Graduate Certificate in Principal

Curriculum & Requirements

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. 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. 

This path is ideal for those interested in P-12 school leadership. A teaching certificate with 3 years of experience (by the end of the program) is required for admission on this path.

The Educational Leadership concentration is ideal for educators who have instructional experience in a traditional P–12 school setting. Grounded in best practices and current research in educational leadership and management, this program prepares candidates to lead in diverse settings. 

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

1a. Have earned a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

2a. Completion of a state-approved administrator preparation program.

           OR

1b. Three years of full-time, out of state administrator experience AND a copy of an out of state administrator certificate.

2b. Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required if a valid certificate is not already on record.

3. 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.

4. Applicants for the MEd program must also submit a copy of an educator certificate.

5. Hold or have previously held a regular teacher, educational staff associate, or Initial/Continuing CTE Certificate.

6. Verification of three years of successful school-based instructional experience in an educational setting.

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