Administrative Certificate: Principal K–12

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Program Overview

This administrative certificate program, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, qualifies professionals to serve in line administrative positions. This program, which prepares individuals to serve as principals and assistant principals, offers the knowledge and skills necessary to direct, operate, supervise, and administer the organizational and general educational activities of a school.

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Administrative Certificate Principal K–12 Program are able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in instructional leadership which provides purpose and direction for the achievement of all students.
Demonstrate the organizational skills to implement plans of action efficiently and effectively for student achievement.
Collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and parents to create a school climate that fosters student achievement.
Understand the importance of a clear, detailed vision and explicitly stated philosophy in shaping a coherent curriculum and fostering an effective school.
Use data in a systematic way to assess the needs and accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff.
Think systematically about practice; learn from experience; seek the advice of others; draw upon educational research and scholarship; and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally.

Program Design

This program requires a total of 21 graduate credits which are specified in the Program Curriculum. To be eligible for Principal K–12 Certification, a 6-credit internship (EDU 577 ), in addition to the five other required courses listed below in the Program Curriculum, is required. EDU 577 consists of a 360-hour learning experience which includes classroom and field activities, the latter of which requires a 180-hour, site-based internship. EDU 577 is taken after all program requirements have been successfully completed. In addition to these curricular requirements, the student must also satisfactorily complete the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s mandated assessment, have a chief school administrator’s verification of five years of satisfactory and appropriate school experience, and meet all other requirements stipulated by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law.

Program Curriculum: 21 Credits

The following courses comprise the required course for the Principal K–12 Certification Program:

EDU 506 School Policy and Law 3 Credits
EDU 507 The Principalship 3 Credits
EDU 508 Fiscal and Facility Management 3 Credits
EDU 509 Administration and Staff Development 3 Credits
EDU 520 Curriculum Designand Evaluation 3 Credits
EDU 577 Principal Certification Internship 6 Credits

Admission Requirements

Students who desire to enter the Administrative Certificate Principal K–12 Program need to fulfill the following admission criteria, in conjunction with the general admission requirements of the University:

Submit a completed Graduate Student Application for Admission.
Submit official transcripts showing proof of a master’s degree in education from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution (the required minimum graduate GPA is 3.00).
Submit three completed Reference Forms which indicate support for the student’s professional goals.
Submit a chief school administrator’s verification of the completion of at least five years of professional work experience in education.
Submit a state-certified Teacher Certificate.
Attend, if invited, an interview with the Admissions Committee.