Develop, motivate and lead an entire district community with an EdS in Executive Superintendency.

Superintendents oversee all aspects of the school district to ensure the entire educational ecosystem functions well and efficiently. This requires strong leadership from exceptionally knowledgeable people who can make tough, timely decisions, and develop solutions to complex problems. Effective superintendents must hone a variety of skillsets, from partnership building, community outreach, resource mobilization and crisis management, to public relations, advocacy, and organizational and fiscal management. This program is designed to prepare aspiring educational leaders for a chief role in school district administration.

 

 

Program type:

Degree, EdS

Format:

100% Online

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Overview

Education Administration, Educational Specialist -

Executive Superintendency

Executive Superintendency is a track in the Education Administration, Educational Specialist degree program.

This intensive, four (4) semester, 30 credit hour, online program begins with a new cohort each Summer. Students will take courses and receive instruction online, and will apply concrete skills within their own building and district settings throughout the program.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Candidates who currently have principal certification and building-level administrative experience will study administrative best practices and use skills within their own building and district settings to learn, create and lead supportive learning environments. Through this program, degree candidates will demonstrate their competence across a broad range of district issues such as instructional leadership, organizational development, fiscal and legal compliance, personnel management, community engagement, professional ethics and responsibility, professional development, internal/external interpersonal relationships and effective communication.

This degree program aligns with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Leadership Standards for superintendent certification. 

Employment of school superintendents is projected to grow up to 10% to 2030, with a median annual salary of $98,490, according to wage and employment data from the Occupational Information Network.


98,490

Median annual salary

10

Employment growth by 2030

Career Opportunities

  • Superintendent

 

Plan of study

 

Semester Course (Institution) Credit Hours
Summer 1 EDUL 5626: Theories in Educational Administration (UMKC) 3
Summer 1 ED ADM 6403: Public School Relations (UMSL) 3
Summer 1 EDUL 5628: The Superintendency (UMKC) 3
Fall ED ADM 6402: School Personnel Administration (UMSL) 3
Fall ED ADM 6301: Education Policy Analysis (UMSL) 3
Fall Internship* 1-2
Spring ED LPA 9424: Superintendent: Instructional Leadership (MU) 3
Spring EDUL 5627: Advanced Educational Supervision (UMKC) 3
Spring Internship* 1-2
Summer 2 ED LPA 9435: Superintendent - Legal leadership and Management (MU) 3
Summer 2 ED LPA 9420: Superintendent - Fiscal Leadership and Management (MU) 3
*Students must take a total of 3-4 credit hours from your home institution:
  • ED ADM 6903: Superintendent Field Experience (UMSL)
  • ED LPA 9471: Internship in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (MU
  • EDUL 5575: Internship in Educational Administration (UMKC - 4 hours)
Total Credit Hours 30

All majors must meet the general education requirements of the university in addition to completing degree-specific curriculum requirements.

Review Full Degree Requirements

Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Student Organizations – UMSL is home to many student organizations with many serving graduate students. This includes graduate organizations in business, creative writing, psychology, biology and more in addition to graduate honors societies and student veterans organizations.

Career Services – Students have access to professional career counselors who can assist in everything from resume development and interview preparation to lining up an internship or connecting you with your next fulltime career. UMSL alumni also enjoy high quality, lifelong career management programming, services, events and resources to assist in all phases of career development.

Networking – with the largest alumni network in the region, UMSL graduate students have access to leading professionals engaged in business, research, entrepreneurship, non-profit, government, community organizations. Our academic units engage this network in curriculum development to ensure our graduate students gain the skills needed to advance along their choose career path.

Research – There are many opportunities for graduate students to showcase their research including our annual Graduate Research Fair, which is open to students from all graduate programs. Doctoral and thesis master’s students can also compete in the Three Minute Thesis challenge to be evaluated by a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes. 

College of Education

UMSL College of Education transforms lives.

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The UMSL College of Education shapes the educational landscape in the St. Louis region, advances educator quality and professional development in Missouri, and is recognized nationally as a leader of vital research and as a hub of innovation. Whether you’re a first-time college student, a career-changer or a seasoned educator seeking additional professional learning and qualifications, the College of Education has much to offer you. Join a warm, supportive and collaborative environment that will help you explore and grow for a meaningful career in education.

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The College of Education's comprehensive and rigorous curriculum prepares teacher candidates to be highly successful educators. Students complete a year-long practicum experience in a local school or in one of our dozens of area Studio Schools located throughout the region. Practicum incorporates our innovative ResponsiveDesign™ model, our Inquiry Into My Practice approach as well as informative on-campus seminars - all designed to ensure that each teacher candidate is fully prepared for certification and has a promising future as an effective educator. UMSL also offers exciting pathways to become a counselor, principal or superintendent as well as professional certificates to advance your career.

College of Business at UMSL Faculty

Faculty focused on your future.

College of Education faculty have been educating the next generation of leaders more than 50 years. With decades of collective teaching experience, our faculty provides students with world-class education, hands-on experience and innovative curriculum to become an in-demand educator. As a research-focused university, we strive to provide modern, practical training that prepares our students to lead in the classroom from day one.

College of Education at UMSL Faculty

Join a network of professionals.

The College of Education has prepared over 20,000 educators for service – more than any other university in the region. We have had the privilege of educating truly remarkable students. Among all undergraduate students who have graduated in the last four years, more than half have been first generation college students. For our adult learners – whether undergraduate or graduate – Great Value Colleges has highlighted UMSL’s commitment to nontraditional students, ranking the university 5th nationally in its “50 Best Colleges for Adult Education” survey. UMSL education alumni make up a strong network of noble educators, counselors, administrators and scholars motivated to transform the lives of others and advocate for all.

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#1

in Missouri for affordability
(Business Insider)

#1

Online College in Missouri
(Forbes 2024)

60+

non-degree certificate programs

#1

transfer destination in St.Louis

#5

nationally for adult education
(Great Value Colleges)

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