Fully Online Superintendent License Program
The Baldwin Wallace superintendent license program is 100% online and designed for principals and administrators who are seeking an initial superintendent license. The program includes access to experienced superintendents and other district leaders with expertise in district-level leadership. Live sessions and panel discussions are embedded in courses and/or offered as special events. Students will graduate from the program prepared for district leadership roles, including the superintendency, through targeted experiences on-site in districts and with a collection of evidence to share as part of the interviewing process.
The program is aligned to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) 2022 Initial Program Standards. Course content is aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation Program — District Level (NELP) Standards.
Program Features
- The program is 15 credits (four courses + three 1-credit internships) designed to be completed in one academic year with classes offered in fall, spring and summer terms.
- Students have the option to begin the program in fall, spring or summer.
- As a part-time program, the curriculum is designed for your convenience through 100% online classes with opportunities to engage with peers as well as practicing superintendents through live online panels and discussions.
- Complete an internship in your school district under an approved district mentor as part of your leadership program requirements. The three 1-credit internships are designed to be completed concurrently with courses focused on strategic planning/school improvement, instructional leadership, operations and management, but may be deferred until after coursework is completed.
- Upon successful completion of the program and after meeting all of Ohio superintendent licensure requirements, candidates are eligible to apply for the superintendent license and have it dated July 1 of the academic year of program completion.
Superintendent License Curriculum
- Course Outline
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The program consists of four courses, with three 1-credit internships aligned to course content.
Semester Course Fall EDU 601 Focus on Student Learning
EDU 604 InternshipSpring EDU 602 School District Focus
EDU 605 InternshipSummer EDU 600 Superintendency in the 21st Century
EDU 603 InternshipFall EDU 606 District Decision-Making for Evidence Based Improvement Note: A candidate may begin the program in any semester and continue in the next three semesters to completion.
The 015 OAE Assessment (required for the principal’s license) is also required for the superintendent license. No additional exams are required.
- Course Descriptions
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EDU 600: The Superintendency in the 21st Century (3 semester hours)
This course is aligned with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards (RA1.1), National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Standards (1-2), Ohio's Standards for Superintendents (2008) (1-2) and the administrative knowledge, dispositions, and performances needed in today’s diverse school district environments. This course includes: vision building; continuous improvement planning; use of data; and strategies for achieving district goals; communication and collaboration skills; policies and governance of the school district; community collaboration; governance issues; school board development and relations; policy and strategy development. The candidates will be expected to have a working knowledge of all standards and will apply that knowledge through research, applied activities, simulations, and reflections. Special topic speakers and panels of practicing building/district leaders from the field are included as part of the periodic live virtual sessions.This course includes: vision building; continuous improvement planning; use of data; and strategies for achieving district goals; communication and collaboration skills; policies and governance of the school district; community collaboration; governance issues; school board development and relations; policy and strategy development.
EDU 601: The Focus on Student Learning (3 semester hours)
This course is aligned with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards (RA1.1-1.3), National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Standards (3-4), Ohio's Standards for Superintendents (2008) (4) and the administrative knowledge, dispositions, and performances needed in today’s diverse school district environments.) and the administrative knowledge, dispositions, and performances needed in today's 21st century learning environment. The candidates will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to evaluate, develop, and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, data systems, supports, and assessment. This course includes: a focus on quality instruction; creation of a comprehensive assessment system; high-quality professional development; standards-based instruction; professional development; research-based/evidence-based practices. Special topic speakers and panels of practicing building/district leaders from the field are included as part of the periodic live virtual sessions.
EDU 602: The School District Focus (3 semester hours)
This course is aligned with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards (RA1.1-1.4), National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Standards (5, 6, 7), Ohio's Standards for Superintendents (2008) (2, 3, 5) and the administrative knowledge, dispositions, and performances needed to lead and manage the complex resources and stakeholder interactions of today's school districts. This course includes topics related to the cost effective management of district resources: materials; human capital management; district facilities and operations; fiscal resources; buildings and transportation. Topics also include: school law and finance; ethics; staff evaluation; board policy; advocacy; and board relations. Special topic speakers and panels of practicing building/district leaders from the field are included as part of the periodic live virtual sessions.
EDU 603, EDU 604 and EDU 605: The Superintendent Internship (1 semester hours per course; 3 semester hours total internship experience)
The internship runs parallel to the coursework in EDU 600, EDU 601 and EDU 602. All competencies and content knowledge developed through the coursework are applied and implemented in the internship experiences. The internship is designed to be supported by the candidate's superintendent and his/her designee. A university supervisor is also a member of the support system. With prior approval, the internship sequence may be deferred until after coursework is completed.
EDU 606: District Decision Making for Evidence-Based Improvement (3 semester hours)
This course is aligned with the 2022 Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards (RA1.1), 2018 National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Standards (1, 4, 6), 2008 Ohio's Standards for Superintendents (1, 4, 5) and the administrative knowledge, dispositions, and performances needed to lead and manage the complex decision making processes faced by today's district school leaders that must be grounded in research and evidence. This course includes: data analytics, decision science, data visualization, data tools, district decision making (functional and strategic), educational data mining, school evidence-based improvement. Special topic speakers and panels of practicing building/district leaders from the field are included as part of the periodic live virtual sessions.
- Prerequisite Qualifications
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To be accepted into the BW superintendent license program, candidates must:
- Have a master's degree.
- Have a principal license or administrative specialist license.
- Currently serve as a principal or administrator. Exceptions may be considered.
- Qualifications for the Superintendent License in Ohio
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An educator who is interested in applying for a professional administrator license must meet the qualifications outlined below in Ohio administrative rules. Visit the Ohio Department of Education for full details.
- Earn a master's degree from an accredited university.
- Complete an approved preparation program.
- Receive a recommendation from the dean or head of teacher education at the institution where he or she completed the preparation program.
- Complete the Ohio Assessment for Educators licensure exam #015, Educational Leadership, prescribed by the State Board of Education.
- Have three years of successful experience in a position as a principal or administrative specialist while holding the respective license.
- Academic Calendar
Tuition and Financial Aid
- Tuition
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2023-24 Tuition
MAEd Program for K-12 Educators Per Credit Hour MAEd Graduate Courses $565 - Tuition Discount
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Baldwin Wallace offers a 10% discount ($509 per credit hour) for educators in school districts that are premier partners. Learn more about our school partnership program.
- Financial Aid and Loans
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BW's Federal ID Code: 003014
Loans
Candidates for BW's superintendent's licensure program may consider pursuing financial support in the form of private education loans, which often have interest rates and repayment options that are as competitive or perhaps even better than the federal loans.
Private education loans are a financing option for teachers who do not qualify for the federal loans due to already having earned a master's degree related to K-12 education. The FAFSA is not required to pursue these loans, but a credit check is typically required. Due to the wide-variety of private education loan offerings, it is advised that you should compare multiple lenders prior to making your decision.
- Application Process
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New candidates begin the superintendent's license program in August. You can apply for admission at any time, however, it is recommended that you apply at least six weeks prior to fall semester.
Baldwin Wallace University welcomes each student’s application for admission and will carefully review the academic preparation and achievements of each applicant. During this process, candidates must provide evidence of their preparation and fit for future success at Baldwin Wallace University consistent with academic standards and code of conduct statements for the University, program, or profession. Candidates for admission are selected based on their academic preparation for a post-master's program; relevant work, community and teaching experience with children and young adults; recommendations from professionals in the field; and personal dispositions/ attributes that support success in an education career. All aspects of an application are considered, and used as the primary means for informing an admission decision. An admission counselor will work with you throughout the application process.
All application materials should be submitted to:
Admission Office
Baldwin Wallace University
275 Eastland Road
Berea OH 44017
graduate@bw.edu
Fax 440-826-2054Required Application Materials
Application
Apply Now (no application fee)
Official College/University Transcripts
Please submit ALL official college/university transcripts. To be considered official, transcripts must be mailed - either electronically or as a paper copy - directly from the college/university attended to the Baldwin Wallace office of admission.
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to admit@bw.edu.
- Paper copies should be sent to:
Admission Office
Baldwin Wallace University
275 Eastland Road
Berea, OH 44017
Colleges and Universities Attended Outside the United States
Candidates who have attended foreign institutions must provide BW with English translated documents as well as an evaluation of courses from World Education Services (WES).
Recommendation
Using the recommendation form within the online applicant portal, please provide one recommendation from your superintendent or their designee holding a superintendent's license. Provide the online recommendation form to your superintendent. Once received by the admission office, this recommendation is confidential and will not be shared with the candidate. The superintendent would need to share those comments with you. Your application may not be fully considered until the recommendation is submitted, so encourage your superintendent to complete this form promptly.
Criminal Record
When applying for admission to BW School of Education teacher licensure programs, candidates are asked whether they have ever been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony that was not expunged or sealed. Candidates with a criminal record that has not been expunged or sealed are not eligible for admission to the teacher licensure programs at Baldwin Wallace University.
BW School of Education verifies that candidates have a clear Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) report and a clear Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report. Forms and details will be provided to all candidates who qualify for admission to the program. Once enrolled, candidates must have the same clear reports prior to any school observation, field experience or clinical practice assignment. Although candidates with an expunged record may be eligible for enrollment and to participate in school placements in BW’s Education programs, an expunged or sealed record may impact a student’s eligibility to qualify for an Ohio teaching license following completion of the program. Eligibility for a teaching license varies by state and may be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the professional teacher licensing board in that state.
- School Partnership Program
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Many students enrolled in BW's MAEd programs are employed by school districts that participate in the BW School Partnership Program, providing them with a simplified application process and other benefits.
Contact
Graduate & Professional Studies Admission
(440) 826-8012, graduate@bw.edu
Department of Education
(440) 826-2166, (440) 826-3779 (fax)
Academic Advisor
Gail Habig, (440) 826-6534,ghabig@bw.edu
Educational Leadership Coordinator
Dr. Michelle Kocar, (440) 826-8539, mkocar@bw.edu