Principal Certification

Program Overview

Seattle Pacific University's 24-month Principal Certification program prepares working professionals for the Residency P-12 Principal Certificate. The program includes core courses, an internship, and multiple assessment methods. Graduates are eligible for the certificate and qualified for leadership positions in education. SPU's strong reputation in P-12 education ensures a high employment rate for graduates.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Seattle Pacific University's Principal Certification program is a 24-month program designed for working professionals who aim to obtain their Residency P-12 Principal Certificate. The program's primary objective is to equip educators with the necessary expertise and skills to address complex issues, collaborate effectively with peers, administrators, and parents, and ultimately exceed school, district, and state goals.

Outline:

The Principal Certification program is structured as follows:

Program Duration:

24 months (full-time) or 14 months (with summer sessions only)

Program Credits:

30 credits

Summer Session Program:

For faster completion, SPU offers a "Summer-Only" option where students complete seven required classes in consecutive summers, with the internship taking place during the intervening school year.

Core Courses:

The program's core consists of seven essential courses:

EDAD 6580 Leadership in Education (3 credits)

EDAD 6581 Leadership for School Culture (3 credits)

EDAD 6584 School Finance (3 credits)

EDAD 6585 School Law (3 credits)

EDAD 6586 Human Resources Management (3 credits)

EDAD 6588 Supervision of Instruction (3 credits)

EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3 credits)

Internship:

The Principal internship (EDAD 6940, 9 credits) is an integral part of the program, allowing students to engage in leadership and administrative activities under the guidance of a mentor principal or assistant principal in a school setting. The internship spans a full school year, with 540 hours of required experience, while students can maintain their full-time teaching contracts.

Assessment:

The Principal Certification program employs multiple assessment methods to evaluate student learning and progress:

Coursework Assignments:

Students' understanding of course content is assessed through assignments, projects, and presentations.

Internship Performance:

The internship is a crucial component of the program, and student performance is closely monitored and evaluated by their mentor principal or assistant principal.

Exit Exam:

To obtain the Residency P-12 Principal Certificate, candidates must successfully complete the exit exam administered by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board.

Teaching:

The Principal Certification program at SPU is delivered through a combination of instructional methods:

Course Delivery:

The program offers courses both on campus and online via a synchronous meeting platform. On-campus classes meet one evening per week, while online classes meet during weekdays during the summer session.

Faculty:

The program is led by accomplished faculty who are experts in educational leadership and are committed to student success. They provide mentorship and guidance throughout the program and beyond.

Unique Approaches:

The program incorporates practical, hands-on experiences, including the internship, to ensure that students are well-prepared for real-world leadership roles in schools.

Careers:

Upon successful completion of the Principal Certification program, graduates are eligible to obtain the Residency P-12 Principal Certificate from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington state. With this certification, graduates are qualified to pursue careers as school principals and other leadership positions within the field of education. SPU's reputation in P-12 education is strong, and graduates enjoy a higher rate of employment than the state's average.