Program Overview
Prepare for positions of leadership in public, private, and charter schools with the online Principal Certificate 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.
The EWU College of Arts, Letters & Education educator programs are approved by the State of Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
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.
Tuition
This affordable Principal Certificate online program features pay-by-the-course tuition, with the same rate for all in-state and out-of-state students.
View additional tuition information +
Principal Certificate Online Program Tuition and Fees
Program
Per Credit Hour
Per 4-Credit Hour Course
Per Program
Principal Certificate
$263.26
$1,053.04
$8,425
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 4-Credit Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Certificate | $263.26 | $1,053.04 | $8,425 |
Application Fee: $75
Eastern Washington University is named one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction for demonstrating continued dedication to high-impact educational practices.
Calendar
The Principal Certificate 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:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter II | 2/8/2021 | 1/25/2021 | 2/1/2021 | 2/3/2021 | 2/6/2021 | 3/21/2021 |
| Spring I | 3/29/2021 | 3/15/2021 | 3/22/2021 | 3/24/2021 | 3/27/2021 | 5/9/2021 |
| Spring II | 5/10/2021 | 4/26/2021 | 5/3/2021 | 5/5/2021 | 5/8/2021 | 6/20/2021 |
| Summer | 7/6/2021 | 6/21/2021 | 6/28/2021 | 6/30/2021 | 7/4/2021 | 8/15/2021 |
| Fall I | 9/20/2021 | 9/3/2021 | 9/13/2021 | 9/15/2021 | 9/18/2021 | 10/31/2021 |
| Fall II | 11/1/2021 | 10/18/2021 | 10/25/2021 | 10/27/2021 | 10/30/2021 | 12/12/2021 |
| Winter I | 1/3/2022 | 12/16/2021 | 12/23/2021 | 12/28/2021 | 1/1/2022 | 2/13/2022 |
| Winter II | 2/14/2022 | 1/31/2022 | 2/7/2022 | 2/9/2022 | 2/12/2022 | 3/22/2022 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Eastern Washington University?
Admissions
We’ve streamlined the Principal Certificate online admissions process to help you get started quickly and easily.
View full admission requirements +
Principal Certificate Online Admission Requirements
- Master's degree in Education or related field
- Three years of work experience at time of program completion
- Teaching certification or ESA certification is required with graduation application
- Transcripts from all previous colleges/universities where you have earned credit
Have a question? Call us at 800-826-3411.
Courses
In order to earn the Principal Certificate online, you must complete 6 courses (including an internship) for a total of 32 credits.
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 6 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.
EDUC 565: Leadership for Today's Schools
Duration: 6 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.
EDUC 566: Leadership in School-Community Relations
Duration: 6 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.
EDUC 567: School Administration
Duration: 6 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.
EDUC 551: Supervision of Instruction
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
The work of the teacher or supervisor in improving instruction.
EDUC 660: Principal Internship I
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Practical, on-the-job experience for principal candidates planned cooperatively by a school district and the university. Students are selected for this experience by the university and the district in which the student is working.
EDUC 661: Principal Internship II
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Continuation of Principal Internship I. Practical, on-the-job experience for principal candidates planned cooperatively by a school district and the university. Students are selected for this experience by the university and the district in which the student is working.
EDUC 662: Principal Internship III
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Internships I & II. Practical, on-the-job experience for principal candidates planned cooperatively by a school district and the university. Students are selected for this experience by the university and the district in which the student is working.
EDUC 663: Principal Portfolio I
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
This course provides Principal Certificate candidates the opportunity to assemble a portfolio of work from graduate education courses and internship work that includes a reflective component. Candidates will provide evidence aligned with corresponding professional competencies.
EDUC 664: Principal Portfolio II
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Continuation of Principal Portfolio I. This course provides Principal Certificate candidates the opportunity to assemble a portfolio of work from graduate education courses and internship work that includes a reflective component. Candidates will provide evidence aligned with corresponding professional competencies.
EDUC 655: Principal Portfolio III
Duration: 6 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
Continuation of Principal Portfolios I & II. This course provides Principal Certificate candidates the opportunity to assemble a portfolio of work from graduate education courses and internship work that includes a reflective component. Candidates will provide evidence aligned with corresponding professional competencies.
