EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program Candidate Handbook:

Part II: Licensure Information

A candidate’s state may have specific exam requirements to become a licensed principal. Candidates will need to complete any additional tests their state may require. Refer to the individual state’s department of education to determine the testing requirements. 

Candidates enrolled in this program most likely want to become licensed school principals. There are generally three categories of licensure candidates—those planning to work in (a) Minnesota, (b) Ohio, and (c) another state. Because this program is approved in two states, candidates must select in their first course whether they are pursuing the Minnesota track or Ohio track. It is the candidate’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements; however, Walden provides the following guidance regarding the two tracks.

Candidates who plan to work in Minnesota should complete the Minnesota track. Candidates who plan to work in Ohio should complete the Ohio track. Candidates who live in a state other than Minnesota or Ohio and need to possess an out-of-state license before applying for principal certification or licensure in their state should complete the Ohio track. 

Candidates who live in a state other than Minnesota or Ohio and do not need to possess an out-of-state license can complete either the Minnesota or Ohio track and can apply directly to their state by virtue of having completed a “state-approved program.” 

Candidates are required to select the Minnesota or Ohio track before the end of the first course in the program. Candidates make their selection in the ePortfolio. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review their state’s licensure requirements and application process early and throughout the program, paying particular attention to significant requirements such as having to apply with license in hand, completing a certain number of field hours, or making any proposed changes. 

The following information is designed to help candidates understand what needs to be completed, in addition to the Walden program, to obtain licensure.

Summary of Minnesota Requirements

Before applying for a Minnesota administrative license (K–12 principal), candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Complete 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience while holding a classroom teaching license valid for the position or position in which the experience was granted.
• Complete a specialist or doctoral program or a program consisting of 60 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree that includes a terminating graduate degree and topic preparatory for educational administration, the Minnesota competencies (Appendix A) identified in part 3512.0510, and the NELP standards (Appendix C). The program must be approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators and be offered by a graduate school at a regionally accredited institution. (This requirement is completed when a candidate completes Walden’s EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration [Principal Preparation] program.)
• Complete the field experience component of at least 320 hours or 40 8-hour days, to be completed within 12 continuous months in elementary, middle or junior high, and high schools as an administrative aide to a licensed and practicing school principal. The field experience must include at least 40 hours or the equivalent of 1 week at each level not represented by the applicant’s primary teaching experience. (This requirement is completed when a candidate completes Walden’s EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration [Principal Preparation program.)
• Complete the Minnesota Administrative License Application. The application can be accessed on the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board website (https://mn.gov/pelsb/aspiring-educators/apply/). 
• Request a fingerprint card (if one is not already on file) from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board by emailing pelsb@state.mn.us or calling 651-539-4200 (Option 1). The candidate should include their full name and mailing address in their message.

Applying for Minnesota Licensure

This section is for candidates who would like to obtain licensure in Minnesota because they plan to work in Minnesota or live in a state that first requires candidates to obtain the Minnesota license (license in hand) before applying to that state.

Candidates must complete the Minnesota Administrative License Application located on the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board website (https://mn.gov/pelsb/aspiring-educators/apply/). Candidates must send Section 6 of the application to Walden’s certification officer by emailing it to educlicensure@mail.waldenu.edu. The certification officer will verify the candidate completed Walden’s Minnesota-approved principal licensure program (EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration), including, field experience, situational observations, and exit evaluation. All documents completed by Walden will be returned directly to candidates, which the candidate should then submit to the Minnesota Professional Educator and Licensing Board with all accompanying material.

Summary of Ohio Requirements

This section is for candidates who would like to obtain licensure in Ohio. An educator who is interested in applying for a professional administrator license in Ohio must meet the qualifications outlined in Ohio administrative rule:

• Earn a master’s degree from an accredited university.
• Complete an approved preparation program.
• Receive a recommendation from the dean or head of teacher education at the institution where they completed the preparation program.
• Complete the OAE Licensure Exam 015, Educational Leadership, prescribed by the State Board of Education.
• A principal must have 2 years of successful teaching experience with students of the ages and grade levels for which the principal license is sought.

Applying for Ohio Licensure

Candidates who plan to request licensure in Ohio must take and pass the OAE Licensure Exam 015, Educational Leadership. Candidates should designate Walden as a score recipient when they register for the exam.

Candidates who complete Walden’s principal preparation program and pass the OAE 015 should create an online license request in the Ohio Department of Education’s Connected Ohio Records for Educators (CORE) system. 

To access the CORE system, candidates must create an OH|ID. To set up an OH|ID account, candidates must visit the OH|ID portal (https://safe.ode.state.oh.us/portal). If candidates need assistance with OH|ID, they should review the help manual in the portal. 

Through the OH|ID account, candidates should choose CORE, then My Educator Profile, then My Applications to create an online application. 

Candidates should submit a new application request for the professional administrator license. The Ohio Department of Education reviews all applications and provides final approval before issuing credentials. In most cases, before the department can proceed, Walden’s certification officer will review and approve the license applications, including verification of a passing score on the OAE Licensure Exam 015. Candidates will receive an email from the Ohio Department of Education when their application request is approved or denied.

Candidates who have questions about the online license system should review the frequently asked questions posted on the Ohio Department of Education website (http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching/Licensure/Additional-Information/Help-and-FAQs-for-the-Online-License-System).

Applying for Licensure in States Other Than Minnesota or Ohio

If a candidate is applying for principal licensure directly to their state based on the completion of a state-approved program, they should review the state’s licensure application process thoroughly. In some states, there is a separate process and/or application for individuals completing an out-of-state program. A candidate may also be required to obtain the out-of-state license before applying to their state (termed license-in-hand states). Finally, it is important to review the testing requirements for licensure. 

Regardless, the candidate likely will need Walden to complete an institutional recommendation form or a similar document attesting to the fact they completed a state-approved program provided by that institution. The candidate should send these requests via email to Walden’s certification officer at educlicensure@mail.waldenu.edu.