• Completed Masters’ Degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25;
• Hold a current teaching certificate; and
• Hold a current Building Level Leadership License at either the Initial or Professional Level

The K-State program requirements for the Initial Leadership License includes:

• Credits for holding Current Building Leadership License at either the Initial or Professional level: 36 hours
• District license required coursework: 16 – 19 hours
  • EDLEA 801 – Ethical Dimensions of Educational Leadership*
  • EDLEA 834 – Strategies for Educational Change
  • EDLEA 845 – Leadership for Diverse Populations
  • EDLEA 827 – Political and Community Leadership in Education
  • EDLEA 986 – Advanced Seminar: Business/Facility Management
  • EDLEA 901 – The School District Leader
  • EDLEA 902 – District Internship (1 credit hour)

Total Hours Required: 52-55

* If the candidate’s transcript shows completion of EDLEA 801 (or EDLEA 886) – Ethical Dimensions of Leadership or equivalent during the building license program, this requirement has been satisfied. Otherwise, the requirement applies.

Candidates holding masters’ degrees from other universities may be required to take additional coursework beyond the bachelor degree. Candidates interested in district leadership for special education will be advised to also take EDSP 833 – Administration of Special Education Programs.

Candidates from states other than Kansas should check with KSDE regarding status of reciprocity related to license requirements.

For information about the program coursework, please contact Dr. Mischel Miller at mischel@ksu.edu

After completing the K-State District Leadership program components, apply to KSDE for the District Leadership Initial License. KSDE Requirements include

1. Hold a currently valid Kansas professional teaching license at some level (teaching or leadership).
2. Completed master’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25.
3. Complete the Praxis exam for School Superintendent Assessment administered through Educational Testing Services. To have your score sent to Kansas State University, enter code #6334 when registering for the Praxis test.
4. Have recent teaching experience or coursework (i.e., at least one year of teaching or 8 credit hours within the last six years).
5. Verify five years of experience in a state-accredited school while holding a standard teaching or school specialist license and having achieved the professional-level license.

The Form 1 application can be found on the KSDE website. Please see Step-by-step instructions for Form 1 (PDF).