Mar 19, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration (BSA)


The State of Michigan K-12 School Administrator Certification is a state-supported post-master’s professional development option for prospective and current educators who seek enhanced training in school and/or district leadership, management and instruction. This credential, reinstated by legislative approval in 2007, coincides with an ongoing process of Michigan state certification available through designated post-secondary institutions (including Eastern Michigan University) for the Basic (Initial) Certificate in K-12 Administration (school/assistant principal licensure).

The Basic Certificate in K-12 Administration may also be earned as part of the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration (K12A)  or Specialist of Arts in Educational Leadership (EDL)  degree programs at Eastern Michigan University.

Please see online.emich.edu for additional information regarding this online degree program.

Program Admission


  1. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School.
  2. Applicants must have completed a master’s degree from an accredited University with a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. International students must meet the following additional criteria; an official score report from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Test System IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Batter (MELAB) must be sent by the testing service directly to the University. Student score reports, faxes or photocopies will not be considered official. Minimum scores for admission is 550 (Paper-based Test), or 79 (Internet-based Test) for the TOEFL; 77 on MELAB; or 6.5 (or higher) on the IELTS. If the TOEFL is taken, the Test of Written English (TWE) is also required. A Conditional admission may be available to those students falling just below the minimum score requirements.
  4. Applicants must submit recommendation forms from two professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the quality of the applicant’s professional work. The completed forms are due within the online Application for Graduate Admissions. By entering the recommenders email address within the online application, they will be able to upload a letter and the required recommendation form directly to your application. The recommendation form must come directly from your reference.
  5. Applicants must submit a résumé that details their professional and educational experiences.
  6. Applicants must submit the Graduate Application for Admission.
  7. On the graduate application, students must complete the personal statement of accomplishments and academic goals portion describing the reasons for requesting admission. This essay must be a minimum of 250 words and will be reviewed as an indicator of writing ability.

 The admission process for the post-master’s certificate is as follows:

  1. Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  2. The Office of Admissions will receive and gather all required documents. Completed applications that contain the required GPAs, confidential appraisal forms, and the résumé will be forwarded to the coordinator of advising for the educational leadership program.
  3. Completed applications will be reviewed by the faculty review committee. Those applications that include acceptable GPAs, résumé, recommendations, and personal statements will be admitted, assigned an advisor and invited for an advising interview. Applications may be deemed “questionable” due to a combination of low GPA, fair or poor recommendations, poor writing ability and/or statements that are inconsistent with the student’s goals as an administrator. These “questionable” applications will be reviewed by the full faculty, giving special consideration to the student’s life experiences, verbal skills, writing skills, educational background, and GPAs.
  4. Applicants who are accepted will be notified following the admission decision.
  5. All decisions by the faculty regarding admissions are final.

For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head or visit www.emich.edu/coe/lc.

Online Education for Out-of-State Students


It is great that you are considering Eastern Michigan University for your online degree program. Before you apply, though, it is critical that you make sure you are eligible to enroll in a program based in Michigan. EMU is an approved State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Participant. That means EMU can enroll students into online programs who live in any SARA member state without seeking additional authorization from that particular state. 

Check your eligibility to attend EMU: Is your state a SARA member? If yes, you are eligible to enroll in an EMU–Online program. If your state is not a SARA member, you may still be eligible to enroll at Eastern Michigan University. For more information, please click here.

Department Information


Leadership & Counseling, College of Education

Ron Flowers, Ed.D. | Department Head | 304 Porter | 734.487.0255 | rflowers@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Please contact the department for advisor information

Degree Requirements: 23 hours


In conjunction with an approved master’s degree, 23 credit hours are required from among the educational leadership courses listed below. Courses are to be determined and approved by the program advisor, prior to beginning the program. If the candidate has not served in an official capacity as a Principal or an Assistant Principal, the 2 credit hour Administrative Internship is required in addition to coursework.

Additional Program Information


Course Substitutions/Program Changes | Changes in the student’s official program and substitution of courses must be approved by the advisor prior to registration.

Courses Outside the Program | A suggested list of courses has been prepared by the EDLD Program. Other courses may be used for electives in this area if they are approved by the student’s advisor.

Internships | Information is available from the director of the intern program or at http://www.emich.edu/coe/lc . Internship placements should be arranged at least one semester in advance and must be approved by the internship director.

For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head or visit www.emich.edu/coe/lc