Director of Special Education License

Overview

The administrative license programs are for applicants who wish to complete a course of study leading to a license for director of special education, K-12 principal, or superintendent. The administrative licenses are typically completed in two years including coursework, participation in residency, and an internship.

Accreditation

The Minnesota Board of School Administrators has accredited Bethel University's K12 Administrator Licenses Program leading to licenses as principals, superintendents, and directors of special education. Once the required coursework, internships, and panel review are concluded, Bethel recommends students for a K12 administrator's license; the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board grants the license.

Program Outcomes

Students will practice reflection and sustained personal formation.
Students will apply strategic and collaborative thinking to issues and problems.
Students will demonstrate leadership in areas of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Students will demonstrate strong academic writing and research abilities.
Students will integrate faith/values and ethics in their leadership of educational institutions.
Students display proficiency of the Minnesota administrative license competencies.

Program Design

Cohort-based organization allowing maximum group interaction, collaboration, and mutual support throughout the program.
All courses (except residency courses) delivered completely online using best practices in internet technology, instructional design, and adult learning.
Residencies on one of the Bethel University campuses during each of the two years of the program, focused on professional growth, collaboration, and coursework.
Individual learning plan developed for each student based on previous educational training, credentials, and experience.

Graduate-Level License Requirements

To be recommended for a license students must:

Maintain academic success, which is defined as completion of each teacher licensure and each content area course with a passing grade: S, C, or higher.
Maintain character, ethics, and relational skills consistent with the role and responsibility of the professional educator. Any student failing to meet this expectation may be asked to discuss with the program director other viable options for professional development.
License standards are subject to change at any time by the Professional Education Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB: formerly called Minnesota Board of Teaching) or the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA).
Candidates for licensure must meet the BOSA or PELSB license standards in place at the time of program completion.

Admission Requirements

The Director of Special Education license program will consider applicants who:

Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
Submit an official transcript (U.S. schools) or NACES or AICE evaluation (international schools) showing an earned master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited (or internationally recognized as equivalent) institution. Upon program director approval, applicants may be considered for regular admission who have significant progress towards a master's degree but have not yet completed it.
Have earned a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit two professional Admission References.
Submit a written Statement of Purpose.
Interview with the program director upon invitation.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

Degree Requirements