PK-12 Administrative I (Principal) Certification, Online

Overview and Mission

Neumann University’s graduate program leading to the Administrative Certificate: PK-12  Administrative I Certificate is consistent with, and driven by, the University’s Mission Statement. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in accord with the Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders Competencies, this program qualifies professionals to serve as elementary, middle, and secondary level principals, and as a supervisor of a single instructional or single pupil service area. This program offers the knowledge and skills necessary to direct, operate, supervise, and administer the organizational and general educational activities of a school. Thirty hours of field experience are embedded in each of six courses to complete half of the PDE-required 360 internship hours. The remaining 180 hours are completed during a six-credit internship. Field hours consist of “job- embedded” activities supported by the on-site mentoring of an experienced principal and the supervision of a University Internship Supervisor. (24 credits) 

Principal Program Outcomes

A student who successfully completes the PK-12 Principal Certification Program is able to: 

• Understand and apply the skills and processes necessary to establish school/building culture for learning, equity, fiscal responsibility, professional ethics, curriculum development, and strategic planning which provide purpose and direction for the achievement of all students.
• Engage in school/building research and organizational context analysis that leads to effective decision-making, collaboration within and among stakeholder groups, and the use of data in a systematic and systemic way.
• Demonstrate the organizational skills to implement plans of action efficiently and effectively for student achievement.
• Understand and apply effective communication for sustaining and enhancing effective practices while drawing on strategic and visioning processes to lead stakeholders in system- and school/building-level change.

Program Design

The Administrative Certificate: PK-12 Administrative I Certificate program requires a total of 24 graduate credits which are specified in the Program Curriculum. Admission into the program requires six credits in special education. To be eligible for  PK-12 Administrative I Certification, a 6-credit internship: EDU 577 Principal Certification Internship, in addition to the six other required courses listed below in the Program Curriculum, are required.  The internship experience (EDU 577) along with field hours embedded in each course are the primary vehicle toward delivering the ideal “job-embedded” learning experience.  Because the school lifecycle is experienced over the course of 12 months, principal candidates must successfully experience a field experience of a minimum of 360 hours over a period of at least 12 months. In this program,180 hours are embedded into the six courses and 180 hours are completed during the internship course.  EDU 577 is a semester long faculty-supervised internship taken after all program requirements are successfully completed.  In addition to these curricular requirements, the student must complete the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s assessment, provide verifiable evidence to a chief school administrator of the completion of relevant professional experience defined as “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional program.”

Admission Requirements

Applicants who have completed an approved program of graduate study in educational leadership from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution who have successfully completed all prerequisite courses are eligible for entrance to the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Administrative I Certificate, subject to the approval of the Program Director.  Acceptance is on a competitive basis after submission of all credentials and an interview with the Program Director.  All applicants must submit the following:

• A completed Graduate Student Application, in print or online through www.neumann.edu. 
• Proof of completion of an approved program of graduate study in educational leadership from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution (required minimum graduate GPA is 3.00) and official transcripts from each regionally accredited, degree granting institution attended.
• 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 educational process.
• Letter of intent which outlines why you wish to pursue the Administrative Certificate: Pre K-12 Administrative I Certificate.
• Three names and telephone numbers of professional references. 
• A copy of current teacher certification.

Possess six credits in special education (If students do not have 6 credits in special education prior to the start of the program, the requirement can be met through program coursework.)

Nine credits may be transferred into the program with the approval of the Division Dean.

Once all admission materials have been received and processed through the Office of Admissions, the Graduate Program Director will arrange for an interview, if appropriate, following a review of all candidate credentials. 

Progression/Retention/Graduation Requirements

For the Administrative Certificate: PK-12 Administrative I Certificate, continued progress requires that the student maintain an overall “B” average (cumulative 3.00 GPA) in the required courses and satisfactory participation in the program. Completion of all degree requirements for the program is not to exceed five years. Exemption to this time limitation must be applied for in a written request to the Division Dean. Graduation from the program is contingent upon (1) submitting a signed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar on or before the date specified in the Academic Calendar; and (2) successful completion of all course work, including report(s) of action research, an effective, formal presentation of learning to a faculty committee, and an individual portfolio of developed resources and materials. The student must maintain an overall “B” average (cumulative 3.00 GPA) in all required courses, with no more than two grades of “C” level work. A six-credit  internship and successful completion of the state test are required for the principal certification. Pennsylvania Department of Education also requires candidates to complete an approved program of graduate study in educational leadership and presents evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Praxis Test required for administrative certification.