Administrative Licensure

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Administrative Licensure can provide new career opportunities for experienced P-12 teachers who have already earned a master’s degree and also have at least three years of teaching experience. The School of Education offers preparation for three administrative licenses: Principal, Superintendent, and Director of Special Education.

The Administrative Licensure program prepares students for instructional leadership to effectively address changing demographics, focus on results-based education, and address the needs of an increasingly broad range of stakeholders. Students in the program:

grow foundational knowledge through instruction that blends theory and practice;
expand leadership skills through meaningful and relevant curriculum;
develop the confidences necessary for educational leaders assuming the complex duties required in today’s schools and districts.

The state of Minnesota requires administrative licensure applicants to acquire a minimum of 60 credits past a baccalaureate degree, which must include a master’s degree.

Administrative licensure candidates at Hamline complete an Initial Leadership Assessment course that will determine development for collaborative and diversity leadership, as well as to establish a program plan for licensure completion. This also includes an initial competency assessment of the state’s administrative licensure requirements.

The program is offered in a low-residency format that blends online instruction with campus-based instruction.

Administrative License Program Requirements

Fulfillment of a Hamline administrative license includes completion of coursework, 320 hours of field experience, and an electronic portfolio.

Core courses (16 credits)

One licensure-focused course (4 credits)

Field Experience (6 credits)

Principal

Superintendent

Director of Special Education

Electives

The number of electives varies by student, but generally ranges from 0-4 credits. The minimum number of elective credits required is determined by evaluating two factors:

Whether the candidate needs additional coursework to develop leadership competencies; and
If the candidate still needs additional credits to satisfy the state requirement of having 60 credits beyond their bachelor’s degree including a master’s degree.

Transferred coursework may be used to fulfill electives.

Administrative License Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a master’s degree, hold a teaching license, and have three years of teaching experience. (Applicants may also satisfy MN Rule Chapter 3512.0700, subpart 4).

To apply for admission, please submit the following to Graduate Admission (www.hamline.edu/graduate/admission/hse.html):

Completed online application (no fee for U.S residents).
A current Minnesota educator license.
A current résumé or curriculum vitae, verifying at least 3 years of classroom teaching experience to meet licensure requirements.
A one-page personal statement that addresses why you aspire to be an educational leader.
Official transcripts from each nationally or regionally accredited college or university attended with a GPA of at least 3.0, including a transcript of a completed master’s degree. These should be sent directly from the institution(s) to Graduate Admission or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. You do not have to provide transcripts for courses taken at Hamline University.
Three letters of recommendation written by people unrelated to you who are familiar with your academic and/or professional history, detailing your specific qualifications as an educational leader.

Provisional admission: If you have a GPA of 2.5-2.9, you may be considered for provisional admission. Please provide a one to two page written reflection indicating your plans for meeting the Hamline GPA requirements if admitted to the program. Applicants who have successfully completed a master’s degree (GPA >3.0) are exempt from the provisional review process.