Online Graduate Certificate in District Leadership

Program structure

Coursework

Classes meet once a week via live virtual meetings, with additional asynchronous coursework that supports the schedules of full-time educators. The program includes 33 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as two years.
Many states require a district leadership credential as part of superintendent licensure. Students should verify requirements with their state department of education.

Program Curriculum

Designed for working PK–12 professionals, the program prepares building administrators for the next step in their careers: leadership at the district level. Students gain a deep understanding of educational policy, finance, ethics, and human resources while developing the skills to guide complex educational organizations. The program includes 33 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as two years.

Required Courses

Please note, this is a potential plan of study. Please consult with your faculty advisor before enrolling. Please note the required courses must be completed and can not be substituted for other courses.

Graduate Admission

The licensure-only route in the School of Education and Human Sciences at KU is designed for individuals who have completed a master’s and/or doctorate in educational administration/leadership and are now considering being licensed as a district level administrator.

To be admitted, you must have:

A current teaching license (with 3-5 years' of experience in schools)
Currently hold a master's or above degree from an accredited program in educational administration/leadership

If you meet these requirements, you will also need to submit:

One letter of recommendation from a current supervisor.
- Applicants are welcome to submit additional letters of recommendation, but this is optional.
- Recommendations are collected via the online application system, and references will receive an email link with instructions to complete a letter of recommendation and survey.
Personal statement showing a clear understanding of how the degree will fit into the applicant's career plans.
Current resume or CV.

Application Deadline

May 1, 2026

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

Apply Online request info