Leadership Education - K-12 Principal - Certificate/Licensure (MN & WI endorsement)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

30 credits

Administrative Licensure Requirements

The Education Leadership Licensure Program of study can be used to meet the requirements for licensure for K-12 Principal and Superintendent in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Licensure can be earned before completing the EdS degree requirements; the EdS required an additional six credits. The licensure core credits are the same for the Principal and Superintendent programs. Our program of study complies with all of the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA) requirements for licensing K-12 Principals and Superintendents (MR3512) and is accessible to the public. Initial licensure requires that you:

apply for admission by contacting the Licensing Review Officer (Steve Baule, steven.baule@winona.edu)
complete 60 semester credits beyond a bachelor’s degree and fulfill the required coursework below
have completed three years of teaching experience at the elementary or secondary level while holding a teaching license valid for the position or positions in which the experience was gained
complete six semester credits of internship (320 hours) with a site supervisor appropriately licensed in the licensure area you are interested in
demonstrate knowledge of administrative competencies to the satisfaction of a joint faculty/administrator panel (at WSU this is called the Licensure Review Panel). Educational requirements for licensure in other states for administrative positions may be satisfied by specific program modifications.

Note: Specific courses (or their equivalent) may be transferred if taken at the master’s level per Licensing Coordinator approval.

Core Administrative Courses (18 credits)

EL 610 - School Law (3 credits)
EL 622 - The Principalship (3 credits)
EL 628 - Human Resources and Collective Bargaining (3 credits)
EL 635 - Public Relations and Politics (3 credits)
LDRS 612 - Systems Thinking (3 credits)
LDRS 614 - Change Leadership (3 credits)

K-12 Principal Courses (12 credits)

EL 604 - Curriculum Planning, Development, and Diverse Learners (3 credits)
EL 758 - Educational Finance (3 credits)
EL 761 - K-12 Principal Internship I (3 credits)
EL 762 - K-12 Principal Internship II (3 credits)

Internship (Licensure) Information

Students will complete two internships within 12 months for a total of 6 credits (as listed above). The internships are a capstone field experience intended to bring the theory of the classroom to the practice of the profession. Individuals seeking K-12 Principal and Superintendent licensure will serve in the capacity of an administrative aide or intern. As a guideline for when to register for the internship, it is suggested that a minimum of 75% of program credits be completed. For individuals seeking careers in other settings, an internship can be arranged specific to career aspirations.

Licensure Review Panel

A panel of practicing school administrators and college faculty who review each candidate for licensure endorsement in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The panel serves as a final check on the professional preparation for the K-12 Principal and Superintendent license. Candidate activities and experiences in the competencies, as required by the MN Board of School Administrators (BOSA), are reviewed in a personal interview and as documented. Participation in the Panel is scheduled when all requirements have been completed.