Why Earn a Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification with Etown SGPS?
Earning a Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification (PK–12) is a strategic step toward advancing your leadership career in education. This program is designed for licensed educators who already hold a master’s degree and wish to become certified as principals or assistant principals without pursuing an additional graduate degree. Through a combination of rigorous coursework and field experience, the program develops leadership, organizational, and ethical skills needed to guide schools and educational communities effectively. Candidates gain a deep understanding of key components for creating high-performing learning environments in today’s broad educational landscape.
Program Outcomes:
- Strategic Leadership: Establish and sustain a clear mission, vision, goals, and core values that foster shared commitment and drive continuous improvement toward achieving organizational priorities.
- Instructional Leadership: Strengthen teaching and learning by enhancing professional development, building staff capacity, implementing a rigorous curriculum, ensuring high-quality instruction, and maintaining strong systems of assessment and accountability.
- Culture and Climate: Create a community of care and support that advances equity, cultural responsiveness, inclusion, and the holistic development of all learners.
- Ethical Leadership: Model and promote ethical and legal behavior while grounding decision-making in strong ethical values and professional integrity.
- Organizational Leadership: Manage operational systems effectively, align and secure fiscal and human resources strategically, and ensure the safety and well-being of all stakeholders.
- Community Engagement Leadership: Partner with families and diverse community stakeholders to address local needs and leverage community resources for the benefit of schools and communities alike.
Online
Program Format
Become a Certified PK-12 Principal
The Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification (PK–12) meets a growing need for skilled educational leaders across Pennsylvania and beyond. As schools face new challenges in instruction, equity, and student well-being, the demand for qualified principals continues to rise. Graduates of this program are equipped with the vision, practical experience, and leadership capacity to create positive, lasting change in their schools and communities. Grounded in the Pennsylvania Leadership Standards, Special Education Competencies, PDE Common Ground Standards, and National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards, Etown’s program prepares leaders who not only meet certification requirements, but redefine what effective, ethical, and inclusive school leadership looks like.
Upon completion of the program, students may apply for the Administrative I Certification (Principal PK–12) through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) by meeting the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Pass the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment
- Verify at least three years of satisfactory professional experience in education
- Meet Pennsylvania’s good moral character requirements
- Submit a formal application to PDE
Understand Tuition Costs and Explore Scholarship Opportunities
SGPS Holiday Discount
Apply by Dec. 31 to receive 20% off your first Etown SGPS spring course beginning Jan. 12, 2026!
Apply Today
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SGPS Holiday Discount
Apply by Dec. 31 to receive 20% off your first Etown SGPS spring course beginning Jan. 12, 2026!
Apply TodayX
The Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification is priced at $525 per credit. Scholarships and financial aid are available to make your Etown SGPS education even more affordable. Below are just a few of the scholarships and programs available to students:
- Alumni Scholarship: 15% tuition discount, available to Elizabethtown College alumni.
- Affinity Partner Scholarship: 15% discount, offered to employees of organizations partnered with Etown SGPS.
- Jay Fellowship Referral Program: This is a referral program that benefits both current students/alumni and prospective students. When a student or alum refers a new student, both the referrer and the referred student receive a complimentary credit for their program of interest.
Tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change annually.
Tuition & AidOnline Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification
The Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification from Elizabethtown College requires 19 credit hours of academic work.
Required Courses
School Law and Ethics offers a holistic understanding of the dynamic and evolving legal landscape within K-12 education. Focusing on federal, state, and local laws/policies, participants will be equipped with the expertise to grapple with pressing legal issues affecting students, educators, and school leaders. In addition, this course explores ethical decision-making models through which educational leaders can navigate complex dilemmas. Through engaging discussions, real-world case studies, and a strong ethical foundation, participants will be empowered to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of educational law and ethical decision-making.
School Finance and Resource Management will explore how to manage financial and human resources within educational organizations efficiently. Participants will gain a deep understanding of budgeting, funding sources, resource allocation, and personnel management, all tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions.
School Supervision is designed to provide participants with the essential skillset and knowledge required to excel in supervisory roles within K-12 learning environments. This comprehensive course delves into the dynamic field of educational leadership, equipping students with the tools and strategies necessary to effectively navigate contemporary challenges associated with school administration.
Instructional Leadership and Coaching investigates best-practices in instructional leadership and coaching to inspire change, communication, and academic success. Participants will examine best practices and how to use data to drive instructional decisions.
The course will explore the foundations of educational leadership, equity, cultural responsiveness, and how leadership must evolve in diverse learning environments.
The Principal’s Internship is a required seminar and supervised field experience under the supervision of an active building principal for those individuals seeking a principal’s certification in Pennsylvania. Participants will gain valuable experiences in the supervision of teachers, scheduling, budgeting, staff development, community relations, etc. Repeatable for credit. Register by Instructor.
This one-credit course provides the final 30 hours of fieldwork required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to the Principal Internship. Candidates complete supervised leadership activities within their school or district, submit supporting artifacts, and reflect on how their work aligns with the Pennsylvania Leadership Standards and supports student growth.
Application Requirements & Process
To be eligible to apply to the Graduate Certificate in Principal Certification, you must:
- Have a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in an education related discipline (waivers may be granted based on professional work experience and other factors).
- Hold a valid Pennsylvania certification in one of the following areas: Instructional I or II Teaching Certificate, Educational Specialist Certificate, or other PDE-approved instructional support certificate (e.g., school counselor, librarian, school psychologist).
- Minimum of 3 years of satisfactory teaching experience in a PK-12 school.
- Contact or meet with our admissions staff for guidance and to find out more information.
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Complete the graduate application via the online portal which includes the submission of a $25 nonrefundable application fee, which is waived for Elizabethtown College graduates.
- You will need to request official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you have attended and upload your current resume.
- Additionally, prepare a 1-2 page essay addressing your motivation for pursuing the graduate certificate, a statement of professional goals, and goals for the application of the graduate certificate to your professional life.
- After submitting your application, the SGPS Team will review it and make an admissions decision.
- If accepted, you will receive an initial offer letter via the applicant portal, which you must accept to proceed with matriculation.
- If there are any questions or concerns, the admissions team will contact you for further discussion.
- After successfully completing your Elizabethtown College graduate certificate, students may complete the Advance in Graduate Certificate or Degree form in the JayWeb student portal to apply to a future graduate certificate or graduate degree. Additional materials may be required, depending on the program of interest.
Etown seniors, alumni, and employees may be able to take advantage of our two-step, fast-tracked application process.
