Educational Leadership (District)
KANSAS DISTRICT LEVEL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The District Certification is designed to prepare person for the role
of superintendents and or other central office positions. Candidates
for certification must meet all requirements for current building
administrator's certification in Kansas in addition to program
requirements for certification.
Tentative Schedule:
Fall ........................................................................................................... 6 hours
(3) SSLS 901 Educational Systems Leadership I
This course focuses on the following domains of leadership including the skills, responsibilities,
opportunities and problems in each domain; Public Governance, Curriculum Planning and
Development, Instructional Leadership, Pupil Service Leadership, Educational Facilities and Legal
Aspects in each of the previously mentioned area.
(3) SSLS 997 Internship-Educational Systems Leadership I
Supervised field experiences and seminars in administration and supervision particular to the late
summer-fall school semesters. Admission by permission only.
Spring. .................................................................................................... 6 hours
(3) SSLS 902 Educational Systems Leadership II
This course focuses on the following domains of leadership including the skills, responsibilities,
opportunities and problems in each domain; Organizational Leadership, Human Resources
Leadership, Values and Ethics of Leadership, Communications and Community Relations, Business
Leadership, and Legal Aspects in each of the previously mentioned areas.
(3) SSLS 998 Internship-Educational Systems Leadership II
Supervised Field experiences and seminars in administration and supervision particular to the late
spring-early summer school semester. Admission by permission only.
Summer ................................................................................................... 3 hours
(3) SSLS 903 Educational Systems Leadership III
This course focuses on the following domain of leadership including the skills, responsibilities,
opportunities and problems in the domain of district leadership and cultures.
On the Job Internship............................................................................... 4 hours
(2) SSLS 941 District Leadership Internship I
This course serves as the supervised post-degree internship for licensure for District level leaders in
their first semester (if full-time) or first year (if part-time) of employment as a school district level
administrator. The intern will implement a district-wide improvement plan and an individual
leadership plan, providing both quantitative data to demonstrate the progress of the plan in
improving student learning.
(2) SSLS 942 District Leadership Internship II
This course serves as the supervised post-degree internship for licensure for district level leaders on
their second semester (if full-time) or second year (if part-time) of employment as a school district
level administrator. The intern will continue to implement a district wide improvement plan and an
individual leadership plan began in SSLS 941 District Leadership Internship I. And will continue
providing both quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate the program of the plan in improving
student learning.
Total ...............................................................................................15 to 19 hours
Admissions Process
Prior to completion of 6 graduate hours, the student will create a leadership portfolio that the
General School Administration Admissions Committee will review to decide on full admittance to
the Ed.S. or District Certification Program. The Educational Leadership Admissions Committee
will meet 3 times during the year (on or around October 15, March 15, and July 1) to review
student portfolios. Admissions committee members will use an established rubric to judge a
student's potential for success in the program. The course requirements of SSLS 901 will include
the creation of this leadership portfolio. If a student does not take SSLS 901 as one of the first 6
hours, the student will individually compile the leadership portfolio along with a written statement
justification for not including SSLS 901 as one of the student's first 6 hours in the program. One
member of the Educational Leadership faculty will take responsibility for helping these students
compile the required portfolio.
The leadership portfolio* will include the following:
Application
a.
b
Transcripts
Reference (1)
Reference (2)
Reference (3)
Resume
c.
d.
e.
Certificate
Goals
Autobiography
f.
g.
Writing Sample
h.
Response
i.
An application for admission to Graduate School.
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by
the student.
Three letter of recommendation; a current or previous
supervisor, a school board member or parent; a former graduate
school professors; one must attest with concrete examples, to
the student's potential as an educational leader.
A resume of educational and professional experiences
A copy of current certification (To receive the district
endorsement a person must also have building administration
certification. Building certification can be completed at the same
time as district)
A written statement of the student's professional goals.
A written leadership autobiography describing the leadership
roles the student has assumed during his/her adult life.
A writing sample where the student responded on the spot to a
specified topic.
A written response to a case study where the student had at
least one week to construct his/her response.
MUST BE EVIDENT IN THE PORTFOLIO
Documentation of the student's ability to work collaboratively. Documentation of the student's
history of meeting deadlines and satisfactorily accomplishing major tasks.
* Former PSU Masters in Educational Leadership and/or/ building certification students may
update their previous admissions portfolio.
Procedural Steps for District Certification
1. The student applies for admission as a non-degree seeking student through the Office of
Graduate Studies.
2. The student assembles a leadership portfolio and the General School Administration
Admissions Committee reviews the portfolio.