If you are interested in a school administrative position, consider obtaining a sixth-year certificate in education, also known as the educational administration certification (092).
This certification is required for any educational administration position, including department chair, special education director, assistant principal, principal, and up through the assistant superintendent of schools.
Do these career pathways align with your professional goals? If so, read on. Here, we will show you what you can do with an 092 certificate, and how this sixth-year certificate in education will help to advance your career.
What is an 092 Certificate?
The 092 certificate is an advanced professional certification for experienced educational professionals and community educators seeking to deepen and expand their knowledge of teaching and learning.
It provides practical and performance-based preparation so educators can develop the proficiencies needed to be successful school administrators.
Upon completion of the 092 certification, candidates can confidently:
- Shape organizational direction.
- Effect institutional planning and development.
- Evaluate school effectiveness according to state criteria.
- Monitor curriculum development for schools K-12.
- Create school environments suitable to the needs of students with exceptionalities.
What Can I Do With an 092 Certificate?
As mentioned, the 092 certification prepares candidates for various administrative positions. Here are six of our favorite career opportunities available to those who pursue this type of sixth-year certificate.
1. Department Chair
Schools will often segment into departments to facilitate and foster academic planning, organization, and structure. These departments will then meet to link cross-content objectives, share best practices, and plan events.
And while each person in the department carries their specific duties and responsibilities, department chairs serve as spokespeople and liaisons among students, faculty, and school administration.
Department chairs must be skilled in communication, management, finance, and technical knowledge to implement policies effectively. In addition, they address administrative concerns and often work with department members to develop budget proposals, track expenditures, and prevent the department from exceeding its allotted budget.
2. Athletic Director
Athletic Directors (AD) oversee athletic programs at high schools, colleges, or private institutions. They are responsible for budgeting, promotion, and scheduling for sports teams. In addition, while rarely working directly with athletes, ADs organize transportation, supervise coaches, and guide student sports teams to success on and off the court or field.
Athletic Director candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree, though many will obtain a sixth-year certificate or master’s degree to advance their knowledge, training, career prospects, and salary.
3. Special Education Director
This position oversees a school’s special education programs and services by supervising a team of special education coordinators. Special education directors take an active role in the decision-making to ensure that students in these programs can achieve academic and social success.
As upper-level managers, SpEd directors need strong leadership, administration, research, people management, and communication skills.
4. Assistant Principal
Assistant principals, also called vice principals, are education administrators responsible for facilitating day-to-day activities around the school.
Along with the principal, they ensure the school fulfills all federal and state student and teacher performance guidelines while keeping faculty and students safe, cared for, and listened to.
5. Principal
As the head of school, principals oversee daily activities and operations of elementary, middle, or high schools. Therefore, a principal must ensure their institution operates efficiently and effectively while simultaneously serving the diverse needs of all students and faculty.
Primary duties include disciplining or advising students, approving teachers’ curriculums, and ensuring the school environment is safe and conducive to learning for all students and staff. In addition, principals hire and train teachers, develop codes and policies for the teachers to follow, and build and maintain budgets for the school to ensure it remains in good financial standing.
Like most of these positions, candidates interested in serving as school principals must obtain their 092 certifications or a master’s degree in Education and work experience as a school leader.
Principals make an average of $106,097 annually, though the salary differs based on experience level, education, and geographical location.
6. Assistant Superintendent of Schools
While duties vary depending on the state and school district, the assistant superintendent of schools is near the top of a school district’s chain of command.
They respond directly to the superintendent in a small to midsize school district. In a larger city school district, they may report to the deputy superintendent.
Depending on the district, assistant superintendents may be assigned to oversee a particular operational area or an entire geographic region.
Candidates interested in this career path should have strong leadership and communication skills and the ability to speak in front of large groups of people, as they must often make public presentations.
If you’re ready to advance your career as an educator and serve in the administrative world of education, enrolling in an Educational Administration and Supervision sixth-year program and earning an 092 certificate is the perfect next step.
University of Bridgeport’s program offers hybrid on-campus and online options to fit students’ busy schedules. Classes meet one evening a week for two hours during the fall and spring semesters, with accelerated programs available during summer terms. Learn more about the curriculum and apply today.
Applications must be received by April 15th for the summer semester, July 15th for the fall semester, and December 1st for the spring semester. Our faculty and staff are ready to support you through this 092 certificate program and into your next career as a school administrator. So let’s do this together!