Frequently Asked Questions

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Collaborative Website

 

Administrative licensure questions  
for current and future
university collaborative members

 

  • How do I apply for approval to offer one or more administrative licensure programs?

    First, download the Administrative Licensure Program Approval Process document by clicking on the “Downloads” link in the top navigation bar or click here to go there now. The application document takes you step-by-step through the application and approval process.

  • What is the minimum educational requirement for licensure?

    A candidate for licensure as a K-12 principal, superintendent, and director of special education must have earned at least a master’s degree plus enough credits to total 60 beyond the bachelor’s degree. For example if 35 credits were earned in the master’s degree, then a minimum of 25 credits are required to total 60. An earned Educational Specialist or Doctoral degree will also meet the educational requirements. A candidate for director of community education must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved Minnesota preparation program of at least 20 semester credits.

  • What is the “situational observation component.”

    The situational observation component is essentially an exit evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions (competencies) as listed in the Minnesota Administrative Rules. This exit evaluation may contain one or more of the following:

          • objective examinations
          • portfolio reviews by a panel
          • onsite observations.

  • What can be considered “classroom experiences” for individuals seeking superintendent, K-12 principal, or special education licensure and who have no teaching experience.

    Individuals must gain experience and knowledge in curriculum, school organization, philosophy of education, and early childhood education at the elementary, junior high, middle school, and senior high school levels. Below are just a few possible ways an individual can gain such experiences over their required minimum of 1,050 hours of engagement:

    A. Planning, teaching, and evaluating a unit during at least eight weeks of supervised teaching.
    B. Engaging in district and school professional development.
    C. Engaging in district and school curricular and or assessment planning.

    According to Minnesota Rule 3512. 0700, Subpart 4, the teaching internship must:

    A. include one school year with a minimum of 1,050 hours of classroom experiences, including eight weeks of supervised teaching;
    B. be under the supervision of a licensed practicing school administrator;
    C. include supervision provided by educators from an approved school administration program; and
    D. be based on a written agreement between the intern, the approved school administration preparation institution, and the school district in which the internship is completed.

  • Who can serve as a field experience supervisor for administrative licensure?

    Only a licensed, practicing administrator may supervise a field experience in the area for which the supervisor is licensed.

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