Two New Paths to Your Superintendent Degree
All courses now available 100% online beginning Fall 2026
Apprenticeship and online
Earn up to nine credit hours through hands-on apprenticeships with partner organizations.
Take any remaining coursework online, on your schedule.
100% Online
Complete all coursework entirely online, on a schedule that works best for your lifestyle.
Why earn the Specialist in Education (EdS), Educational Administration degree at MSU?
- Earn your certification – This program fulfills the standards established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for district leadership.
- Rise to leadership roles – You'll be qualified for roles like superintendent, assistant superintendent, director or coordinator.
- Experience high-quality education, lower costs – MSU has some of the best tuition rates in the region for graduate students.
- Learn from seasoned professionals – Your faculty are former practitioners at the building and district level from both rural and urban school districts.
Superintendent Apprenticeship Program
A new model for superintendent preparation
Missouri State's superintendent apprenticeship is the first program of its kind registered by the U.S. Department of Labor, pairing your superintendent certification and education specialist degree with hands-on experience in Missouri school districts.
We partner with three of Missouri's top education organizations to provide apprenticeship opportunities in school finance, district management and operations:
- Missouri Association of School Business Officials (MOASBO)
- Replaces EAD 866 (School Finance)
- Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE)
- Replaces EAD 862 (Superintendency)
- Missouri School Plant Managers Association (MSPMA)
- Replaces EAD 867 (School Plant and Maintenance)
Contact
For more information about the apprenticeship program, contact Program Director:
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About the program
Helping you be a district leader
Earning a specialist degree (EdS) in educational administration is a key step on your
journey into district leadership. Our program now offers a unique apprenticeship option,
the first of its kind in the nation, where you'll gain real experience in Missouri
districts while earning your degree
Educational Administration, MSEd
Want to enter administration?
Before you can become a superintendent, you need to be a school principal first.
The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) Educational Administration program is designed for aspiring school principals.
You will gain initial certification to serve as a K-12 principal in Missouri schools after completing the program and passing the required DESE assessment for certification.
The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) Educational Administration program is designed for aspiring school principals.
You will gain initial certification to serve as a K-12 principal in Missouri schools after completing the program and passing the required DESE assessment for certification.
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