Program Overview

Principal Endorsement Program

The Principal Endorsement program at DePaul University is designed to prepare principals and assistant principals for work in public and private schools in the state of Illinois. This program is an approved Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) program.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Principal Preparation licensure program, students must:

• Hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher at the undergraduate level and a 3.25 or higher at the graduate level.
• Possess at least two years of full-time successful teaching experience.
• Hold a valid Illinois teaching license.
• Possess proof of passing two Principal content-area tests.
• At the time of program completion, students must have at least 4 years of full-time, successful teaching experience to apply for licensure.

To apply, please submit the following items:

• A completed graduate application
• Online application fee
• A copy of valid Illinois teaching license
• Proof of passing two Principal content-area tests
• One official transcript from all colleges and/or universities attended
• Letters from district office recommending entrance into the principal preparation program
• Four letters of recommendation (two from a supervisor and two from colleagues)
• Resume showing evidence of adequate background for the program
• Statement of purpose indicating why you want to be a principal

Upon initial review, the process will include a required interview. Candidates will be expected to complete an on-site writing sample during the interview and submit a teaching portfolio.

Course Requirements

The principal licensure program is a 41 quarter hour program, which leads to the State of Illinois' principal licensure.

Educational Leadership Courses: 33 Quarter Hours Required, Grade of C or Better Required in All Courses

• A&S 491: Effective Leadership of Schools (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 492: The Principalship (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 493: Data Driven Decision Making (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 494: School Finance (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 495: School Law (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 496: Stakeholder Relationships (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 498: Instructional Supervision and Support (4 quarter hours)
• A&S 601: Introduction to the Internship (1 quarter hour)
• A&S 604: Principal Licensure Internship (4 quarter hours)

Additional Courses: 8 Quarter Hours Required, Grade of C or Better Required in All Courses

• CS 493: Curriculum Development and Assessment in K-12 Schools (4 quarter hours)
• BBE 599: Leadership in Educating Linguistically Diverse Learners (4 quarter hours)

Program Completion and Licensure

Individuals seeking the principal licensure must:

1. Complete an approved principal licensure program at an Illinois institution.
2. Complete all state-mandated training and examinations.
3. Have successfully completed the internship experiences.
4. Hold a master's degree.

Upon successful completion of all principal licensure program requirements and any additional requirements, students must apply for their license. Students are to work with the College of Education's Licensure Officer when applying for the license. This graduate certificate program is approved as a Gainful Employment Program through the U.S. Department of Education and is, therefore, eligible for Federal Student Aid.