Alva Review-Courier -

Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Graduate Studies Office, along with the Division of Education, are launching a new superintendent certificate for students, working professionals and job seekers starting in fall 2023.

Those pursuing the superintendent certificate must have a master’s degree and building-level (Principal) certification before admission to the program. Hybrid courses are available via Zoom.

Dr. James Bell, vice president for academic affairs, said the certificate program will allow the university to help meet a critical need for qualified superintendents in the region and state.

“The product of two years of research and planning in the Division of Education, the program was designed to align tightly with the state Department of Education and National Educational Leadership Preparation standards, ensuring that program completers will be well prepared to assume their leadership roles,” Bell said.

The certificate program includes a 15-hour curriculum of 16-week and interim courses that include Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Facilities and Operations, The Superintendency, and Superintendent Internship. The program's first cohort will be certified in spring 2024.

"The Division of Education has worked diligently to build a program that not only equips candidates with the skills needed to lead in today’s schools but also caters to the working adult with distance-friendly hybrid courses offered via Zoom," Dr. Jen Oswald, associate professor of education and chair of the Division of Education, said. "This fall’s courses, Fiscal Management and Human Resources, will be taught by current Oklahoma superintendent Jarrod Johnson. Mr. Johnson shares our goal of creating the best school leaders in the state, and he has the knowledge and experience to do so.”

For more information about Northwestern’s superintendent certificate contact Melissa Brown, coordinator of Graduate Studies, at 580-327-8410 or [email protected].