PK-12 Administrative I Certification (Post-Masters)

Program Overview

The PK-12 Administrative I Certification (Post-Masters), approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, qualifies professionals to serve in administrative positions. This program, which prepares individuals to serve as principals and assistant principals, offers the knowledge and skills and fosters the dispositions that are necessary to direct, operate, supervise, and administer the organizational structures and educational activities that are essential for student success at both the school and district levels.

Mission

Neumann University educates a diverse community of learners based upon the belief that knowledge is a gift to be shared in the service of others and that learning is a lifelong process.

The Division of Education and Human Services recognizes that learning, teaching, and collegiality are fundamental activities of all educational organizations, and that knowledge and active inquiry form the basis of teaching and administrative practice. The Division further affirms that these qualities and activities are linked inextricably to the moral and ethical imperatives that drive leadershp behavior.

The mission of the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Administrative I Certificate (Post-Masters) is to help leaders develop the knowledge and understanding that are required to create and continuously improve standards aligned instructional systems, equitable learning opportunities, leadership for results, data-driven cultures, results-focused planning, targeted assistance, professional learning communities, and professional accountability.

Program Outcomes

A student who successfully complete the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Adminstrative I Certificate (Post-Masters) 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 administrative certification program requires a total of 24 graduate credits which are specified in the Program Curriculum. To be eligible for the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Adminstrative I Certificate (Post-Masters), a 6- credit internship (EDU 800 ), in addition to the six other required courses listed below in the Program Curriculum, is required. EDU 800 consists of a 360-hour learning experience, guided by the PA Leadership Standards, which includes classroom and field activities, the latter of which requires a 180-hour site-based internship experienced over a 365-day period. EDU 800 is taken after all other program requirements have been successfully completed. In addition to these curricular requirements, the student must also satisfactorily complete the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania mandated assessment (School Leaders Licensure Assessment [SLLA]; Test Code # 1011), have a chief school administrator’s verification of three years of satisfactory and relevant school experience, and meet all other requirements stipulated by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law.

Program Curriculum: 24 Credits

The following courses comprise the required courses for the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Administrative I Certificate (Post-Masters):

EDU 725 Instructional Supervision 3 Credits
EDU 735 Development Of Curriculum and Instruction 3 Credits
EDU 750 School Code and School Board Policies 3 Credits
EDU 755 School Business Management 3 Credits
EDU 765 Strategic Planning for the Diverse Learning and Teaching Environment 3 Credits
EDU 776 The Principal as Instructional Leader 3 credits
EDU 800 Principal Internship 6 Credits

Admissions Requirements: PK-12 Administrative I Certification (Post-Master’s)

Applicants with a baccalaureate and master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited, degree-granting institution who have successfully completed all prerequisite courses are eligible for entrance to the PK-12 Administrative I Certification program, subject to the approval of the Program Director. Acceptance is based on the fulfillment of the admissions requirements and the succeshttp://www.neumann.edu/admissionssful completion of an interview.

All applicants must submit the following:

A completed Graduate Student Application online through the Neumann University web site at www.neumann.edu/admissions
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Required minimum undergraduate and graduate GPA is 3.0
Resume or Curriculum Vitae which documents work experience in education or a related field
One official letter of recommendation from a professional reference
Formal response to the following question:
- “How does an administrator, in their role as instructional leader, foster successful teaching and learning in schools?”

Applicants who meet the above requirements will be invited to interview with the Program Director.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the entirety of the program.

To earn this Pennsylvania Department of Education certification, a student:

Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process.”
Completes a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level principal certification program that includes an internship/practicum or an equivalent out-of-state program. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.
Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Admissions requirements into the PK-12 Administrative I Certification program partially fulfill admissions requirements into the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program. If you are interested in applying to the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program, please see the admission requirements for the Doctor of Education Program.