(1) To obtain a superintendent endorsement an applicant must provide verification of:

(a) an education specialist degree or doctoral degree in education leadership from an accredited professional educator preparation program as defined in ARM 10.57.102(3) and one year of administrative experience as an appropriately licensed principal or one year of a supervised board of public education approved administrative internship as a superintendent; or

(b) a master's degree in education leadership or equivalent from an accredited professional educator preparation program as determined by the university system to include:

(i) licensure/endorsement as a principal;

(ii) one year of administrative experience as an appropriately licensed principal or one year of a supervised board of public education approved administrative internship as superintendent; and

(iii) a minimum of 18 semester graduate credits, of which 12 must be beyond the master's degree, in the following content areas:

(A) organizational leadership;

(B) instructional leadership;

(C) management to include finance, facilities, law and policy;

(D) personnel and labor relations; and

(E) community and board relations.