Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0221

(back to top)