Online Graduate Certificate – Principal

Develop the skills and qualifications you need to lead effectively as a school principal or administrator.

1/27/25 Next Application Due Date
2/10/25 Start Classes
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Program Overview

Discover how the online Principal Graduate Certificate from EWU can advance your career

$10,400* Total Tuition
As few as 14-15 months Duration
32 Credit Hours

Prepare for positions of leadership in public, private, and charter schools with the online Graduate Certificate – Principal program from Eastern Washington University. This post-master's certificate program is based on state and national standards and will satisfy the requirements of the Washington State Department of Public Instruction for school principal certification.

The 100 percent online coursework is designed to enhance your expertise in governance, school law, leadership and strategic planning. You will also learn how to develop and implement curriculum, oversee teachers, and work more effectively with parents, the community, and district administrators. Taught by the same dedicated faculty who teach on campus, this online certificate program will prepare educators to be effective school leaders whether as principals, assistant principals, or program administrators.

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The Eastern Washington University School of Business is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).

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Also available online:

EWU offers a variety of graduate and post-master’s certificate programs in a convenient online format. Check out all our online certificate programs.

$10,400* Total Tuition
As few as 14-15 months Duration
32 Credit Hours
Professional Educator Standards Board logo

The School of Education programs are approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-826-3411

Call 800-826-3411

Tuition

See why our online grad certificates are cost effective

This affordable Graduate Certificate – Principal online program features pay-by-the-course tuition, with the same rate for all in-state and out-of-state students.

Tuition breakdown:

$325 Per Credit Hour
$10,400* Total Tuition
View additional tuition information +

Program Per Credit Hour Per 4-Credit Hour Course Per Program
Graduate Certificate – Principal $325 $1,300 $10,400*

Application Fee: $75

*Tuition and fees subject to change. Total program cost does not include foundation courses. If foundation courses are required, the cost will be added to the total program cost.

Tuition breakdown:

$325 Per Credit Hour
$10,400* Total Tuition

Calendar

Don’t miss these important deadlines

The Graduate Certificate – Principal online program is designed to be flexible for working professionals, with six-week courses and seven start dates a year. View the full calendar for upcoming start dates and deadlines for registration, required documents, and tuition payment.

Now enrolling:

1/27/25 Next Application Deadline
2/10/25 Start Classes

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition Deadline
Winter I12/30/2412/16/2412/24/2412/28/24
Winter II2/10/251/27/252/5/252/8/25
Spring I3/31/253/17/253/26/253/29/25
Spring II5/12/254/28/255/7/255/10/25

Now enrolling:

1/27/25 Next Application Deadline
2/10/25 Start Classes

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

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Admissions

Explore the admission requirements for this online principal certificate

We’ve streamlined the Graduate Certificate – Principal online admissions process to help you get started quickly and easily.

Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree
  • Official transcript from degree-granting university
  • Teacher certification
View all admission requirements +

Graduate Certificate – Principal Online Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree in Education or related field
  • Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded postsecondary credit hours**
  • Three years of successful school-based experience in an instructional role with students***
  • Teaching certification or ESA certification is required with graduation application
  • Official transcript from the college/university where degree was earned

Document Submission Information

Order your official, electronic transcripts from the degree-granting institution where you earned your highest degree (bachelor’s or master’s) and have them sent to Eastern Washington University.

  • Most EWU graduate programs only require one transcript. Please submit a transcript from your degree-granting institution. This transcript should include the final two years of your degree completion. If it does not, please submit transcripts to cover your final two years of earned credits.
  • Please note that transcripts ordered by main may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.

If you are ordering a mailed paper transcript, please have it sent to:

Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall 206
Cheney, WA 99004

Have a question? Call us at 800-826-3411.

**We encourage you to apply if your GPA is lower than a 3.0 and you have at least 3 years of professional work experience. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an Enrollment Services representative at 800-826-3411 for more information.

***Please note that building and central office administrative experience does not meet the instructional experience requirement.

If you do not hold a teaching certificate in Washington or do not hold a teaching certificate at all, you are still encouraged to apply.

Please note however that this will not lead to a teaching certificate in Washington. Additionally, this program may satisfy the requirements for states other than Washington. Please check with your applicable licensing board to determine whether this program satisfies requirements for licensure in the state in which you reside. For current contact information for applicable licensing boards, please refer to our State Authorization page. For information on certification in the state of Washington, contact Christi Wavada at [email protected].

Courses

View the syllabus for your online Principal Graduate Certificate program

In order to earn the Graduate Certificate – Principal online, you must complete 6 courses (including an internship) for a total of 32 credits.

Expand All
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
The work of the teacher or supervisor in improving instruction.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Court decisions and statutory law relating to the duties and powers of school officials and employees, compulsory school attendance, school census, child labor, control, and organization.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Focus on school leadership, developing with vision the knowledge and skills for strategically leading the planning, decision-making, communication, management, and change processes needed in 21st century schools and communities.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
A problem-based exposure to the multi-dimensional role of school-community relations and communication in school districts. The course addresses the Public Relations domain of the NPBEA and WAC standards for the principalship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Students will examine the role of the principal, using the ISLLC Standards as a framework. They will prepare themselves for leadership through research, discussion activity and application. Relevant and practical topics will be used to create the curricular content of the course. Students will exit this course with knowledge and understanding of what to expect and how to respond as a new principal. This is a course where practicality and purpose will support those preparing for an instructional leadership role.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internship and Portfolio I. During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internship and Portfolio I and II. During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internship and Portfolio I, II, III. During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internship and Portfolio I, II, III and IV. During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.
Duration: 6 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internship and Portfolio I, II, III, IV and V. During this course candidates gain practical, on-the-job, experience while assembling a portfolio of work demonstrating that they have met all required competencies for the professional program. Candidates must apply for, and be accepted by, the university and district at least two terms before beginning their internship.

Ranked among the Top 50 in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Regional Universities West" (2024)

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