Professional Studies Certificate, Administration and Supervision

Become a Transformative Leader Who Elevates School Performance

Online

12 Months

21 Credit Hours

$490 per Credit

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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition, and more.

Prepare for Leadership Licensure Exams With a Flexible Online Program

Gain valuable insight tailored to educational leadership when you earn your Professional Studies Certificate in Administration and Supervision online. This program deepens your knowledge of community engagement strategies and current issues facing schools.

This flexible program prepares you to sit for the SLLA exam and includes a practice test as part of the asynchronous coursework. CAEP-accredited Shenandoah University is a member of NC-SARA, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Certificate Details

No application fee
Flexible, asynchronous courses
11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
College of Distinction for SU’s Division of Education and Leadership¹

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Our Leadership-Focused Curriculum Supports Your Career Advancement

21 total credit hours

Flexibility for working educators

The online Professional Certificate – Administration and Supervision curriculum supports your pursuit of school leadership roles. You must complete a practicum totaling a minimum of 320 hours. Your practicum will be conducted under the supervision of a certified school administrator and a university professor to provide exposure to multiple sites and grade levels with diverse student populations.

Expand your expertise in financial planning, legal issues affecting schools, and conducting observations and evaluations as you prepare for career advancement. This experience-building program intentionally aligns with Virginia licensure requirements.

Online Professional Certificate – Administration and Supervision Courses

ADM 621 Introduction to Administration 3 Credits

This course is an analysis of the role of the building-level administrator with participation in self-assessment activities and simulations designed to provide information about and insight into effective leadership in schools. This three credit hour course introduces the student to the Professional Standards of Educational Leaders (PSEL) and relates those standards to today’s school, political and cultural environments.

ADM 622 Schools and Communities 3 Credits

An examination of the role of the principal with regard to the development and practice of effective school and community relations. Emphasis is on taking a systematic approach to communicating with targeted audiences and on developing personal communication and public relations skills. It includes an examination of successful practices in the interpretation of public attitudes, identification and shaping of public policies, organizing involvement activities and dissemination of information. Particular attention given to working with the news media and elected/ appointed public officials.

ADM 623 School Law 3 Credits

Legal context within which the public schools operate. Rights and responsibilities of teachers and administrators and student rights and restrictions. General principles of school law are supplemented with pertinent provisions of the Virginia statutes and rulings in case law.

ADM 624 School Finance Theory and Practice 3 Credits

Basic school finance theory and practice. Historical development, current trends, future expectations, involvement of various governmental agencies and major problems and constraints of local, state and federal financial support. Special attention is given to building-level financial planning and budget formulation.

ADM 640 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 Credits

The study of American school curricular foundations and trends leads to the design and evaluation of proposed and current curricula. Discussion topics include basic determinants, valid objectives, experiential design, organizational processes, evaluation procedures and systems for changes or improvements.

ADM 641 Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction 3 Credits

This course presents the study of supervision as an effective leadership mechanism to improve instruction. Topics include collaborative problem-solving, supervisory processes, cooperative supervision and methods for improving instruments and techniques of evaluation. The course deals with the challenge of assisting and assessing educational personnel in the conduct of providing effective classroom management and instruction. Students develop an action research proposal as a requirement of this course.

ADM 626 Practicum in Educational Leadership (x3) 1 Credit

This course provides clinical field expereince under the supervision of a practicing school administrator and a university professor. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 320 clock hours total (107 clock hours per credit earned) of a deliberately structured supervised internship that provides exposure to multiple sites (elementary, middle, high, central office, and agency) with diverse student populations. Must be approved by the student’s advisor.

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Build Strategic Leadership Expertise To Positively Impact Schools

Solidify yourself as a proven leader in the world of education with the online Professional Certificate – Administration and Supervision program at Shenandoah. Designed specifically to prepare you for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) exam, this online certificate program is designed to elevate the trajectory of your career.

Apply today and increase your earning potential as an administrator capable of driving community engagement and improving instructional practices.

Advance to Leadership Roles in Education

Principal $123,671 per year²

Curriculum Specialist $67,918 per year³

Value of a Certificate

Upon completion of this dynamic certificate program, you’ll be well prepared to sit for the SLLA examination and seek Virginia administration and supervision licensure. You’ll also possess career-relevant expertise with school finance, curriculum development and evaluation, supervisory processes, and public policy.

Benefit from our flexible online format and inquiry-based coursework that equips you with a strong understanding of strategies for creating collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders. Start building specialized expertise without putting your career on hold by completing this convenient program in as few as 12 months.

Drive Positive Change in Educational Settings When You Learn How To:

Champion a shared vision of learning that promotes the success of all students through ethical, reflective and culturally responsive leadership.
Use data-informed strategies to improve teaching and learning, foster innovation and ensure accountability in diverse educational settings.
Cultivate collaborative relationships with families, staff and community partners to build inclusive, equitable and supportive school cultures.
Effectively manage school operations, public finance and human resources to support high-quality instruction and student achievement.
Apply knowledge of education law, policy and governance to advocate for effective practices and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Continuously assess and refine your leadership approach through self-reflection, feedback and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Apply for the Online Professional Certificate – Administration and Supervision

Application Deadline 08/17/26

Start Date 08/31/26

Take advantage of our streamlined admissions process and flexible online format to begin your online program sooner – and finish in less time. Get started with no application fee or entrance exams and start pursuing your goals. After reviewing the following table to ensure you meet the qualifications, submit your application today.

Online Application Form	Apply Now
Degree and Minimum GPA	Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0. However, applicants with a GPA below a 3.0 are welcome to apply and will be reviewed holistically.
Transcripts	Transcripts from all previously attended institutions are required. Unofficial transcripts can be used for initial admissions review; official transcripts are required prior to enrollment.
Transfer Credits	You may transfer up to 6 credits from an accredited institution.
Additional Requirements	Applicants must have: A current teaching license valid in any U.S. state Goal statement addressing your background and educational goals (2-3 pages) Résumé with two years of teaching experience (three years by completion of the program) One letter of recommendation from a supervisor or administrator

International Students

If you are an international student, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. To do so, you may be required to meet the minimum requirement for one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Fill out a Request for Information form to speak to an engagement specialist and learn more.

TOEFL Minimum Requirement	79
IELTS Minimum Requirement	6.5
PTE Minimum Requirement	53
Duolingo Minimum Requirement	105

Admissions

Add a New Education Credential Affordably

$490 Cost per Credit

21 Total Credits

Maximize the return on your academic investment with the CAEP-accredited online Professional Certificate – Administration and Supervision program. At Shenandoah, we care deeply about helping you achieve all your goals, so we offer highly competitive tuition payable course-by-course. Make your résumé stand out by adding a respected education credential that opens new doors to leadership roles in your school or district.

Tuition & Aid

Sources

Colleges of Distinction. “Shenandoah University.” Retrieved February 26, 2026, from https://collegesofdistinction.com/school/shenandoah-university/.
Indeed. “Principal Salary in Virginia.” Retrieved February 26, 2026, from https://www.indeed.com/career/principal/salaries/VA.
Payscale. “Average Curriculum Specialist Salary.” Retrieved February 26, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Curriculum_Specialist/Salary.