Licensure Programs
K-12 Building Level Administration License
This licensure program prepares individuals for K-12 building level leadership positions such as principal or assistant principal.
Director of Exceptional Needs License
This program is for individuals with least two years of full-time teaching experience and a master's degree in one of the following areas: special education, communication disorders, or school psychology.
Superintendent License
Eight courses beyond those required for Building Level Administration are required for the superintendent license. The holder of this license is also eligible to become building administrator of any school that contains grades in which he or she has at least three years of teaching experience.
Standard License for K-12 Building Level Administration
- IUB, Education 4228, (812) 856-8365
- IUPUI, Education/Social Work 3150, (317) 278-5739
This program is for individuals with a master's degree, a valid classroom teaching license (instructional), and a minimum of two years of classroom teaching experience in a state-accredited school. To be admitted to this program, students are normally expected to have a 2.75 undergraduate and a 3.0 graduate grade point average (GPA); however, other criteria may be taken into consideration if the GPA falls below this requirement. Also, students must submit a goal statement and two letters of recommendation. The committee will evaluate each applicant on the GPA, goal statement and letters of recommendation. The GRE is NOT required for any licensure programs in Educational Leadership.
To receive the K-12 building administration license, individuals who are completing this program and who do not hold a current administrative license are also required to achieve a qualifying score on the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment (see ETS webpage). Candidates for a building administration license must hold a standard teaching license, a proficient practitioner license, or a valid out-of-state equivalent license.
Students admitted through IUPUI must contact Dee Outlaw when ready to apply for licensure. IUB students must contact Sharon Vance when ready to apply for licensure.
Licensure requires the completion of 24 credit hours, at least 12 of which must be taken on the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. Students must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 in all course work taken at Indiana University toward licensure. Since this licensure-only program does not involve the awarding of a degree, regulations governing course recency do not apply.
Individuals completing administrative programs are required by the Indiana Professional Standards Board to complete an induction program during their first two years of service as an administrator. Completion of the two-year induction program will result in eligibility for the five-year Proficient Practitioner license. Questions about licensure can be directed to:
Indiana Department of Education
151 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Toll free: (866) 542-3672
licensinghelp@doe.in.gov
Completion of the following standards-based, performance-driven courses results in fulfilling the Interstate School Leaders Licensure ConsorISLLC standards for educational leaders:
- A500 Introduction to Educational Leadership (3 cr.)
- A510 School-Community Relations (3 cr.)
- A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
- *A624 Educational Leadership: The Principalship K-12 (3 cr.)
- A635 Public School Budgeting and Accounting (3 cr.)
- A695 Practicum in Educational Leadership (3 cr.) This course is currently taken over two semesters.
- *J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum(3 cr.)
- *A515 Educational Leadership: Teacher Development and Evaluation( 3 cr.)
See also the M.S. in educational leadership program, which also meets licensure requirements.
Frequently asked questions.
Director of Exceptional Needs License
This program is for individuals with at least two years of full-time teaching experience and a master's degree in one of the following areas: special education, communication disorders, or school psychology. School psychology and communication disorders majors will require 12 credit hours of special education course work. Special education majors will require 8 credit hours of special education course work. Students interested in this program should call 812.856.8371 or e-mail cwedemey@indiana.edu.
Completion of the following standards-based, performance-driven courses results in fulfilling the ISLLC standards for educational leaders:
Educational Leadership (18 cr.)
- A500 Introduction to Educational Leadership (3 cr.) or
- A653 Organizational Context of Education (3 cr.)
- A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
- A635 Public School Budgeting and Accounting (3 cr.) - this course is preferred or
- A631 Microeconomic Applications to Education (3 cr.)
- A675 Leadership in Special Education Programs (3 cr.)
- A735 Building Unified Systems Inclusive of Student With Disabilities (3 cr.)
- A695 Practicum in Educational Leadership (3 cr.)
Special Education (8 cr./12 cr. for school psychology and communication disorders majors)
- To be selected in consultation with the faculty advisor.
- Should include K525 Assessment and Instruction (3 cr.)
Program Evaluation and Curriculum Assessment (3 cr.)
- J660 Evaluation of School Programs (3 cr.) or
- Y535 Evaluation Models and Techniques (3 cr.)
NOTE A675, A695, and A735 are taken as a group. Students typically complete these courses by December of that year. Monthly meetings are part of this program and meet on a weekday from January - May and September - December typically in the Indianapolis area.
Frequently asked questions.
School Superintendent License
Eight courses beyond those required for Building Level Administration are required for the superintendent license. The holder of this license is also eligible to become building administrator of any school that contains grades in which he or she has at least three years of teaching experience. Candidates must hold a professional teacher's license and must complete an Ed.S. or Ed.D. degree to receive the superintendent license. At least 12 credit hours must be taken on the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. Completion of the following standards-based, performance-driven courses results in fulfilling the ISLLC standards for educational leaders:
- A510 School-Community Relations (3 cr.)
- A608 Legal Perspectives on Education (3 cr.)
- A631 Microeconomic Applications to Education (3 cr.)
- A635 Public School Budgeting and Accounting (3 cr.)
- A638 Public School Personnel Management (3 cr.)
- A640 Planning Educational Facilities ( 3 cr.)
- *A515 Educational Leadership: Teacher Development & Evaluation (3 cr.)
- J630 Curriculum Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- A785 (this requirement may be waived for those with appropriate central office experience)
*A515 was originally E536 and S655.
One course from the following:
- A560 Political Perspectives of Education (3 cr.)
- A600 Problems in Educational Leadership (3 cr.)
- A653 Organizational Context of Education (3 cr.)
- S505 The Junior High and Middle School (3 cr.)
One course in each of the following areas:
A minimum of 12 credit hours in a teaching field and/or fields related to school administration
Frequently asked questions.
*A624 was originally A625 and A627.
*J500 was originally E535 and S503.
*A515 was originally E536 and S655.