Are you inspired to shape your education system? Are you driven to meet the challenges and opportunities of a continuously shifting educational landscape? If you are, then our Shippensburg University’s Principal Certificate program will empower you with the skills and tools needed today and tomorrow. Shippensburg University has partnered with Cumberland Valley School District, Harrisburg School District and the Capital Area Intermediate Unite to provide this valuable training to motivated educators.
There are seven Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders-approved courses, beginning with an online digital badging experience and including two job-embedded internships. The program is designed for students who are full-time educators. Courses are offered on weeknights and weekends to accommodate your schedule. There is a blend of face-to-face meetings and online work. All of the courses are taught by former administrators in the field of educational leadership. You will get to know your professors, who are able to mentor you toward potential career options.
You will gain a solid foundation in:
- Classroom action research and data-informed decision-making
- Legal and ethical issues that impact student learning
- Special education law
- Instructional leadership for diverse student populations
- Technology and designing effective program delivery
- Assessment for student learning
All of the courses are taught by former administrators in the field of educational leadership. You will get to know your professors, who are able to mentor you toward potential career options.
The program is designed for students who are full-time educators. Courses are offered on weeknights and weekends to accommodate your schedule. The courses require you to be engaged in leadership activities in your professional setting throughout the program, including:
- Developing a community project
- Shadowing an administrator
- Analyzing a curricular resource
- Exploring policy development
- Creating a building-level budget
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The Principal Certificate is a Nationally Accredited program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is a post-master’s program ideal for individuals who have earned their M.Ed and want to expand their leadership skills.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the application and transcript(s), Supervisory/Principal Certificate applicants must have Level II teacher certification, and applicants must submit:
- Resume: Three (3) years of successful teaching experience in elementary, middle, or secondary schools required
- Program statement: Provide a statement of purpose for seeking a principal's certification
- Two (2) recommendations required: One recommendation will need to be your building principal; Second recommendation will need to come from your District Office.
A candidate who has completed a master's degree other than the Master of Education degree in educational leadership at Shippensburg University will not be required to complete a second master's degree; however, his or her program may need to include additional courses identified as necessary to attain the required competencies. Students who have earned an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, or a related area, i.e., Reading, Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood, and need only K-12 Principal Certification may apply to the Dean of Admissions for the Post-Master's K-12 Principal Certification Program. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires a minimum of three years of professional school experience in order to be eligible for the Administrative I certificate.
The Supervisory/Principal Certificate has rolling admissions with no application deadline. Students can begin the program during the spring, summer, or fall terms. Once the application is complete, the Educational Leadership Department will begin the review process and make a prompt decision
Take the Next Step
Principal Certification Course Work
Policies for the Principal Certification Program
- The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires a minimum of three years of professional school experience in order to be eligible for the Administrative I certificate.
- A B average must be maintained for the credits required for certification, with not more than one C grade included.
- Courses or prescribed experiences may be repeated only with the approval of the student’s advisor, the chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education, and the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services.
- Prescribed experiences for the certification program must be completed within a three-year period. This requirement will apply unless an extension is granted for extenuating circumstances by the Department and the Dean.
- Individuals pursuing principal certification who have not gone through a candidacy review for the Master’s degree with the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education at Shippensburg University may be required to complete an interview. If required, this review must be conducted after completion of six to nine hours of coursework.
- It is essential the student work closely with his or her advisor throughout the program. A student is required to complete 15 credit hours at Shippensburg University in order for the Department to recommend him/her for certification.
- The practicum experiences will be individually prescribed programs based upon Pennsylvania Department of Education mandated competencies and the experiences of the candidate. Arrangements for practicum should be made one year in advance.
- Pennsylvania Department of Education requires a passing score on the Pennsylvania Department of Education School Leader Licensure Assessment. Go to https://www.ets.org/praxis/pa/requirements for more information.