Career Certification
Be certified to oversee schools
Make sure to complete your degree with the state-designated criteria and credentials.
Qualify as a principal
Earn your certification by completing: 1) the Educational Administration: Administration and Supervision (ELAS) test and 2) the Missouri Professors of Educational Administration (MPEA) assessment.
Want to be a superintendent?
You can increase your impact on education by overseeing entire school districts. Missouri State's superintendent program pairs your certification and education specialist degree with real-world experience in Missouri districts.
The best superintendents don't just study leadership — they live it.
Missouri State partners with the Missouri Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE), and Missouri School Plant Managers Association (MSPMA) to prepare the next generation of district leaders.
Two paths to complete your Superintendent degree
Option 1: Apprenticeship and Online: Earn up to nine credit hours through hands-on apprenticeships with partner organizations. Take any remaining coursework online, on your schedule.
Option 2: 100% Online: Complete all coursework entirely online, on a schedule that works best for your lifestyle.
First in the Nation
Our program is the only apprenticeship registered by the U.S. Department of Labor leading to superintendent certification in the United States. You'll gain hands-on experience in school finance, district management, and operations, working directly in Missouri school districts.
Contact us
For more information about the superintendent certification program, contact Program Director Dr. Kim Finch
