Administrator/Superintendent and Director of Special Education Preparation Programs

Administrator/Superintendent and Director of Special Education Preparation Programs

Students who complete the 9-credit hour Administrator/Superintendent preparation program are eligible for a Colorado Administrator License. Students who complete the 9-credit hour Director of Special Education preparation program are eligible for a Colorado Director of Special Education License. Course content is based upon the Colorado Administrator Licensure and Director of Special Education Licensure standards and is approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

As an active participant in this program, you will:

• Develop as a leader through expanded self-knowledge and worldview.
• Learn how to guide an educational team as they integrate recommendations from research with an assessment of the needs of a school community and create a plan for student success.
• Explore the political and social implications of schooling and the educational requirements of a diverse, democratic, multicultural society.
• Discover how technology can be utilized to enhance management and communication.
• Develop school management competencies and leadership strategies.
• Enhance your ability to ignite and inspire others!

To be eligible for the Administrator/Superintendent License from the Colorado Department of Education, candidates must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
• Completed a principal license preparation program
• Pass the Colorado-approved content exam
• Complete a program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of school administrators

To be eligible for the Special Education Director License from the Colorado Department of Education, candidates must:

• Hold bachelor's or higher degree in special education, master's degree in speech-language pathology, or post-graduate degree in school psychology;
• Have two years' experience with students with special needs;
• Complete a program from a regionally accredited institution for the preparation of special education directors; and
• Pass the Colorado-approved content exam

Please be sure to review the CDE licensure requirements for both administrator and special education director licensing at this link:  https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/adminrequirements

Administrator/Superintendent License (9 credits)

Special Education Director License (9 credits)

Students interested in completing both licenses must complete 12 credit hours (LEAD 6860, LEAD 6870, LEAD 6875, and LEAD 6880)

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission - program begins each Fall semester

Program Admission Checklist

1. Complete an application with the UCCS Graduate School here -  Admission Details page.
   • On page 1 of the application, select interest in graduate level certificate program.
   • On page 2 of the application, under select the degree program, select Education Endorsement Licensure.
   • Then select the program concentration.
2. Identify the contact information for one individual who can provide a reference (letters are not required). Choose your reference carefully. We recommend a person who has been in a position to supervise and/or evaluate your work.
3. Prepare a Career Goals Statement (see details below).
4. Current resume (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable).
5. Colorado background check or proof of current Colorado teaching licensure. *International applicants only complete the background check if they have lived in the United States for more than one year. To complete the Colorado background check please see instructions below:
6. Submit the results online through the application portal or send to education@uccs.edu
   • Visit the Colorado State's Background Check website
   • Click on Individuals
   • Pay the $6.00 fee to receive the results
   • Submit the results online through the application portal or send to education@uccs.edu
7. Submit any degree-granting transcripts. Send these directly to the UCCS Admissions Office (see details below).
    

Goal Statement
In your goal statement, please describe why you have applied to your respective program and want to be a professional educator. Please be sure to include personal and professional information that supports this decision. Your statement should be at least two pages in length, double spaced. Make sure to include your name and the program you are applying to in your goal statement.
 

Official Transcripts
Domestic applicants: Have an official transcript from all higher education institutes that granted a degree (undergraduate and graduate GPA must be included on transcripts), sent from the institution you attended directly to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Office of Admissions (electronically or by postal services). 

• Postal Services: 
  UCCS Office of Admissions 
  1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
  Colorado Springs CO 80918-3733
   
• Electronically:
  ugapp@uccs.edu

International applicants: 

All English as Second Language (ESL) applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency for admission. See the English Proficiency Requirement webpage for more information.

Applicants with any post-secondary course work from an international higher education institution that is recognized by their country's Education Ministry must submit a course-by-course foreign degree evaluation by member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/members), AACRAO (https://www.aacrao.org/) or World Education Services/WES (https://www.wes.org).

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

Scholarships

During the 2025/2026 academic year, the UCCS College of Education Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations will award eight students with a $1000 scholarship each as they seek administrator or special education director licensure.

If you are interested in a scholarship opportunity to support your financial needs during your participation in the Administrator or Special Education Licensure Program during the 2025/2026 academic year, and if you have applied and been accepted to our program, please complete the application below by July 25, 2025 and return it to Karin Reynolds, Assistant Teaching Professor and Advanced Licensure Faculty Director, via email at kreynol3@uccs.edu. Please send the following application information:

1. Name
2. Title
3. School District/BOCES
4. # of years in education
5. Briefly share the roles that you have served in K-12 education
6. Are you financing your tuition personally or is your tuition being subsidized by your school or district?
7. In 500 words or less, please share the reason that you wish to become a special education director or district level administrator. What led you to participate in this program and to seek a license in your chosen area?
8. In 500 words or less, please share your hopes for the next steps along your leadership journey. What do you hope to do after you complete your licensure?