Principal Certification

Preparing to lead

Our programs fit your experience

There are a variety of ways to obtain initial Principal Certification at Seattle University. The pathway you choose depends on your educational goals and whether you are starting your program with a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. All principal certification programs are designed for the working professional.

There are three ways to obtain initial Principal Certification at Seattle University. All principal certification programs are designed for the working professional.

Applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree may obtain:

Applicants with a master’s degree have the following pathways:

Post-Master’s Principal Certificate

Seattle University’s Principal Certificate prepares K-12 certified professionals to lead elementary or secondary schools. This program attracts aspiring administrators who are passionate about making a difference — and who see themselves as leaders of other professionals in pursuit of excellence for students, staff and schools.

The Post-Master’s Principal Certificate is designed for working professionals and who already have a master’s degree. The program offers evening and weekend class times and takes only six quarters to complete.  The cohort begins each spring.

Admission Deadlines

  • Application deadline: February 10
  • Deadlines for international students are available on the Graduate Admissions website.

Admission Requirements

  • Completed online application form and $55 non-refundable application fee
  • College of Education Self-Evaluation Form provided through the application
  • Resume reflecting at least three year’s successful relevant work experience
  • Evidence of earned master’s degree from regionally accredited institution or U.S. equivalent. As evidence submit official, degree-posted transcripts from all graduate-level coursework. If transcripts are mailed directly to the applicant, envelopes must remain sealed.
  • A regular teacher, educational staff associate or Initial/Continuing CTE Certificate (current or expired)
  • Two recommendations from supervisors within past five years using College of Education Recommendation forms provided through the application
  • Interview with writing sample.

Please note: in addition to the completion of the program, all students must meet the following OSPI requirements in order to qualify for a WA Principal's Certification:

  • Hold or have previously held a regular teacher, educational staff associate or Initial/Continuing CTE Certificate
  • Verification of three years of successful school-based instructional experience in an educational setting
  • Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required, if a valid certificate is not already on record

English Language Requirement

Applicants for whom English is a non-native language must demonstrate English proficiency regardless of English language studies, residence in the United States or an English-speaking country, or immigration status.

Graduate applicants with a baccalaureate or higher degrees from recognized colleges in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia and who have continued to reside in countries where English is the primary language for at least two years prior to applying to Seattle University will have this requirement waived.

English proficiency may be met with an official TOEFL score of 92 (IBT), or 580 (PBT); the IELTS exam with a minimum score of 7.0; PTE score of 62.

Post-Master’s Principal Certificate Requirements (37 credits)

  • EDAD 5000 – Leadership for Social Justice (3)
  • EDAD 5010 – Community Engaged Leadership (3)
  • EDAD 5011 – Individual Work Planning to Ensure Quality Leadership Development -Internship Planning (1)
  • EDAD 5012 – Team Building and Organizational Development (3)
  • EDAD 5013 – Teaching, Learning and Data Use (3)
  • EDAD 5014 – School Law, Policy, and Finance (3)
  • EDAD 5031 – Pro-seminar I (2)
  • EDAD 5032 – Pro-seminar II (2)
  • EDAD 5033 – Pro-seminar III (2)
  • EDAD 5041 – Leadership Internship (community-engaged internship) (3)
  • EDAD 5041 – Leadership Internship I (year-long school/district internship) (2)
  • EDAD 5042 – Leadership Internship II (year-long school/district internship) (2)
  • EDAD 5043 – Leadership Internship III (year-long school/district internship) (2)
  • EDAD 5910 – Instructional Leadership (3)
  • EDAD 5910 – Participatory Action Research (3)

To learn more, contact the Educational Administration program at EdAdmin@seattleu.edu.

 

Gainful Employment Disclosure for Post-Master's certificate in Educational Administration, Principal

Post-Master's certificate in Educational Administration, Principal

Course of Study

Year 1

Spring

  • EDAD 5011: Individual Work Planning to Ensure Quality Leadership Development -Internship Planning (1)
  • EDAD 5910: Instructional Leadership (3)
  • EDAD 5910: Participatory Action Research (3)

Summer

  • EDAD 5000: Leadership for Social Justice (3)
  • EDAD 5010: Community Engaged Leadership (3)       
  • EDAD 5041: Leadership Internship (community-engaged internship) (3)

Fall

  • EDAD 5013: Teaching, Learning and Data Use (3)
  • EDAD 5031: Pro-seminar I (2)
  • EDAD 5041: Leadership Internship I (year-long school/district internship) (2)

Winter

  • EDAD 5014: School Law, Policy, and Finance (3)
  • EDAD 5032: Pro-seminar II (2)
  • EDAD 5042: Leadership Internship II (year-long school/district internship) (2)

Year 2

Spring

  • EDAD 5012: Team Building and Organizational Development (3)
  • EDAD 5033: Pro-seminar III (2)
  • EDAD 5043: Leadership Internship III (year-long school/district internship) (2)