Southern Illinois University

The Superintendent Preparation Program prepares students to be competent, dedicated and caring individuals who are ready to assume the responsibilities of a school district superintendent. Students develop skills and aptitudes that will enable them to continue their professional growth and education throughout their careers.​

Southern Illinois University Superintendent Preparation Program

The Superintendent Preparation Program prepares students to be competent, dedicated and caring individuals who are ready to assume the responsibilities of a school district superintendent. Students develop skills and aptitudes that will enable them to continue their professional growth and education throughout their careers.​ 

Key Benefits

  • Earn your Superintendent Endorsement in just two years — after completing 30-33 credit hours of required coursework including a three credit hour internship.
  • Get a solid grip on school finance — The partnership with Illinois ASBO means that you will learn school finance from the brightest minds in the field in school business administration.
  • Apply your knowledge in a capstone internship — Complete at least 180 hours over one year that demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge, skill, and dispositions acquired in the program.

Admission Requirements

  • Graduate School Application and Educational Administration and Higher Education Department Application
  • All undergraduate and graduate college transcripts
  • A minimum of a 3.25 graduate GPA on coursework for a master’s degree or equivalent
  • A copy of a valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License with general administrative, principal, director of special education or CSBO endorsement
  • Basic Skills Test OR Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) AND either GRE or GMAT
  • At least two years full-time experience as a principal, director of special education or CSBO
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
  • A writing sample, preferably a graduate course paper

For questions about the program, please email Dr. Judith A. Green.


View the program on the SIU website.

Learn More

Due to this unique partnership, students enrolled in these programs will automatically become members of Illinois ASBO and receive all of the benefits afforded practicing school business officials in Illinois. 

Illinois ASBO Membership Benefits

Sample Course Sequence

Year One
Summer
  • EAHE 550 – School Business Administration
  • EAHE 556 – The School Superintendent and Board of Educatio
 Fall
  • EAHE 557 – Program Development and Evaluation
  • EAHE 551 – Policy and Politics in American Education Systems
 Spring
  • EAHE 555 – The School Superintendent and Board of Education
  • EAHE 543 – Professional Negotiation
Year Two
Summer
  • EAHE 558 – Personnel Evaluation and Administration
  • EAHE 520 – Current Issues in Educational Administration
  • EAHE 523 – Effective Management and Operations: Finance, Facilities, Technology & Grant
 Fall
  • EAHE 597 – Superintendent Internship
  • Elective: EAHE 564 –Seminar in Ethics and Social Justice in Education
 Spring
  • EAHE 597 –Superintendent Internship
  • Elective: EAHE 538 –Education and Social Forces
  • Elective: EDUC 511 – Philosophical and Cultural Foundations of Education

School Business Administration at Another Level

"I chose the program because of the positive learning experience that I had in the Principal's Program. The Superintendent Preparation Program has not disappointed! It has taught me about school business administration at another level.

The school finance component gave me insight and skills on the business aspect of schools. Participating in hands on activities surrounding the evaluation of past budgets and the process of formulating a new budget are skills that will not only make me a more well rounded principal, but one day a great superintendent.”

– Daniel Booth
Principal
Carbondale Community High School