Admission Criteria
The master’s degree (concentration) and certificate programs in educational leadership are designed for practicing school personnel who aspire to be educational leaders.
Certificate in Educational Leadership
Candidates who already have a master’s degree and seek to add the Virginia Endorsement as a school administrator to a teaching certificate, may apply through The Graduate School for the Educational Leadership certificate. Additionally, candidates must secure a passing score on the SLLA, Virginia’s administrative licensure examination, to gain the administrative licensure from the DOE.
To apply to the certificate program, students must:
- Submit a completed application and the application fee
- Be a licensed teacher in Virginia
- Have at least three years of preK-12 teaching experience
- Possess a master’s degree in an education-related field
- Submit official transcripts for all coursework in higher education
- Students who did not complete an M.Ed. degree as their master’s program must take EDUC 641 or equivalent as a prerequisite prior to admission
Additional Information
Refer to the JMU Learning, Technology and Leadership Education website for additional information.
Licensure Requirements
A candidate who has the appropriate teaching license, who completes the aforementioned program and who achieves a passing score on the School Leader’s Licensure Examination is eligible for endorsement in PK-12 administration and supervision in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
This program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While it might meet requirements in other U.S. states or territories, JMU makes no guarantees or promises that it does and thus cannot enroll a prospective student who intends to seek licensure and employment outside of Virginia. However, per Federal Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32), if you will be located in a state other than Virginia while participating in the program, and attest that upon successful completion of this program you plan to pursue licensure and employment in Virginia in a related field, you will be eligible for enrollment.
