Program Overview

Pacific Lutheran University Programs

Principal Preparation Program

The PLU Administration Certification program is a 12-month program built and advised by current district practitioners. The program provides candidates with the practical knowledge and skills they need to lead a school community in a responsive and results-oriented way.

Rigorous coursework and clinical experiences lead to the development of a Culminating Professional Portfolio, which includes practical performance-based documentation of candidates' knowledge, skills, dispositions, and professional behaviors.

This practitioner-focused program is led in a cohort-based model by knowledgeable faculty and local practitioners. It connects theory, research, and practice in an intertwined and interdependent web.

Program Highlights

• Instructional Leadership: With a focus on best practices, candidates will learn how to support achievement of all students, evaluate instruction, and lead learning.
• High-Touch: Small cohorts allow for individualized coaching, engaged discussions, and meaningful feedback.
• Balance: The simultaneous internship paired with coursework allows for interns to practice theory while reflecting on leadership effectiveness.
• Convenient Schedule: Summer courses are held in the evenings to accommodate interns who are working throughout the day. During the regular academic year, courses are held 1 to 2 evenings per week in the fall semester and less frequently in the spring.

Related Programs

• Education
• Master of Arts in Education: Alternative Routes to Certification
• Master of Arts in Education: Non-Certification Program
• Master of Arts in Education: Residency & Alternative Routes Options