Information for New Students

PK-12 Principal and Career Technical Education Principal Certification

Our program is a 24-hour, cohort-based program that culminates in a second master’s degree and Level 1 School Principal certification. Admission requirements include:

1. a master’s degree,
2. three years of teaching experience,
3. successful completion of an application and interview during the recruitment period, and
4. a letter of support and MOA from your school district.

Cohorts are offered at the main campus and at our regional sites (Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Henderson). Starting fall of 2018, a statewide web-based cohort will be offered. Cohorts are structured with 6 credit hours per semester for 4 consecutive semesters. 

Supervisor of Instruction, Director of Special Education and Director of Pupil Personnel

Our central office endorsements are built upon the school principal endorsement. Admission to these endorsement programs requires that you have either a Masters in Education Administration or already hold an endorsement in one administrative area and will simply be adding another. For new students, this means that you will need to start in one of the cohorts and complete the Master’s degree prior to entering into these endorsements. Courses for these endorsements are offered as ‘stand-alone’ and not through a cohort. Starting fall 2018, the Ed.S. will bridge to the Ed.D. in p-20 and community leadership, providing students with the opportunity for a streamlined matriculation to the doctorate degree.

School Superintendent

The school superintendent is a 12-hour program. Admission to the program requires three years of teaching experience, two years of successful leadership experience and a recommendation from your district superintendent. 

Option 6 of the Alternative Routes for Administrator Certification

Murray State University provides an alternative route to administrator certification for all administrative certificates.  The Option Six program requires concurrent enrollment in the appropriate certification program.