Program Overview
Become a Superintendent to Have A Greater Impact on Learning
Aurora University’s online Superintendent Endorsement program takes you through 13 courses of rigorous, ISBE-approved coursework to prepare you for excellence at every level as a school superintendent of K-12 schools and to sit for the Superintendent Endorsement exam.
Be ready to advance the learning of students with a variety of needs at all levels of their academic career with coursework that includes curriculum development and assessment for all students in K-12 schools.
Prepare to support your students, staff, and parents and to protect your schools by learning how to identify and solve issues in the district as you study organizational theory, law, HR, and coaching and mentoring.
Additionally, you’ll learn about policy and finance at the district level so you can prepare adequate budgets and set realistic goals.
Experienced faculty act as mentors throughout the program and are dedicated to helping you secure your internship. Classes are small, typically between 10 and 12 students, so you’ll get the individualized attention you need to succeed throughout the program.
You complete the program with 31 hours, including a superintendent internship in an Illinois School District.
Get StartedProgram Details
- Next Start Date:January 6, 2025
- Est. Program Length:2 Years
- Credit Hours:31
- Course Length:8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$670
Course Offerings
To earn the Superintendent Endorsement, students must complete all 10 courses and sit for the exam.
- EDU7133 Organizational Theory & Change Management (4)
- EDU7325 Curriculum and Assessment for K-12 Regular Education (3)
- EDU 7330 Equity, Ethics, and Excellence in School District Leadership Intensive I
(1) - EDU7335 Advanced School District Finance (3)
- EDU 7340 Equity, Ethics, and Excellence in School District Leadership Intensive II (1)
- EDU7345 Advanced Operations and System Management (3)
- EDU 7350 Equity, Ethics, and Excellence in School District Leadership Intensive III (1)
- EDU7355 Curriculum and Assessment for Special Populations (3)
- EDU7365 Advanced School Law and Human Resources (3)
- EDU7510 Superintendent and Policy (3)
- EDU7715 Illinois School District Superintendent Internship 1 (2)
- EDU7725 Illinois School District Superintendent Internship 2 (2)
- EDU7735 Illinois School District Superintendent Internship 3 (2)
Internships
When you enter the program, you’ll be assigned a faculty advisor and an internship supervisor. You’ll complete a series of activities throughout a 365-day internship in a PK-12 setting — most of our students complete this in their own district.
We start this program three times a year in the spring, summer and fall. Applicants to the online Superintendent Endorsement program must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Required content for the admission portfolio includes:
- A completed Graduate Application for Admission.
- Transcripts (official, sealed in envelope) showing completion of an appropriate master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Aurora University accepts official electronic transcripts at AU-Etranscripts@aurora.edu.
- The names and addresses of at least two references. Possible references to consider include:
- A person familiar with your academic work/previous master’s program professor.
- A person familiar with your professional work, such as a principal, department chair, etc. (not the same person as below).
- A person representing your school district or employer who can assess your leadership potential.
- A curriculum vitae or detailed resume that includes your work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors, professional publications and/or presentations, and other relevant information relating to your leadership background.
- A personal statement, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 words in length, describing your present goals and interests and showing their connection to prior experiences and to the EdD program.
- Qualified applicants must be in an administrative role that requires one of general administrative, principal, director of special education or CSBO licenses for two years or more.
Upon submission of a completed admissions portfolio, applicants must complete an interview with members of the School of Education faculty and submit a timed writing proficiency.
All AU Online students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU Online uses Moodle to host its online classes. All students will be charged an $80 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken.
Transferable course credit is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an enrollment counselor for more details.
Online Superintendent Endorsement in Illinois Career Outcomes
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois is listed as one of the top five states with the highest level of employment in K-12 education administrators and states the annual mean wage is $105,660 in the Chicago/Naperville/Elgin area.
Next Steps
Apply Today
Fill out the free application to get started in the online endorsement courses.
Apply Now
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