East Central University Teaching Certification Programs
East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma offers four online Master of Education degrees: Educational Leadership, Library Media, Special Education, and Sports Administration, along with a post-master’s School Superintendent Certificate. These graduate programs are built for educators who already hold a teaching license and want to add a specialty certification or move into administration, not for candidates seeking their first teaching credential.
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Oklahoma still needs qualified teachers. The state Department of Education issued nearly 4,000 emergency certifications in the 2021-2022 school year, letting districts fill classrooms with instructors who were never formally trained or licensed in the subjects they were assigned to teach.
East Central University has been training Oklahoma educators since 1909, when it opened as a normal school built specifically to prepare teachers for towns across the new state. That mission continues today through ECU’s College of Education and School of Graduate Studies, which together offer four online Master of Education degrees plus a post-master’s superintendent certificate for educators who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to move into a specialized or administrative role.
How ECU Trains Oklahoma’s Teachers and School Leaders
ECU’s College of Education and School of Graduate Studies offer the kind of advanced education aimed at preparing graduates for pedagogical leadership roles in Oklahoma and beyond. Each program combines classroom instruction with on-site field experience, applied under the supervision of experienced faculty members and master teachers.
Online coursework runs in eight-week segments, with video, audio, and presentation content delivered asynchronously so students can work around their existing teaching schedules. Discussion forums stay open around the clock, giving students regular access to instructors and classmates between live sessions.
Online Master of Education Programs at East Central University
Meeting Oklahoma’s educator certification standards requires a certification recommendation from a state-approved training program, and ECU is one. Each of the four M.Ed. tracks below is designed for educators who already hold a teaching license and want to add a specialty credential or move toward administration.
Educational Leadership
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership is a 32-credit-hour program aligned with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, built for working teachers moving toward Oklahoma’s Standard Administrator Certificate and higher-level administrative roles. Coursework covers school finance, educational technology, and the legal aspects of school administration, paired with a hands-on practicum applying that theory inside a school building.
Library Media
The Master of Education in Library Media prepares working educators to sit for Oklahoma’s library media specialist certification, including the state’s required OSAT exam. The curriculum emphasizes instructional technology alongside coursework in literacy theory, multimedia integration, and instructional design, giving graduates the background to serve as a school’s go-to resource for research and information management.
Special Education
The Master of Education in Special Education prepares candidates to sit for Oklahoma’s certification exam covering PreK-12 mild/moderate disability instruction. Coursework addresses the psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors involved in special education, backed by an extensive practicum that puts teaching methods, technology, and legal and ethical considerations into practice.
Sports Administration
The Master of Education in Sports Administration, aligned with Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) and North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) standards, covers facility management, event management, marketing, and the legal and ethical considerations involved in running school and college athletic programs. The degree also builds a broader perspective on the role of athletics in American schools, for educators aiming at leadership roles in public school systems or collegiate athletics.
School Superintendent Certificate
ECU’s fully online post-master’s School Superintendent Certificate is a 16-credit-hour program for educators who already hold a master’s degree, a school principal certification, and at least two years of teaching experience. The six-course program, which includes two practicum experiences, covers administration, school facilities management, education law, and the political and governmental forces that shape public schools, taught by instructors who are working superintendents themselves. Graduates complete the program in about a year and are prepared to sit for the Oklahoma Certification Test for School Superintendents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What programs does East Central University offer online for educators?
ECU offers four online Master of Education degrees: Educational Leadership, Library Media, Special Education, and Sports Administration, plus a post-master’s School Superintendent Certificate for educators who already hold a master’s degree.
Does an ECU online Master of Education lead to a teaching certification?
Not to an initial teaching license. These programs are built for educators who already hold a teaching credential and want to add a specialty certification, such as special education or library media, or move into school administration.
How long does it take to complete ECU’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership?
The program requires 32 credit hours, combining coursework with a hands-on practicum in a school setting. Completion time depends on how many courses a student takes per term.
What does ECU’s School Superintendent Certificate require?
Applicants need a master’s degree, a school principal certification, and at least two years of teaching experience. The 16-credit-hour, six-course program is designed to be completed in about one year and prepares graduates for the Oklahoma Certification Test for School Superintendents.
Is East Central University’s education program accredited?
East Central University overall is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its Master of Education programs leading to new certification areas carry additional accreditation from the State of Oklahoma and from the relevant Specialty Program Associations affiliated with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Century-long history — ECU has trained Oklahoma educators since 1909, when it opened as a normal school built for that purpose.
- Four online M.Ed. tracks — Educational Leadership, Library Media, Special Education, and Sports Administration, plus a post-master’s Superintendent Certificate.
- Built for licensed educators — these programs add specialty certifications or administrative credentials rather than an initial teaching license.
- State-aligned exam prep — programs like Library Media and the Superintendent Certificate are tied directly to Oklahoma’s required certification exams (OSAT, superintendent certification).
- CAEP-accredited pathways — programs leading to new certification areas carry accreditation from the State of Oklahoma and CAEP-affiliated Specialty Program Associations.
Compare East Central University’s programs against other accredited teacher certification options to find the right fit for your career goals.