Post-Master's Graduate Certificate for Chief School Business Official

Chief School Business Official Certification may be obtained within the post-master's certification program or within the doctoral program.

The program is designed for Illinois educators interested in advance study and preparation in the organization and administration of the management of fiscal, physical, and human resources of a public school district in Illinois. Candidates should hold a Type 75 certificate, a master's degree, and P-12 leadership experience. Applicants with a master's degree in Business or Accounting do not need the Type 75 certificate.

Learn more about graduate school at Illinois State University.

Goals and Outcomes

A Chief School Business Official graduate will have developed the ability to approach challenges and opportunities in schools using multiple perspectives and leadership skills in order to:

develop, articulate, implement, administer, and share with the district's community a vision focused on learning;
develop and sustain a district instruction program that promotes student learning and staff professional growth at the district level;
manage a district's organization, operation, and resources to produce a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment;
work positively with families and community members by identifying and responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources;
promote the success of all students in a school district by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner;
understand and respond to the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context of the school district, the community, the state, and the nation.

Admission

Applicants for post-master's certification programs must have already earned a master's degree. Admission to the programs in EAF is competitive. The Department has a rolling admissions policy and considers admission three times a year. Learn about the application process.

Financial Assistance

Tuition and fees for the program are determined each year by the University. These costs exclude textbook or software requirements for courses.

Financial assistance is available through scholarships, graduate assistantships, and tuition waivers. Learn about financial aid opportunities.

Requirements

The course requires at least 36 hours of coursework in a required sequence. Courses are offered nights and weekends to accommodate schedules of full-time educational professionals. Some online options exist for select courses.

Courses

Find when the following courses will be offered and their syllabi:

Total: 36 hours (*S indicates course also counts toward Superintendent's endorsement.)

Graduate Catalog
Download the Graduate Catalog (pdf) to learn more about program requirements, course descriptions, and prerequisites.

Computer Requirements

To successfully complete Educational Administration and Foundations courses, students in all programs are expected to have frequent and convenient access to a computer and Internet resources. Illinois State University students can take advantage of special hardware and software pricing as well as installation support at ISU TechZone. Review the computer and technology requirements for EAF students.

Certification

Before completing the last semester of professional practice, candidates must pass the appropriate content test.

Application for graduate-level certification is processed by the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center's Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes. Individuals planning to pursue coursework for a certificate should first complete the steps listed in Part 1

So that an initial evaluation for certification can be completed, the evaluation should be made early in the student's program in order to provide a list of deficiencies to be completed prior to the issuance of the certificate. A copy of the evaluation is sent to the student for use as a reference for all requirements. Allow up to four weeks for the Certification Office to process each initial evaluation.

This endorsement may also be granted to individuals who have graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting and who have passed the certification examinations required for this endorsement.

Program Advisor

For more information about the certificate programs, please contact the program advisor for an appointment:

Larry Lowe
340D DeGarmo Hall
(309) 438-3948

Program Faculty

List are faculty who specialize in educational administration. (NOTE: There are several other faculty in EAF who are involved in the P-12 Administration concentration in teaching, scholarship, or professional service roles as well as professionals having adjunct, part-time relationships.)