Graduate Certificate in Principal

Principal Certificate, Graduate

Principal Graduate Certificate-This graduate-level certificate program is designed for teachers or other certified staff members who have already completed a master's degree in an education-related field and want to pursue a career in educational leadership. A teaching certificate with 3 years of experience (by the end of the program) is required for admission on this path. Grounded in best practices and current research in educational leadership and management, this program prepares candidates to lead in diverse settings. 

Requirements for principal certification in the State of Washington include a teaching certificate or an educational staff associate certificate and at least three years of qualifying experience. Course work may begin any quarter, including summer. All courses must be completed prior to the internship.  

Candidates complete five prerequisite courses addressing all aspects of school leadership and a 540–hour internship. The internship begins each August and runs for the entire school year. This is an online accelerated program with 6-week academic sessions. For more information about this program visit our website. For information about internships for this program, visit our internship website. 

Admission Requirements

1. Have earned a master's degree in education or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. Have earned a grade point average of ≥3.0 on a 4-point scale during the final 90 quarter credits (or 60 semester credits) of enrolled coursework.
3. Hold or have previously held a regular teacher, educational staff associate, or Initial/Continuing CTE Certificate. Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required if a valid certificate is not already on record.
4. Verification of three years of successful school-based instructional experience in an educational setting.