EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Preparation)

The Walden University EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration program is approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators to recommend graduates for licensure as principals in Minnesota (for candidates meeting all Minnesota requirements) and by the Ohio Board of Regents (for candidates meeting all Ohio requirements). Candidates must select if they wish to pursue Minnesota or Ohio licensure requirements before the end of their first course in the program. However, before Walden can recommend a candidate for licensure, he or she must successfully complete all components of the program, pass the required state testing requirements, and ensure the proper background checks are current with the state licensing agency.

Individuals interested in becoming licensed as a principal in states other than Minnesota and Ohio may qualify for a comparable license by completing Walden’s state-approved educational leadership program; however, individuals must review their current state licensure requirements to ensure that completing the Walden principal preparation program will meet the requirements of their state. Graduates in some states will be eligible for licensure based on completion of a state-approved program, where they can apply directly to their state educator board (“direct apply”). Other states have a separate application and process for someone completing an out-of-state approved preparation program (“license-in-hand pathway”), where in order for a graduate to be eligible for licensure or certification, he/she must first obtain a license in an approved state (Minnesota or Ohio) prior to applying for licensure in his/her state of residence.

Prospective students must research their state licensure requirements to determine (1) if they are required to complete a state-approved licensure program to be eligible to apply directly to their state board, (2) if they need to obtain a license from the state where the program has been approved (MN or OH) prior to applying in the state they reside, and (3) any additional requirements the student will need to complete prior to their state granting the license. Students residing in Minnesota and Ohio are eligible to apply directly to their state board, as Walden’s EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration program is approved in both states. Additionally, prospective students are advised if they choose to relocate to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Individuals enrolling internationally must be supervised by an administrator with a valid US state administrator license, in a school that follows a US-based curriculum at the appropriate grade levels. Prospective students must check that the program is accepted for an administrator credential in the state they intend to apply for licensure.

Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information on state licensure; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all current state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement.

Please refer to the chart below for state professional licensure eligibility status for Walden’s EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Preparation) program. Please remember that licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice, and prospective students should visit their state board’s website for the most updated and accurate information.

Check with your state. Licensure and endorsement requirements vary by state and are subject to change. For specific guidelines regarding teacher licensure and endorsements for the state where you will teach, please contact our advisors at 1-866-492-5336 and your state’s department of education. Be sure to inquire whether you are required to complete a state-approved licensure program, and determine if there are any other requirements that apply, especially requirements pertaining to programs provided by out-of-state (except Minnesota or Ohio, depending on the program) or online institutions.

For more information on eligibility for licensure, candidates should contact [email protected].

State-Required Disclosures

Some states require specific notifications to students interested in certain programs offered in their respective states. For all prospective students interested in Walden’s College of Education programs, please see below for required statements.

• Note to all Alabama residents:
  State Authorization to provide a program related to the preparation of teachers or other P-12 school/system personnel does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate. Applicants who complete an educator preparation program at a non-Alabama institution must apply for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate through the Alabama Certificate Reciprocity Approach. Current requirements may be found at www.alsde.edu.

• Note to all Minnesota residents:
  Students who wish to pursue licensure as an educational leader who reside in Minnesota are not eligible for admission into the MS in Education, Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Program), but should instead enroll in the EdS – Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Program) that is approved by the MN Board of School Administrators to meet requirements for eligibility for licensure as a school principal in Minnesota.

• Note to all Pennsylvania residents:
  Walden University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as leading to licensure. Because this program is not reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, candidates are instructed to apply for Pennsylvania certification as out-of-state graduates of a teacher preparation program.

• Note to all Washington residents:
  Eligibility for initial educator certification in Washington is based on completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. The Master of Arts in Teaching program is approved in Minnesota and is authorized for field placements in Washington by the Professional Educators Standards Board. Even though you may be residing in Washington while in this program, your application for educator certification in Washington will be processed as an out-of-state application. Go to https://www.pesb.wa.gov/educator-pathways/becoming-a-washington-educator/out-of-state-license-transfers/ for more information. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for teacher advancement.

Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information on state licensure; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all licensure requirements in the state they reside. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement.

October 11, 2018