Administrator/School Leader Certification Pathway

Are you ready to lead your students and staff as a building leader? The Admin/School Leader Certification is ideal for those with K-12 experience who want to become certified as a building principal, curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, or other leader in their K-12 institution.

Become a Mission-Driven School Leader with Rockhurst University

Advance your career in education and lead with purpose. Rockhurst University’s Admin/School Leader Certification prepares you to become a licensed K-12 building leader in the State of Missouri. Whether you aspire to be a principal, central office administrator, or another school leadership role, this certification equips you to guide students, educators, and staff with integrity and vision.

Schools need leaders who are innovative, reflective, and ethical. At RU, you’ll develop the skills to navigate today’s dynamic educational landscape while promoting inclusive, high-quality learning environments in diverse communities. Through purposeful coursework and personalized faculty mentorship, you’ll grow as a compassionate, mission-driven leader who inspires others and drives meaningful change.

Flexible Pathways to Certification

You can pursue the Admin/School Leader Certification:

As part of your Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Alongside your Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Or through a standalone, non-degree certification pathway

This 30-credit-hour program includes required assessments, such as the Praxis exam and the Missouri Performance Assessment, which are completed during your practicum experience. Many courses may count as electives within the M.Ed. or Ed.D. programs—so if you’ve already earned one of these degrees, you may be closer to certification than you think.

Personalized Support Every Step of the Way

A Rockhurst advisor will review your transcripts and help you map out your path to certification. You’ll receive guidance tailored to your goals, ensuring you meet all requirements efficiently and confidently.

Required Courses Required Courses Required Courses Contact Advisor

Learning outcomes

Students will learn the importance of mission, vision, and core values, and how these relate to and are communicated to stakeholders, as well as the role of data-driven decision making.
Students will develop and apply instructional school leadership skills to support teacher practices, instruction, and professional growth.
Students will demonstrate managerial school leadership skills in areas such as finance, program management, and safety and facilities.
Students will understand legal aspects and develop skills to oversee compliance with special education programming.
Students will recognize the importance of positive relationships and demonstrate skills to develop a culture of support and respect among faculty, staff, and students.
Students will model flexibility and ethical personal conduct with a commitment to ongoing learning.

Program Outcomes

To lead with vision, mission, and core values within K-12 school communities
To support quality teacher practices, instruction, and professional growth
To create and maintain a culture of support and respect among educators, staff, and students
To manage school operations with stakeholders in alignment with mission and vision

Administrator/School Leader Certification Pathway Careers

Principal

Curriculum Leader or Coach

Instructional Coach

Dean of Students

Coordinator

Athletics or Activities Director

Building Administrator

Assistant Principal

Course Map

This pathway will be listed in the 2026-27 catalog. A list of courses is available below.

Admin/School Leader Certification Pathway Courses

ED 7060: Visionary Leadership

Students will become familiar with the content and skills required to create vision, build and nurture strong organizational culture and lead strategically and effectively. Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary and relevant issues affecting leaders today, and will demonstrate achievement of skills through case studies, simulations, and other applied practices.

ED 7070: Instructional Leadership

Students will become familiar with instructional standards and strategies to effectively lead and manage a school community. Strategies and skills will align with state instructional standards and a variety of adult learning and work-based learning strategies used in other professions.

ED 7080: Management Essentials for School Leaders

Students will be introduced to important aspects of managerial leadership in schools. The course will cover essential aspects of effectively managing schools and school programs, which include maintaining safe and functional grounds and facilities, human resource management, school budgets and financing, and program management.

ED 8111: Practicum in School Administration

The practicum in School Administration is a course designed to help students transfer and make connections between theory and knowledge and real-world leadership practices. Students will develop leadership skills and behaviors through engagement in meaningful activities in the context of a school.

Additional Degree Info

Degree Experiences

The program will culminate with a directed field experience – ED 8111: Practicum in School Administration. In this course, students will be mentored by an experienced leader in the field.

Related Degrees

College of Arts and Sciences