Doctoral Programs
Illinois Superintendent Endorsement
Ed.S
Program Overview
This program prepares students for superintendent licensure in the State of Illinois. The Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree program is a post-master’s course of study that provides students an area of educational specialization with an emphasis on practice. Individuals who have already completed a master’s degree in education or related field are eligible to pursue an Ed.S. The amount of additional coursework necessary for an Ed.S degree after obtaining a master’s degree is about the same as that needed to get a second master’s degree. The Ed.S degree provides an avenue to advance a career in education but does not require a dissertation. Students in the Ed.S program are eligible for financial aid.
Career Outcomes
Ed.S degrees in Educational Leadership qualify individuals for superintendent and principal administrator positions. While principal positions generally only require a master’s degree, many individuals seeking a principal position will obtain an Ed.S.
Individuals seeking program coordinator and department director positions may obtain an Ed.S in order to gain a competitive edge in terms of qualifications compared to someone with only a master’s degree.
Moving from the Ed.S to a Doctoral Program:
The Ed.S program is designed for students pursuing a superintendent endorsement who do not desire to earn a doctorate at this time. If at a later time the student wishes to earn a doctoral degree, the 30 hours (ten classes) in the Ed.S Education Specialist program may be applied to a doctorate in Educational Leadership as follows:
- To complete an Ed.D program, the student would need an additional 31 credit hours (10 classes) and a dissertation.
- To complete a Ph.D program, the student would need an additional 37 credit hours (12 classes) and a dissertation.
Areas of Study
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| Law & Governance | ||
| EDL-7210 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
| EDL-7255 | Managing Legal and Human Resource Issues | 3 |
| EDL-7301 | Ethics for Educational Leaders for the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement | 3 |
| Management | ||
| EDL-7245 | Managing Illinois School District Finances | 3 |
| EDL-7241 | Supervisory Theory and Practice for the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement | 3 |
| Educational Leadership | ||
| EDL-7111 | Strategies of Educational Leadership for the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement | 3 |
| EDL-7260 | School/District Improvement Using Data Analysis | 3 |
| Field Based Experience | ||
| EDL-7894 | Superintendent Internship I: The Superintendent as Instructional Leader | 3 |
| EDL-7895 | Superintendent Internship II: The Superintendent as Change Agent | 3 |
| EDL-7896 | Superintendent Internship III: The Superintendent as HR and Resources Manager | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
*Concordia University’s field based experience training meets all Illinois state requirements which include the candidate completing three, sixteen week internships with their District Superintendent Internship Supervisor (DSIS) and the Concordia University Chicago Internship Supervisor (CUCIS).
Superintendent Endorsement Completion Requirements
- Successfully pass the IL Test #225 at the end of the course work and internships;
- Successfully complete and pass Principal Evaluator – Growth for Learning Modules 1-5 (PERA);
- Provide proof of at least two years of full-time administrative or supervisory experience in a public school district or non-public school recognized in accordance with 23 Ill. Adm. Code 425 on the professional educator license endorsed in general administrative principal, chief school business official, or director of special education.
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