Educational Specialist – Superintendent Online

Enhance your ability to think critically and insightfully as a leader in education while preparing to make a difference as a superintendent.

Apply by: 8/11/25
Start class: 8/25/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Why consider the online Ed.S. Superintendent program at Northwest

The Ed.S. – Superintendent online program from Northwest Missouri State University supports the natural progression of leaders in education who want to earn the credentials necessary for superintendency. This education specialist degree prepares you to earn your Missouri Career Administrator Certificate and provides the solid education needed for a leading role in district administration.

In this post-graduate online program, you will learn how to build and sustain partnerships with communities and public/private sectors to promote school improvement while advocating for the needs and priorities of students and families in your district. Profession-based fieldwork is embedded in the course requirements to give you experience and confidence.

For students with an M.S. in Educational Administration or Leadership, use your Ed.S. – Superintendent degree to earn your Missouri Career Administrator Certificate and to qualify for superintendent upgrade. Beyond this program, additional requirements are necessary for licensure.

If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this superintendent program fits the certification requirements for your state.

Graduates of this online superintendent degree program will be prepared to:

  • Help P-12 teachers learn to think critically and insightfully as leaders concerning issues in education
  • Mobilize school and community resources to facilitate the implementation, development and articulation of a shared vision of learning, promoting the success of all student groups
  • Use professional development for self, faculty and staff to foster lifelong learning and the success of students
  • Understand the uses of organizational management, fiscal and material resource management and HR management in creating positive and productive learning systems
  • Build and sustain productive partnerships with communities and public and private sectors to promote school improvement and student development
  • Advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students and families within the community
  • Display positive district-level instructional and clinical practice leadership attributes in diversity, equity and inclusion, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork
Graduates of this online superintendent degree program will be prepared to:
  • Help P-12 teachers learn to think critically and insightfully as leaders concerning issues in education
  • Mobilize school and community resources to facilitate the implementation, development and articulation of a shared vision of learning, promoting the success of all student groups
  • Use professional development for self, faculty and staff to foster lifelong learning and the success of students
  • Understand the uses of organizational management, fiscal and material resource management and HR management in creating positive and productive learning systems
  • Build and sustain productive partnerships with communities and public and private sectors to promote school improvement and student development
  • Advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students and families within the community
  • Display positive district-level instructional and clinical practice leadership attributes in diversity, equity and inclusion, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork

Career opportunities include:

  • Superintendent
  • District Administrator
  • Assistant Superintendent
Career opportunities include:
  • Superintendent
  • District Administrator
  • Assistant Superintendent

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.

Total Tuition $13,080*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

Our Ed.S. – Superintendent online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
Ed.S. Superintendent $436 $1,308 $13,080

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $13,080*
Per Credit Hour $436

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

Northwest online dates and deadlines

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25
Fall 18/25/258/11/258/14/258/18/258/20/2510/10/25
Fall 210/20/2510/6/2510/9/2510/13/2510/15/2512/5/25
Spring 11/12/261/5/261/6/261/7/261/8/262/27/26
Spring 23/9/262/20/262/25/262/27/263/3/264/24/26

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 8/11/25
Next Class Start Date: 8/25/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

Know the requirements for this online Ed.S. program

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Ed.S. – Superintendent online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:

View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:

  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Documentation of ONE of the following:
    • Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate with building level licensure
    • Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE)
    • 3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE®
    • National Board Certification

If you have started and did not finish an Ed.S. program at another regionally accredited university, you may be able to transfer up to nine credit hours. If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.

Northwest students who have completed the M.S. will be assigned new courses for those already taken and will still take 10 classes (30 hours in the Ed.S. program).

Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

A look at the online Ed.S. Superintendent degree curriculum

For the Ed.S. – Superintendent online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare school leaders for effective two-way communication with families and the community. In addition, school leaders will effectively engage families, community and school personnel in strengthening student learning in and out of school. This course will prepare school leaders to build and sustain productive partnerships with communities and public and private sectors to promote school improvement and student development. Finally, this course will prepare school leaders to advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students, families and the community. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the laws of our country as they apply to all phases of the public school. Stress is placed upon laws concerning superintendents, principals, teachers and pupils. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The school superintendent has a distinctive role in curriculum policy. Collaboration is necessary for curriculum policy to be implemented throughout a district for guaranteed and viable curriculum to be equitably implemented allowing student learning success. Emphasis is on the role of the school superintendent in communication with the local board of education in the implementation of the expectations of the state education department. Strategies and processes for oversight and monitoring of curriculum and instruction from the central office are included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to acquaint students with the various functions of the school district superintendency. It is included in the programs of most students completing the Specialist in Education degree.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Responsibility of school administrators, supervisors, and other school personnel for construction, operation, and maintenance of school buildings and equipment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Personnel practices in education are considered along with the implications of collective negotiations and professional accountability for personnel policies. Policies pertinent to the selection and placement, promotion, tenure, and retirement of both certified and noncertified personnel are included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to public school finance. Fundamental principles and techniques of public finance are included with emphasis on budgeting procedures. Activity fund accounting and school bonding procedures are included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Having a two-fold focus, this course treats (1) basic methods of developing and reporting educational research and literature and (2) techniques of interpreting and evaluating educational research and literature. Basic statistical methods are utilized in each of the components. Prerequisite: Ed.S. students only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Involves a field experience in which the student spends periods of time observing and performing various functions associated with school administration and supervision. These experiences should include but not be limited to the following: finance, public relations, educational planning, personnel functions, and federal programs in education. Prerequisites: permission of student's advisory committee and Director of Educational Field Experiences. **MUST BE TAKEN ALONE AS THE LAST COURSE FOR THE EdS SUPERINTENDENT PROGRAM**

Still undecided?

Check out our other education online degree programs.

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

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