Director / Administrative Certification

Requirements for vocational supervisor and vocational director certifications.

Penn State's WFED Program is now offering the Director of CTE Administrative certification and M.Ed. degree option program of study in a blended format with on-line classes. Coursework for the Vocational Director's certification can be completed in two-years and the M.Ed. degree option can be completed in 2-3 years on-line.

Please contact Dr. Michael Harvey at or 814-863-0805 for more information.

The Vocational Education Director certification requires knowledge and competence in the management of career and technical center and school district  programs that educates students in grades 7-12 in the areas of career technical education.

Grade Level Scope of Certificate

A person holding a valid PA certificate as a Vocational Education Director is qualified to manage school operations and provide educational leadership in a career and technical center or in career and technical education at the school district level.

Certification Assignment

An educator holding a valid Vocational Education Director’s certificate is qualified to provide services required in the operation of any career and technical education program of study to include:

  • Serving as a career and technical education instructional leader
  • Supervising and evaluating certificated and non-certificated staff persons required for school operation
  • Addressing strategic planning for fiscal operations and resource and technology management for school building
  • Addressing budget planning and resource allocation
  • Working with academic and career and technical student achievement data to improve educational programming
  • Working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Program Approval, Curriculum & Equipment Grants, and the Local Perkins Plan
  • Serving as liaison with member district board members and superintendents
  • Managing communications with the general public
  • Maintaining a close relationship between the technical center and business/industry partners
  • Working with the latest technological innovations to streamline operations and improve facility operational efficiency


Program of Study for Director / Administrative Certification

2-Year Course Schedule (24 credit hours) offered in blended format with on-line classes or option to do face-to-face on campus (University Park)