PA School Principal Certificate Only
Grades K-12
Program Highlights & Benefits
Flexible, online format
1 year completion time, including holiday breaks
#1 Provider of Graduates for Principal Certification in Pennsylvania since 2019, according to PDE data
Complete one course every 8 weeks
For
Professional educators who already hold a Master’s degree in Education and who wish to enter into a leadership position as a Principal or Assistant Principal in a K-12 school.
To be eligible for certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education at the end of the program, candidates must have three years of professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process and pass the required Praxis exams.
*Students with Master’s in Counseling/School Psychology will need to be reviewed for admission and may be required to complete the Master’s in Educational Administration Program rather than the stand alone Principal Certification Program.
What You Learn
The mission of Point Park University’s School Principal Certification program is to prepare professional educators for leadership positions as school administrators or principals. We will achieve this by advancing professional knowledge that supports the intellectual, social, and personal development of learners; integrating leadership and supervisory theories and skills with problem solving and decision making models; encouraging collaboration, communication, professional development, and responsible management of educational programs and resources; and conducting educational research that enhances organizational effectiveness.
How You Learn
Online Format: This is an online cohort program. No face-to-face class meetings are required, but students will be engaged in an active and engaging online classroom environment that includes assignments, materials, discussion threads, assessments and/or group activities done electronically. Two 3-credit practicum courses are included in your course schedule, where you will be responsible for completing the mandated number of observation hours required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to certification. These hours will need to be completed in a K-12 environment with a certified administrator. You will finish one 3-credit course every 8 weeks. Following this schedule, you will complete the program in approximately 1 year.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will have earned a graduate-level certificate and will be eligible for certification as a K-12 School Principal in the state of Pennsylvania.
Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
| EDUC 545 | The Principalship | 3 |
| EDUC 538 | Educational Administration | 3 |
| EDUC 549 | Applied Research Practicum I: School Administrator – School Principal K-12 | 3 |
| EDUC 546 | Clinical Supervision and Leadership | 3 |
| SPED 634 | Leadership for Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 550 | Applied Research Practicum II: School Administrator – School Principal K-12 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Please Note:
Program and course requirements are subject to change to comply with university policy.
Successful completion of the assigned Praxis exam is required for certification. Please be aware that it is the student’s responsibility to regularly review the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website for the most up-to-date testing requirements specific to your certification area, as PDE does make periodic changes to the requirements. For detailed information, please refer to the PDE Testing Requirement Link: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/help/quick-reference-for-applicants.html
In order to receive certification at the end of the program, candidates must provide a chief school administrator’s verification of the completion of a minimum of three years of professional experience in an instructional area and must be recommended for certification by the Point Park University authorized certification officer.
Students will need to complete six practicum credits in a K-12 environment with a certified administrator to satisfy Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements pertaining to field experience and observation hours prior to certification.
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