Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Education gives Entry-Level and Standard Career Level Education Administrator Licenses. These licenses are at the Class AA, AAA, and AAAA levels.

Academic Obligations

Entry-Level:

• You must successfully complete an authorized master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree program in educational administration/leadership from a state-authorized or regionally accredited institution
• You must receive an institutional recommendation from that program verifying successful completion

Standard Career Level:

• You must successfully complete the School Executive Management Institute Orientation to School Leadership entry-level training modules to apply for the standard career level education administrator license

Assessments

Entry-Level:

• You must complete the Praxis II School Leaders Licensure Assessment

Standard Career Level:

• No additional Assessments are required.

Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements

Entry-Level:

• You must possess a Five-Year Standard Educator’s License
• You must possess 3 years of education experience
• You must already have acquired an entry-level job as an education administrator before applying for an entry-level education administrator license

Standard Career Level:

• You must possess an Entry-Level Education Administrator License
• You must possess 5 years of experience as a school administrator

Document and Application Requirements

You can apply online through the Educator Licensure Management System or download the paper Licensure Application Packet for the Entry-Level or Standard Career Level Education Administrator License. Make sure to include:

• Official sealed college transcripts verifying successful completion of education administrator preparation program and graduate-level degree.
• Original Praxis score reports
• Finished application
• Institutional program authentication completed and signed by a representative of your educator preparation program
• Application fee

Send the above info to the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensure, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771.

Background Check Requirements

Before you acquire your education administrator license, you must undergo a criminal history background check. Fingerprints will be taken as part of this procedure and sent to both the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You may not work as an education administrator in any Mississippi school until your background checks are cleared.

State Contacts

For additional info on authorized programs in educational administration/leadership, go here to contact the dean at each institution in the state offering authorized programs.

For additional info on administrative licensure in Mississippi, make contact with the Office of Educator Licensure of the Mississippi Department of Education at 601-359-3483.