Post-Master’s Degree Certification Program for School Principals

Admissions Policies

A candidate who has completed a master’s degree other than the Master of Education degree in educational leadership at Shippensburg University will not be required to complete a second master’s degree; however, his or her program may need to include additional courses identified as necessary to attain the required competencies.  Students who have earned an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, or a related area (i.e. Reading, Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood, etc.) and need only K-12 Principal Certification may apply to the Dean of Admissions for the Post-Master’s K-12 Principal Certification Program.

1. The applicant shall present a copy of the applicant’s teaching certificate and evidence of three years of successful teaching experience in elementary, middle, or secondary schools.
2. Applicants who did not complete the Master of Education degree at Shippensburg University shall also provide official transcripts sent to the Dean of Admissions by any institution at which the applicant has taken undergraduate or graduate work. Applicants must obtain two reference forms from the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education. These forms are available at http://www.ship.edu/ELSE/Educational_Leadership/Forms/. One recommendation must be completed by a chief school officer (district superintendent or intermediate unit executive director) in the school or intermediate unit in which the candidate is currently employed or has been most recently employed. The second reference must be either from the applicant’s principal or immediate supervisor.
3. Applicants must submit a completed Practicum application between their school district and the Educational Leadership program. This should be completed one year in advance of the first practicum.
4. Recommendation for admission to the certification program will be determined by the faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education.

Policies for the Principal Certification Program

1. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires a minimum of three years of professional school experience in order to be eligible for the Administrative I certificate.
2. A B average must be maintained for the credits required for certification, with not more than one C grade included.
3. Courses or prescribed experiences may be repeated only with the approval of the student’s advisor, the chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education, and the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services.
4. Prescribed experiences for the certification program must be completed within a three-year period. This requirement will apply unless an extension is granted for extenuating circumstances by the Department and the Dean.
5. Individuals pursuing principal certification who have not gone through a candidacy review for the Master’s degree with the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education at Shippensburg University may be required to complete an interview. If required, this review must be conducted after completion of six to nine hours of coursework.
6. It is essential the student work closely with his or her advisor throughout the program. A student is required to complete 15 credit hours at Shippensburg University in order for the Department to recommend him/her for certification.
7. The practicum experiences will be individually prescribed programs based upon Pennsylvania Department of Education mandated competencies and the experiences of the candidate. Arrangements for practicum should be made one year in advance.
8. Pennsylvania Department of Education requires a passing score on the Pennsylvania Department of Education School Leader Licensure Assessment. Go to https://www.ets.org/praxis/pa/requirements for more information.