Your passion for education has made you a formidable force in the classroom. You’ve guided, nurtured, encouraged, and supported Oklahoma’s public school children and watched them grow.
But a funny thing happened along the way. You grew, too. Your career in education has made you stronger, more determined, more resilient, and more passionate than ever about providing outstanding learning experiences for the state’s PreK-12 children. Now you’re ready for a career evolution that will take you from the classroom and into education administration and leadership for even greater challenges and opportunities.
And it couldn’t come at a better time. Oklahoma’s education system, by many accounts, is on the rebound. Despite a continued struggle with everything from teacher retention to the ripple effects of the COVID pandemic, graduation rates have continued to climb in the Sooner State, and they’re now closing in on 88% (as of 2018, the most recent year they’re available) —that’s a significant jump from just 85.40% in 2010. At the same time, it’s all hands on deck, thanks to growing student body. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of public school students has increased by nearly 25,000.
It’s now time to take what you’ve learned in the classroom as an educator and begin applying it in new and exciting ways in administration. Whether you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you’ll find a host of exciting degree programs in leadership and administration which, along with your dedication and enthusiasm, will help you transition to the next phase of your career in public education.
How to Become a Principal in Oklahoma – School-level Educational Leadership
Onward and upward – It’s time to begin taking the steps necessary to become a principal in Oklahoma. To do this, you’ll need to earn a Standard Principal Certificate through the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Office of Teacher Certification.
But first you’ll need to have at least two years of successful teaching experience in an accredited public or private school. Once you meet this requirement, you can begin taking the steps necessary to become a principal in Oklahoma.
Step 1. Earn a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and Complete a State Department of Education-Approved Building-Level Leadership Skills Program in Education Administration
The traditional path to becoming a principal in Oklahoma involves completing a State Department of Education-approved building-level leadership skills program in education administration that’s built into a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree. These programs include all of the coursework and practical requirements necessary to qualify for a Standard Principal Certificate in Oklahoma.
These programs are often designed as:
- MS in School Administration
- MS in Educational Leadership and Administration
- MEd in School Administration
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration
If you already hold a master’s degree, you can also choose to complete a State Department of Education-approved principal graduate certificate to meet the coursework and hands-on learning experience requirements for a Standard Principal Certificate. These programs usually feature about 15-20 credits and include an internship. Most post-master’s principal certificate programs require about three years of teaching experience for admission.
Step 2. Take and Pass the Principal Comprehensive Assessment
You’ll need to take and pass the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators’ (CEOE) Principal Comprehensive Assessment (#144), which tests your knowledge in the following areas:
- Visionary Leadership and Continuous School Improvement
- Instructional Leadership, School Culture and Learning Environment, and Faculty Development
- Organizational, Resource, and Operational Management and Legal Guidelines
- Stakeholder and Community Relationships, Professional Norms, and Ethics
- Educational Leadership
This examination is administered through Pearson VUE, and you’ll take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.
Step 3. Apply for and Maintain a Standard Principal Certificate
To earn your Standard Principal Certificate, you’ll add it to your existing teaching certificate and complete the Application for Adding Areas to Existing Certificate. You can complete a paper application or apply through the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s online credentialing system (Single Sign-On system).
Standard certificates in Oklahoma are renewed every five years. There are no continuing education requirements to renew your certificate, provided you have at least three years of school experience during the five-year renewal period. If you have less than three years of experience, you can substitute professional education/specialization coursework from an accredited college or university for each year of experience you are lacking. Coursework requirements range anywhere from three to five semester hours.
School Principal Salary and Jobs in Oklahoma
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), principals in Oklahoma earned a median salary of $77,910 as of May 2021. The top earners in the field earned about $96,750 during this time.
While most metro areas in Oklahoma saw similar median salaries for principals, those in the Enid metro area reported a much higher median salary of $94,380 as of May 2021.
Some of the highest paid principals were in the Oklahoma City metro area, which reported a top salary of about $97,930 for these educational leaders, followed by the Northeast Oklahoma area, which reported a top salary of about $96,310.
How to Become a Superintendent in Oklahoma – District-Level Educational Leadership
To become a superintendent in Oklahoma, you’ll need to earn a Standard Superintendent Certificate through the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Office of Teacher Certification.
You’ll also need to have at least two years of successful teaching experience in an accredited public or private school. Once you meet this requirement, you can begin taking the steps necessary to become a superintendent in Oklahoma.
Step 1. Earn a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and Complete a State Department of Education-Approved Building-Level Leadership Skills Program in Education Administration
The State Department of Education recognizes that holding a Standard Principal Certificate is the easiest route to becoming a superintendent in Oklahoma. However, if you don’t hold this credential, you’ll need to complete a minimum of a master’s degree alongside a State Department of Education-approved building-level leadership skills program in education administration.
These programs are often designed as:
- MEd in Education Administration
- MS in Education Leadership
- MEd in School Leadership
- EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration
If you already hold a master’s degree, you may also satisfy this requirement by completing a State Department of Education-approved principal graduate certificate that includes all of the necessary coursework and practical experience requirements for a Standard Principal certificate.
Step 2. Take and Pass the Superintendent Assessment
You’ll need to take and pass the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators’ (CEOE) Superintendent Assessment (#248), which tests your knowledge in the following areas:
- Visionary Leadership and Continuous District Improvement
- Instructional Leadership, District Culture and Learning Environment, and Staff Development
- Organizational, Resource, and Operational Management
- District Governance and School Law
- Stakeholder and Community Relationships, Professional Norms
- Strategic Leadership
This examination is administered through Pearson VUE, and you’ll take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.
Step 3. Complete a Department of Education-Approved District-Level Leadership Skills Program in Education Administration
You can meet this requirement by earning an educational specialist or doctoral degree that includes a Department of Education-approved district-level leadership skills program in education administration. These programs are often designed as:
- EdD in Educational Administration
- EdS in Educational Leadership Studies
- EdD in Educational Administration, Curriculum and Supervision
Some colleges and universities also offer Department of Education-approved district-level leadership skills programs in education administration through post-master’s certificate programs. These programs feature about 12-15 credits that can then be transferred to an educational specialist or doctorate degree, if desired.
Step 4. Apply for and Maintain Your Standard Superintendent Certificate
To earn your Standard Superintendent Certificate, you’ll add it to your existing teaching certificate and complete the Application for Adding Areas to Existing Certificate. You can complete a paper application or apply through the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s online credentialing system (Single Sign-On system).
Standard certificates in Oklahoma are renewed every five years. There are no continuing education requirements to renew your certificate, provided you have at least three years of school experience during the five-year renewal period. If you have less than three years of experience, you can substitute professional education/specialization coursework from an accredited for each year of experience you are lacking. Coursework requirements range anywhere from three to five semester hours.
Superintendent Salary and Jobs in Oklahoma
According to the BLS, superintendents in Oklahoma earned about $104,410 as of May 2021. Superintendents in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas earned some of the highest salaries in the state, at $118,900 and $118,440, respectively.
Educational Leadership Degree Options in Oklahoma: Doctorate and Master’s in Educational Leadership
Slow and steady best describe job growth for Oklahoma’s educational leaders in the coming years. In the ten years leading up to 2030, the state projects a job growth rate of 7.3% for principals and superintendents. During this time, the state should see about 30 annual job openings for superintendents and principals due to a blend of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.
Whether your plans include pursuing a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree, you’ll find an outstanding selection of programs both in and outside of Oklahoma that will help you reach your career goals. Many programs are now offered in convenient, online formats that offer superb convenience and flexibility for today’s busy educators.
Mid-America Christian University
School of Teacher Education
Accreditation: HLC
Online
M.Ed
MA in Leadership
- Higher Education Administration emphasis, Educational Leadership and Administration
Also offers:
Educational Leadership and Administration Certificate
Southern Nazarene University
Professional and Graduate Studies
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, online
MA
- Concentrations: Administration of Special Education, Educational Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.D in Administration and Leadership
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2023.