Program Overview

Program Details | Principal License

The Principal License program is designed to prepare future administrators to lead with vision, purpose, and a deep commitment to equity. Through courses such as Introduction to Culturally Responsive Leadership, High Leverage Practices to Promote Inclusion and Equity, and Culturally Responsive Teaching & Learning, participants gain the knowledge and tools to create schools where every student thrives.

Curriculum

The program curriculum prepares future administrators to lead with cultural responsiveness at the center of their practice, put equity into action through proven strategies, build meaningful partnerships with linguistically and culturally diverse students and families, and cultivate collaborative school climates rooted in trust. By adopting a systems-thinking approach, graduates are equipped to address inequities, inspire lasting change, and transform the challenges of school leadership into opportunities for equity, excellence, and belonging.

Program Format

Modality

The program is held entirely online with synchronous class meeting times via zoom. Some classes have required meeting times, while others have no required meeting times.

Part-time

The time to completion for the graduate certificate is 5 terms (1.25 years), and for the master's plus graduate certificate, it is 7-9 terms (1.75-2.25 years).

Scheduling

Classes are held primarily in the later afternoon and evening. The practicum requires daytime hours at the student's site or district.

Weekly Estimated Time Commitment

The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. Students should plan for at least 24 hours each week outside of class for studying, assignments, and related activities. As the program progresses, students engage in less coursework but more experiential learning through the practicum experience and related project, which takes additional time to complete. Generally, the practicum requires 12 hours per week.

Program of Study - Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate program consists of the following courses:

• ELP 569 Principal Leadership: Introduction to Culturally Responsive Leadership (4 credits)
• ELP 586 Principal Leadership: High Leverage Practices to Promote Inclusion and Equity (4 credits)
• ELP 571 Principal Leadership: Culturally Responsive Teaching & Learning (4 credits)
• ELP 506 Principal Leadership: Special Topics (4 credits)
• ELP 570 Principal Leadership: Culturally Responsive Human Relations (4 credits)
• ELP 573 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum I (4 credits)
• ELP 585 Principal Leadership: Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students and Families (4 credits)
• ELP 574 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum II (4 credits)
• ELP 572 Principal Leadership: Becoming a Systems Thinker (4 credits)
• ELP 575 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum III (4 credits)

Total program credits: 40

Program of Study - Master's Degree plus Graduate Certificate

The master's degree plus graduate certificate program consists of the following courses:

• Master's core coursework:
  • ELP 511 Principles of Education Research & Data I (4 credits)
  • ELP 520 Developmental Perspectives of Adult Learning (4 credits)
  • ELP 551 Social Foundations of Education or ELP 554 Philosophy of Education (4 credits)
  • ELP 568 Educational Organization and Administration (4 credits)
• Graduate certificate/ licensure cohort coursework:
  • ELP 569 Principal Leadership: Introduction to Culturally Responsive Leadership (4 credits)
  • ELP 586 Principal Leadership: High Leverage Practices to Promote Inclusion and Equity (4 credits)
  • ELP 571 Principal Leadership: Culturally Responsive Teaching & Learning (4 credits)
  • ELP 506 Principal Leadership: Special Topics (4 credits)
  • ELP 570 Principal Leadership: Culturally Responsive Human Relations (4 credits)
  • ELP 573 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum I (4 credits)
  • ELP 585 Principal Leadership: Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students and Families (4 credits)
  • ELP 574 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum II (4 credits)
  • ELP 572 Principal Leadership: Becoming a Systems Thinker (4 credits)
  • ELP 575 Principal Leadership: Clinical Practicum III (4 credits)

Total program credits: 56

The Principal License Clinical Practicum Experience

The Clinical Practicum Experience is a 360-hour field-based administrative practicum, equivalent to working 120 hours per quarter or 12 hours per week in a building-level administrative capacity. During the practicum, the administrative intern, supported by their on-site supervisor, seeks opportunities to develop fully as an educational leader and to acquire proficiency in the seven areas of administrative responsibility as outlined by TSPC's Performance Standards.

Licensure

Candidates seeking recommendation for the Principal License must:

• Possess a master's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Have completed the Principal Licensure program
• Have completed three years of successful licensed teaching or personnel service experience in public schools or regionally accredited private schools at the time of application
• Apply for the Principal License within 1 year of completing the program

Tuition and Fees

Program cost estimates are based on 2025/26 PSU tuition and fees only. The estimated costs are as follows:

• Master's Degree: $32,494 (resident), $35,055 (Washington border), $45,206 (non-resident)
• Graduate Certificate: $25,425 (resident), $27,625 (Washington border), $35,265 (non-resident)