Learn How to Become a Principal, Superintendent, or Other Administrator in Pennsylvania with a Doctorate or Master’s in Educational Leadership

Pennsylvania takes care of its educators, and the state’s public school system is among the nation’s best. A robust and growing budget (it hit an all-time high of $14.7 billion in 2022-23) … a rising number of jobs in administration (between 1999-2000 to 2020-21, administrators, coordinators, and other professional staff grew by 38.5%) … and per-pupil spending that ranks it among the top states in the nation ($19,900 per student as of 2020-21, which ranked it eighth in the nation) are just a few of the reasons why it just makes good sense to take your career in education to the next level in the Keystone State.

There’s plenty of room to grow here, for sure, so there may be no better time than now to transition from the classroom and into education administration and leadership. Your enthusiasm and dedication to your craft hasn’t gone unnoticed, and transitioning to a building- or district-level position as a principal or superintendent is a natural progression as you look for new and exciting ways to make a difference in Pennsylvania’s public school system.

And there’s more good news. A growing number of colleges and universities now offer master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees in education leadership and administration. Whether you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you’ll find a wealth of master’s, EdS, doctorate and post-master’s certificate programs in educational leadership that will help you prepare to become a principal or superintendent in Pennsylvania.

How to Become a Principal in Pennsylvania – School-level Educational Leadership

You’ll need to add a Principal PK-12 Certificate to your current certificate (teacher, guidance counselor, librarian, etc.) through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Division of Certification Services to become a principal in Pennsylvania.

You’ll also need at least three years of relevant professional experience, which the PA Department of Education refers to as “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process.”

Once you meet these requirements, you can begin taking the necessary steps to become a principal in Pennsylvania.

Step 1. Complete a Pennsylvania-Approved, Graduate-Level Principal Certification Program

To qualify for the Principal PK-12 Certificate in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to complete a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level, principal certification program. These programs are often delivered within a master’s, educational specialist, or doctorate degree in educational administration or leadership, thereby allowing you to simultaneously earn your graduate degree and the coursework and practical experience requirements necessary for principal certification. There are many state colleges and universities that offer these programs, which are often designed as: