Step 1: Create an account in the online application system

1. First, create an account with the UK Graduate School including a username and password. If you are a former UK student and don’t know your LinkBlue ID number, please call or email for assistance.
2. Once you have a username and password you can fill out one online application to the UK Graduate School and the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.
3. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. Your username and password will allow you to log in as many times as you wish to complete your unfinished application. NOTE: The application fee must be paid by credit card at the time of final submission.

Step 2: Designate Your Educational Leadership Studies “Plan of Study”

1. In the application site you will need to select your “plan of study.”
2. Please view this important tip on how to select the correct program. Continue your online application using these instructions:
   1. For “Admission Category” select “Teacher Education Certification-other”
   2. For “Program” select “Educational Leadership”
   3. For “Intended Start Date” select “Summer, Fall, or Spring”
   4. For “Program Specific Information” select “Superintendent”
3. College Information
   1. Enter the names of all colleges attended;
   2. GRE/GMAT Scores (leave blank, they are not required);
   3. Undergraduate and graduate GPAs are required. This information may be found on your transcripts. Former UK students may also obtain them using their UK LinkBlue account.
   4. You may upload unofficial transcripts from all universities attended showing award of an undergraduate, master’s degree, and other coursework. You will then need to have official transcripts sent to the University of Kentucky Graduate School from every college you have attended. Former UK students do NOT need to submit an official transcript but you can obtain a free, unofficial copy of your transcript from the UK LinkBlue website to upload into your application. Other universities may provide a similar online service. If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of your transcripts, please contact the department administrator.
   5. Four letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a supervisor/education agency representative attesting to your suitability for serving as a school district leader. Please enter information and email addresses for each of these individuals. The UK Graduate School will send them a request for recommendation and ask that the completed forms be returned to the Graduate School. If a technical problem arises please contact the department to arrange to have the completed recommendation forms sent directly to the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.
4. Supplemental Information
   1. Resume (leave blank)
   2. Personal statement (leave blank
   3. Writing sample (leave blank)
   4. Assistantship application (leave blank)
   5. Portfolio – Upload a single page document labeled “PORTFOLIO” into your application.
   6. Complete your portfolio (see details in step 3)
   7. Additional Information (leave blank)

Step 3: Superintendent Certification Program Portfolio

Applicants are required to submit a Superintendent Certification Program admissions portfolio (pdf).

Upload a single page document labeled “PORTFOLIO” into your application. Complete your portfolio using the Educational Leadership Studies Superintendent Certification Program portfolio template and email it to Lars Bjork at lbjor1@nulluky.edu.

The Superintendent Certification Program application portfolio (PSEL) required format will ensure that it is well-organized and brief, yet substantive.

Portfolio Part I: Professional Information

1. Professional resume (limited to 2 pages) that provides your name and contact information as well as postsecondary education (all degrees, years awarded, institution names, emphasis area), work experiences, education certifications and professional memberships;
2. A copy of your current professional educator certificate;
3. A written statement of and evidence of leadership experiences at the school building or district level (this is Part II of your “Portfolio”);
4. A letter from your supervisor/agency representative attesting to your suitability for school district leadership. This letter will be included in your Apply Yourself Application (Online) and will be sent to the Department of Educational Leadership Studies;
5. Evidence of having completed the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA).
6. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from a district superintendent (Educational Leadership Studies Superintendent Program MOA – PDF)

Part II: Leadership Experiences

This section of your portfolio focuses on describing your knowledge and leadership experiences in the following five areas:

1. Ability to improve student achievement. Provide a brief narrative that includes descriptions that exemplify your work. Include student outcomes if available;
2. Knowledge of school law relating to finance, school operations and personnel matters, implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Use each of these areas as subheadings, then list graduate courses completed (portfolio) and provide a brief narrative that highlights your school and district work;
3. Commitment to ongoing professional growth (Provide a brief narrative that outlines areas in which you presently excel professionally, areas in which you are planning to gain additional knowledge and skills, as well as areas that you envision may enhance your capacity to serve as a district leader). You may include a professional growth plan developed for your current position as evidence.);
4. Effective communication skills (written communication and information dissemination). Provide a brief narrative of strategies (interpersonal, electronic, social media et al.) that you have used to communicate with school, district, and community stakeholders and descriptions of your work;
5. Ability to build relationships, foster teamwork, and develop networks. Provide a brief narrative that describes your views on professional relationships, teamwork, and networking. Provide descriptions that exemplify your work.

Part III: Interview

Applicants will be interviewed by a panel of superintendents and Educational Leadership Studies faculty as part of the Superintendent Certification Program admissions process. Interviews will be scheduled after candidates submit their Apply Yourself Application. It will focus on your professional background and experiences described in your portfolio. After you receive an invitation, we will discuss the interview process with you.

Detailed information about the application process can be found in the Admissions section of this page.

The Superintendent program consists of 4 courses spread out over a period of 11 months.

Application Questions

• Justin Bathon: justin.bathon@nulluky.edu

Program Questions

• Lars Bjork: lars.bjork@nulluky.edu

You can also fill out the form below to receive useful emails about the program, such as application tips and online info sessions.

You can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the UK Student Account Services website.