Professional Licensure or Certification
Obtaining a Professional License or Certificate with a Master’s in Educational Leadership
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (K-12) prepares school leaders for entry-level roles in K-12 leadership, typically assistant principals, instructional support leadership roles, or special program administrators. The research and standards-based curriculum is framed around Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Standards for Clinical Experiences for the preparation of school leadership.
Educational Leadership (K-12) Licensure and Certification is often complicated and varies across the United States, and it is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. The University of Mississippi School of Education cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement in any state or territory beyond Mississippi. Our program has researched these requirements in every state and territory and will update this information annually. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state, and if you need assistance please reach out to the SAFE Office, by email safe@olemiss.edu, or phone (662) 915-7382.
Search Disclosures by State
| State/Territory | Does NOT Meet Curriculum Requirements | Meets Curriculum Requirements, Allows Direct Application |
Meets Curriculum Requirements, RECIPROCITY |
NOTES | Alabama | Yes | Ala.Code 1975 § 16-23; Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes | Applicants meeting all other requirements for certification, but who lack six (6) semester hours of credit earned during the five-year period preceding the date of application or lack three (3) semester hours of credit in Alaska studies and/or three (3) semester hours of credit in multicultural education or cross-cultural communications, may apply for a non-renewable Provisional Type B Administrative certificate, valid for two years. | ||
| American Samoa | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | Must have three years experience in education. | |
| Arkansas | Yes | If less than three years of licensed experience, exams will be evaluated and waived when similar exams are present. A one year provisional license is available if testing or Arkansas History is required. | ||
| California | Yes | Candidates who are issued a preliminary Administrative Services Credential via Route 1 must complete a Commission-approved Administrative Services Clear Induction program, verify two years of successful, full-time administrative experience with a California employing agency, and obtain a recommendation from the induction program sponsor to qualify for the clear Administrative Services Credential. Enrollment in a clear administrative induction program is expected upon placement in an administrative position but must occur no later than one year from activation of the preliminary credential. | ||
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Colorado is required to evaluate a candidate's application for the content area(s) of preparation, as verified on an approved program verification form, if we issue a comparable or equivalent endorsement. If not, we will work with you to determine the appropriate content area(s). Other endorsements may be added upon application and meeting the requirements for each. | |
| Connecticut | Yes | No reciprocity--Must have 18 hours beyond master's degree | ||
| Delaware | Yes | Delaware Department of Education Official Transcript(s) – Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of a master's degree. Education Requirements - must meet one of the selections below: A master’s or doctoral degree in Pre-K to 12 educational leadership from a regionally accredited college or university with advanced preparation accreditation by NCATE/CAEP; or A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any field and satisfactory completion of an alternative route to licensure or certification program for school principals as provided in 14 Del.C. §§1260 – 1266; or A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area and satisfactory completion of a Department-approved educator preparation program for school principals as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 290 Approval of Education Preparation Programs. Copy of current and valid out-of-state license, if applicable. Form E (Verification of Teaching Experience) – a minimum of five (5) years of certified experience as an educator with satisfactory annual evaluations in any Pre-K to 12 public school setting or equivalent setting as approved by the Department. Test Scores should be forwarded to the Delaware Department of Education electronically upon your request. This certificate area requires one of the following Praxis II Tests: Passing score of 160 on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (ETS Test Code #6011); or Passing score of 160 on the School Superintendent Assessment (ETS Test Code #6021); or Passing score of 151 on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (ETS Test Code #6990); or Passing score of 162 on the School Superintendent Assessment (ETS Test Code #6991) |
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| District of Columbia | Yes | State Superintendent of Education | ||
| Federated States of Micronesia | Yes | Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education - Teacher Certification | ||
| Florida | Yes | |||
| Georgia | Yes | |||
| Guam | Yes | Yes | All persons issued an educational professional certificate who have not completed a three (3) semester credit course in Guam history of culture shall complete one (1) such course during the first year after certification. Failure to meet this requirement shall constitute sufficient cause to cancel the certificate until the deficiency is corrected. | |
| Hawaii | Yes | |||
| Idaho | Yes | |||
| Illinois | Yes | |||
| Indiana | Yes | |||
| Iowa | Yes | Iowa has reciprocity with all states providing education licensure. This means any individual completing a program in your state which leads to education licensure will be granted a similar license in Iowa providing the institution can verify the candidate has completed all requirements for licensure within that state or the candidate can submit an education license issued from that state. | ||
| Kansas | Yes | |||
| Kentucky | Yes | |||
| Louisiana | Yes | |||
| Maine | Yes | |||
| Maryland | Yes | |||
| Massachusetts | Yes | Possession of at least an Initial license in another educational role or Provisional Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license and completion of three full years of employment in a district-wide, school-based, or other educational setting. | ||
| Michigan | Yes | In order to be issued a Standard Teaching Certificate based on completion of an out-of-state program, Michigan does not impose additional educational requirements beyond what Mississippi State would require for its graduates to be recommended for teacher certification in Mississippi. Michigan honors the programs approved for teacher certification by other states for licensure and does not generally impose additional educational requirements for teacher certification beyond completion of a program approved by the educator preparation provider’s home state to lead to teacher licensure. For program completers with less than three years of successful teaching, passage of the appropriate Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification is required. Mississippi State program completers may be issued a nonrenewable one-year Temporary Teaching Certificate in order to complete testing requirements. | ||
| Minnesota | Yes | |||
| Mississippi | Yes | |||
| Missouri | Yes | |||
| Montana | ? | Requirements depend on which license you are going for. Options include: Special Education Supervisor, Superintendent, Principal, and Supervisor. See Details Here. Each has specific requirements. Requirement of all that CAEP, NCATE, or state approved program. | ||
| Nebraska | Yes | |||
| Nevada | Yes | |||
| New Hampshire | Yes | Different Requirements depending on type of administrator: Listed Here | ||
| New Jersey | Yes | |||
| New Mexico | Yes | |||
| New York | Yes | |||
| North Carolina | Yes | |||
| North Dakota | Yes | |||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Yes | |||
| Ohio | Yes | |||
| Oklahoma | Yes | |||
| Oregon | Yes | First Oregon Teaching License | ||
| Pennsylvania | Yes | One must present passing scores on PA required licesnure exams as well as verification of 2 years of experience teaching under the licesnure area along with the standard Mississippi Educator's license. Candidate must also have a 3.0 overall program GPA. There are no provisions for a temporary certificate unless a district chooses to request one on the candidates behalf. Must also have a 3.0 program GPA. Pennsylvania Department of Education | ||
| Puerto Rico | Yes | |||
| Republic of Palau | Yes | |||
| Republic of the Marshall Islands | Yes | |||
| Rhode Island | Yes | Must pass RI licensure but eligible for provisional license while meeting that requirement. Required Document Checklist | ||
| South Carolina | Yes | Reciprocity is granted. South Carolina Department of Education | ||
| South Dakota | Yes | South Dakota Department of Education - Educator Certification | ||
| Yes | Yes | |||
| Texas | Yes | |||
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Yes | Complete a course in U.S. Virgin Islands history within the first year of employment. | ||
| Utah | Yes | |||
| Vermont | Yes | |||
| Virginia | Yes | |||
| Washington | Yes | |||
| West Virginia | Yes | |||
| Wisconsin | Yes | |||
| Wyoming | Yes |
Disclaimer: Although all state licensing boards have been reviewed by the University of Mississippi for program adherence to meet the educational requirements, it is up to each student to review the boards as well and be knowledgeable of all requirements. Some boards require additional tests, or unique state specifications. These requirements are noted here but are also privy to change without notice. (Updated: 11/25/2025)