Program Details
City University of Seattle’s Professional Certificate for Administrators with Superintendent Certification gives professional educators the necessary skills and experience to complete their Graduate Certificate Executive Leadership: Superintendent Certification. Through a mix of coursework, an internship, and an internship project, candidates learn how to lead school systems according to state and national standards. Graduates develop the critical thinking and negotiation skills they’ll need to be effective leaders who can develop and sustain meaningful education reform.
This online program has been developed by and for educators, and consists of three strands:
- Internship: students are supported in this internship with a CityU field supervisor; a field-based mentor; and are required to design and implement an internship project.
- Building a Portfolio: students develop an online portfolio on Blackboard, which consists of multiple pieces of evidence that demonstrate students have the understanding and competency to administer to the Washington State Benchmark Standards.
- Capstone Presentation: students complete a presentation, which will provide evidence of how each candidate has achieved professional competence across all standards.
- Time to completion: CityU’s superintendent certification takes five quarters to complete, usually starting and ending in the summer quarter.
What makes this program unique
- Students may begin this program at the beginning of any quarter.
- This program meets the requirement for Initial Administrator Certification in the State of Washington as measured against Washington’s seven ISSLC-based Benchmarks Standards.
- This program is offered to out of state candidates who seek graduate coursework and executive level internship experience but do not need the Washington State Certification. For these individuals, a modified program for non-certification candidates is offered. Students who want to pursue this non-certification route, but later wish to apply for certification in their own state, are responsible for knowing and meeting out of state certification requirements.
- Some superintendent candidates also may simultaneously pursue the Program Administrator Certificate while completing course requirements.
- Our faculty of experienced administrators coach candidates throughout the program, offering standards-based feedback for a performance-based certification portfolio.
- CityU’s superintendent certification takes five quarters to complete.
- Graduates can choose to continue their formal education and apply 30 credits earned in this program directly to CityU’s Doctor of Education in Leadership.
Upon completion of the program, graduates achieve superintendent certification by demonstrating proficiency in the standards set by the Professional Educator Standards Board based on the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium. CityU supports candidates throughout their job search and advancement to their next leadership role. Those who have a master’s degree, but not educator certification, should contact an adviser if they have an interest in educational leadership. This program can be personalized to transfer skills from other contexts to education. Get in touch with our advisers to start the application process today.
Get in touch with our advisors to start the application process today.
As of July 1, 2011, the US Department of Education requires colleges to disclose specific information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” City University offers a number of undergraduate and graduate certificates that lead to gainful employment. Information for each certificate program for the latest reporting year is available here.
Dr. Christine Katayama
Q&A with Dr. Christine Katayama, Associate Faculty
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: EdD from Seattle University.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Husky football (I'm a season ticket holder), volleyball and basketball, watch the Seattle Seahawks; go to the Seattle Symphony (also a season ticket holder). Get together with friends and family. I also am an active member of the Southcenter Rotary and enjoy serving as chair of the Scholarship Committee because the process of selection provides me and fellow Rotarians the opportunity to meet and listen to future leaders in business, education, government, social/health sciences and the arts, many of whom have emigrated as refugees from countries at war.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: EEA 537: Conflict Resolution and Community Relations
EEA 509/510 Leadership for Diverse Learners
Field Supervisor for Educational Leadership; Faculty/Dissertation Chair for Doctoral Candidates
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I began my teaching career at the high school level in Honolulu, HI and continued at Puyallup High School. I later became assistant principal at Federal Way High School, principal at Tyee High School and director of grants management for the Highline School District. While at the district office in Highline, I began teaching in higher education and mentoring principal and teacher candidates at Heritage University and CityU – teaching adult learners was an extension of the professional development work I did while employed in Puyallup, Federal Way and Highline. Among the courses I taught were Classroom Management and Curriculum and Instruction. It is rewarding to be paying it forward through an institution that promotes lifelong learning, leadership and stewardship.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: I enjoy the collegiate spirit of fellow faculty/field supervisors, and the opportunity to mentor aspiring leaders who are dedicated to making enduring contributions in their communities. It is exciting to work with candidates who are deep thinkers and who seek opportunities to learn from one another.
Q: What's one thing you always tell your students that may or may not relate to your class?
A: Within each of us is the human capacity to lead and to serve as a cultural mediator.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: The assignments and activities are intended to facilitate your professional growth as teacher leaders.
Q: What is something you've learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: While the end-of-course feedback is helpful and I use it to modify assignments, I have found ongoing, formative assessments are valuable for being as immediately responsive as possible, while also modeling how data derived from assessment can effectively influence instructional design.
Dr. Paul Robb
Q&A with Dr. Paul Robb, Principal Faculty
Q: What is your terminal degree in and where did you get it from?
A: EdD from the University of Washington.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Read, music, movies, run, bike, and travel.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: Supervision of Instruction.
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching?
A: I wanted to work with adults and help make a difference in education for all, particularly under-served children.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching at CityU?
A: CityU has a supportive administration, a diverse student body, and I’m able to work with engaging and challenging adults.
Q: What's one thing you always tell your students that may or may not relate to your class?
A: Losing track of time in the midst of an activity is a great marker for engagement.
Q: Any fond CityU memories that you can share?
A: Facilitating sessions that allow candidates make meaningful connections.
Q: What might you tell a student who was thinking of taking one of your classes?
A: The content and activities will serve you well with the theoretical and practical skills, and help you lead change in an organization.
Q: What is something you've learned from end-of-course evaluations that you applied later on?
A: Exceedingly clear directions for assignments that include samples and rubrics are greatly appreciated. Quick turn-around time for feedback is also appreciated.
