How Can I Get a Certification in School Administration?

<p>School administration certification programs are designed for teachers or school counselors who want to become school principals, superintendents or administrators. Certification programs are available through many universities and colleges at the post-master's level of study. In addition to a master's degree, other prerequisites for certification programs may include a current teacher's license and 2-5 years of professional teaching experience. </p> <p>Some schools offer K-12 school administration certification programs as well as superintendent endorsement or certification programs. Most of these programs are designed to meet the certification standards set by the state in which the university or college is located. Certification programs could take 1-2 years to complete. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Programs Overview</b></td><td> Designed for teachers or school counselors seeking to become school principals, superintendents or administrators; available through many universities and colleges at the post-master's degree level</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Areas of Study</b></td><td> Curriculum development, school law, personnel administration, database management, hiring teachers</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Courses can be completed either online or on-campus; many offered in evening hours to accommodate professional schedules</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Mean Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $103,010 for education administrators in elementary and secondary schools</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>&nbsp;4% growth&nbsp; (<i>for all postsecondary education administrators</i>)&nbsp;&nbsp;</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3> <p>In a school administration certification program, you'll learn how to run a school or school district more effectively. Some classes cover school finance topics, like how to apply for government grants or hold fundraising events. Other classes may cover curriculum development, building operations, school law and personnel administration. You may need to complete an internship in order to earn your certification. </p> <p>Superintendent endorsement or certification programs include courses like database management, financial management, decision-making techniques and team-building skills. Some courses may cover methods for teaching gifted students, hiring teachers and creating curriculum. You may need to take a state-administered licensure exam after completing a school administration or superintendent certification program in order to receive your certification. </p> <h3 id="section---AreProgramsAvailableOnline">Are Programs Available Online?</h3> <p>In general, you can complete courses either online or on-campus. Since the majority of the students completing these programs already work at a school, the option of campus-based evening or weekend classes may be available. Classes offered in a distance learning format are often asynchronous and can be completed in a flexible manner; you'll view video lectures, download assignments, take tests and interact with your classmates online. </p> <h3 id="section---HowToUseYourCertification">How to Use Your Certification</h3> <p>Earning a school administration certification may lead to work as an education administrator. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job responsibilities for education administrators may include managing day-to-day school events, developing after-school programs and training administrative staff (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS states that as of May 2020, education administrators in elementary and secondary schools earned a mean annual salary of $103,010.</p>