Overview
Program Coordinator: Dr. Margaret Pfaff
Program Delivery Format: Online, 8-week sessions
Total Credits: 18
Average Completion Time: 12 -18 months
Admission Cycle: Fall, Spring, and Summer (two entry points per semester, six options per year)
Admissions Contact: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management (cperry@mcdaniel.edu | 410-386-4833)
GPS Student Support Liaisons: gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu | 410-857-2500
The 18-credit Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Administrator I program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to prepare students for Administrator I certification. Students wishing to pursue this program must have a master’s degree and a valid teaching license. This post-bachelor’s certificate is offered in an online environment; the format is primarily asynchronous; however, some courses may require or offer synchronous (real time) virtual meetings. The program is delivered in 8-week sessions, allowing students to progress through the program in 12 to 18 months on average. The course sequence allows for accelerated completion, taking one course at a time while completing two courses per semester, a popular format for working adults. Students can complete the program in a more accelerated pace taking more than two courses per semester if desired; however, it is not recommended for working professionals.
The program is designed for teachers and professionals who have a master’s degree and hold or are eligible for an Advanced Practice License (APL). The Administrator I program curriculum is designed to provide candidates with opportunities to study and apply theories, standards, and practices in educational leadership and to prepare for leadership positions in public and private schools and schools for special populations. Clearly aligned with Maryland state licensure requirements and recommended highly by educators in the field, the McDaniel College Admin. I program prepares candidates with the knowledge, skills, and qualities that are the hallmarks of outstanding administrators and educational leaders.
Professional Licensure, Maryland Department of Education Approval, and AAQEP Accreditation:
McDaniel College’s online Administrator I Post- bachelor’s Certificate Program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). In order to achieve this level of approval, it is necessary for the courses and the internship to be aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards and the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Post-Baccalaureate Administrator I Certificate program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
This post-bachelor’s certificate is designed to meet the educational preparation requirements for students seeking MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education) Administrator I endorsement. While reciprocity is often granted by other states, this program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. Students are encouraged to consult their state certification offices about additional requirements such as teaching experience, testing, or specific course completion. Students who plan to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Maryland should contact McDaniel College’s Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu and the appropriate licensing board associated with your program of interest for additional information and guidance. Contact information related to teacher education licensure for states outside of Maryland can be found on McDaniel’s website here.
Maryland certification as an Administrator I (assistant principal or supervisor) requires completion of an administrative internship which is a requirement of this certificate and is typically completed at the student’s school site. Unlike the 8-week sessions for prerequisite coursework, the internship is a full 16-week semester experience. MSDE licensure often has additional requirements to include work experience and 3 credits in special education. Those seeking Maryland certification as an Administrator II (principal) following the completion of the Admininstrator I program will also need to achieve a qualifying score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) test.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the program must:
- Complete an application for graduate study
- Submit official transcripts of both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 3.00 GPA*
- Provide a copy of a Maryland teaching or specialist license - Advanced Professional License (APL). Teachers who hold a license or certification from a state outside of Maryland are required to provide a copy of an active teaching license equivalent to the Maryland APL license. Candidates holding a teaching license in Maryland or a license outside of the state which is equivalent to the Maryland Initial Professional Licensure (IPL), Conditional (CL) or Temporary Professional (TPL) license would not be eligible for this program.
- Provide evidence of an undergraduate or graduate course in special education (students may may be admitted without this prerequisite but will be required to take the course as a co-requisite while in the program which must be completed prior to entering the internship).
*Please note: Students who have a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA may be considered for provisional admission on a case-by-case basis but may be required to provide additional documentation and/or participate in an interview. Admission may also come with additional conditions.
Policy on Transfer of Graduate Credit: McDaniel will accept a maxium of 6 graduate credits that meet the following:
a. must be graduate level courses completed within the six-year time limitation
b. completed with a grade of B or higher
c. approved by the Program Coordinator as equivalent to McDaniel’s required courses. McDaniel will not consider coursework taken at other institutions after admission to the program.
International Students:
This program is delivered primarily online and as a result does not meet the federal regulations for international students to study in the US.
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, nursing, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel College’s Professsional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure, please review our Professional Licensure webpage.
Students who complete this program and are seeking Administrator I licensure in the state of Maryland must meet all Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements for this specific certification area in addition to completing McDaniel’s program. Those requirements may include but are not limited to any of the following:
- 27 months of satisfactory performance as a teacher, certified specialist, etc.
- Three semester hours of State-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit in special education
Students seeking Administrator II certification in the state of Maryland must meet the requirements of Administrator I certification and pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA).
More information about MSDE requirements for school administrator certification can be found at marylandpublicschools.org
