This administrative certificate program is offered by the Educational Leadership department and prepares you for state certification as a principal in the public schools. Courses are offered in many locations across Arizona with admission applications being processed throughout the course of the year.
If you are interested in our online program, or an in-person cohort, contact the department to learn more at edl@nau.edu.
If you are a school district interested in starting a cohort in your community, contact us at partnerships@nau.edu.
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and aligns with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards.
This administrative certificate program is offered by the Educational Leadership department. Completion of this program also leads to an Institutional Recommendation for AZ State Administrative Certification.
Eligibility to enter the internship component of the program requires that you have a posted master's degree (in any field), a minimum of three years teaching experience in Pre K-12 education, and the completed sequence of coursework preceding the internship. This program leads to Pre K-12 administrative certification for principals in the state of Arizona. In addition to completing this program, state certification requires that you complete specific documentation and take the appropriate state examination(s). Please visit the Arizona Department of Education Pre K-12 administrative certification webpage for additional information.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose
The purpose of the Principal Pre K-12 Graduate Certificate program is to prepare its participants for Arizona State Administrative Certification as a K-12 public school principal. To complete the certificate requirements participants must earn twenty-seven credits through required courses that translate theory into practice as the role of the school principal, instructional planning, supervision of instruction, personnel administration, publicity and politics, leadership skills, school funding, and school law are examined. The program also includes an internship in a school where participants will apply what they have learned in their courses. Nine additional educational leadership elective credits or transfer credits from another program in educational leadership are required to complete the thirty-six credits required for the certificate. Following completion of the Principal Pre K-12 Graduate Certificate program participants will receive an Institutional Recommendation and may apply for state certification.
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC).
A building-level education leader applies knowledge that promotes the success of every student by:
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Take the following 36 units:
Following completion of the Graduate Certificate program, students will receive an Institutional Recommendation and may apply for state certification.
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.