Program Description
33 semester credits required. More credits may be required depending on program director's evaluation of the student's previous master's degree.
This major is designed for those seeking formal educational leadership roles such as superintendent, assistant superintendent, and other school district central office roles. Emphasis is on the administrator as an instructional leader as well as a servant leader. Ethical decision making, creative problem solving, and professional growth are other areas of emphasis.
The program utilizes a cohort model which allows students to plan their schedules and allows them to continue working full-time in their position while completing the program. Students typically complete the program in 22 months, which includes a year-long internship at the district office level. This internship will be supervised by a qualified central office administrator. This internship must be approved by the school district and the NNU program director. In the last semester, each student will enroll in EDUC8678B Central Office Internship Portfolio Binder (0-1) credits where they will upload their artifacts of learning.
The program is in a fully online format with some courses scheduling synchronous video class sessions. We encourage students to attend these “live” sessions as they are available. Archived recorded sessions may be available for review.
Successful completion of the degree qualifies the graduate for recommendation to the State of Idaho for Superintendent endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate. NOTE: An Institutional Recommendation (IR) is only valid for two years after completion of the degree. Therefore, the students should apply for a certificate revision or renewal within that time frame.
It is the student's responsibility to submit the appropriate paperwork and fees to the Idaho State Department of Education for obtaining certifications and endorsements in Idaho. Current forms and information are available from the ISDE website. Students should check the Internet and other sources for specific requirements for certification in other states.
Every Educational Leadership student will be registered for the approved accreditation and assessment software, Portfolium, during EDUC8000 Orientation: Graduate Education. There is a fee associated with this course to cover the cost of the student Portfolium account.
Required Courses for Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Superintendent (Online):
If Principal Certification has not been obtained, it may be obtained through a Master of Education in Building Administration degree or an Education Specialist degree. Please see Master of Education or Education Specialist, Educational Leadership-Building Administrator.
Admission Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Superintendent
- A master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the master's program.
- Certification/Licensure as a building administrator based on a recommendation from a state-approved higher education preparation program.
- Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students while under contract in an accredited school setting before degree completion.
- Approval by the Graduate Education Admissions Committee.
The Graduate Education Admissions Committee may approve exceptions to regular admission requirements.
Application Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Superintendent
All applicants to the program are responsible for familiarity with Idaho Code Section 33-1208; no person convicted of a felony or who would otherwise be denied certification or have certification revoked under Idaho Code 33-1208 will be admitted to the Superintendent program.
The following requirements must be received by Admissions a minimum of one week before classes start, and are online, mailed or emailed as indicated. For mail: Northwest Nazarene University, Attention Graduate Admissions, 623 S. University Boulevard, Nampa, ID, 83686. For email: gps@nnu.edu. Transcripts can be received through email if sent from an accepted digital credentialing service, such as Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse.
- Online: application and $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Mail, or email from a digital service: official transcripts from the regionally accredited institution(s) where candidate received a master’s degree. (We do not accept faxed transcripts.)
- Email or mail: a copy of candidate’s teaching certificate.
- Email or mail: a copy of candidate’s building administrator's license.
- Online: two recommendation forms completed by professional colleagues.
- Online: an Educational Leadership Evaluation Form from the candidate’s supervisor. The online recommendation forms and the online evaluation form must be completed by different individuals.
- Online: evidence of writing competency, preferably from a research paper or other document completed during master's courses.
Graduation Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Superintendent
- Credits must be earned in courses numbered 7000 or above. Continuing education courses and pass/fail courses (except those specified for degree completion) do not apply toward the degree. Exceptions for substitutions from other institutions may be approved by the program director.
- Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students while under contract in an accredited school setting before degree completion.
- The candidate must complete requirements as specified in the degree major. The degree must be completed within six years of beginning course work. If the degree is not completed within six years, the candidate must reapply to the program. Credits older than six years may need to be retaken.
- The candidate must apply for graduation one full semester prior to anticipated degree completion. Deadlines: June 1 for Fall; October 15 for Spring; and January 15 for Summer.