It’s no secret that California’s educational system has had its share of struggles. Poor policy choices that directed fewer resources to the state’s school system created a ripple effect that resulted in plummeting per-pupil spending, overcrowded classrooms, fewer student support services, and declining student outcomes.
But the future looks much brighter for the Golden State’s educational system, thanks to Proposition 98 and its surge of desperately needed funding. In fact, the 2022-2023 California budget reveals that per-pupil investment has nearly tripled from just a decade ago. The budget of $102 billion is an increase of more than $8 billion from the 2021 budget alone.
For tireless educators like you, California’s renewed commitment to its education system has inspired you to forge ahead and make the next move in your career. Becoming a principal or superintendent in California will allow you to be on the frontlines of this new era of education reform and make a difference in the state’s education system in new and exciting ways.
But before you can settle into this new phase of your career in education, you’ll need to satisfy the requirements for administration. Whether a master’s, educational specialist, or doctoral degree is what you seek, you’ll pursue it with the same passion and fervor that got you where you are today and will allow you to become the type of administrator who will take California’s education system confidently into the future.
How to Become a Principal in California – School-level Educational Leadership
Congratulations! You’re a credentialed educator in California, and now you’re looking to advance your career and move into administration and become a principal.
If you want to become a principal in California, you must earn an Administrative Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
With this in mind, you’ll begin the next phase of your career with, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and a clear California clear or life teaching credential.
You must show proof of at least five years of full-time experience in a public, nonpublic, or private school (in California or any other state). Experience may include any combination of the following: teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, or clinical/rehabilitative services.
Once you have this experience under your belt, you’ll be ready to complete the steps necessary to become a principal in California.
Step 1. Complete a Commission-Approved Program or Achieve a Passing Score on the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE)
You must show proof that you have completed one of the following:
- A Commission-approved program of specialized and professional preparation in administrative services, which includes passing the Administrative Performance Assessment (APA) and receiving a formal recommendation from the program’s sponsor.
- A one-year Commission-approved administrative services intern program that includes supervised, in-service training and a formal recommendation from the California college or university where the program was completed.
- The California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE). This exam is administered by Evaluation Systems (Pearson). You can take this exam online or at a testing center near you during specific three-week windows throughout the year.
There are many colleges and universities in California that offer Commission-approved programs leading to the Preliminary Administrative Services credential.
Post-baccalaureate Educational Leadership Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) programs leading to the Preliminary Administrative Services credential include about 24-27 credits of study and a field-experience residency. They can often be completed in as little as two semesters, and most are designed as cohort programs.
Graduate degree programs, which are designed as master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate programs in administration, include the option of adding the Preliminary Administrative Service credential. Some schools require students to first earn the credential and then enter the graduate program in administration. Just some of the degree options include:
- MA in Educational Administration
- MS in Educational Leadership and Administration
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration
Step 2. Land a Job as a California Principal and Apply for a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
You cannot apply for a Preliminary Services credential in California until you have secured a job in administration.
If you have completed the above requirements but haven’t yet secured a principal position, you may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which verifies that you’ve met all of the requirements for a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. The Certificate of Eligibility has no expiration date. Once you’ve secured a position, you may then apply for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential with the Commission.
Step 3. Meet the Requirements of the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential and Apply for a Standard Administrative Services Credential
The Preliminary Administrative Services credential is valid for up to five years, during which time you’ll work to meet the requirements of the Standard Administrative Services credential.
To qualify for the Standard Administrative Services credential, you’ll need to:
- Show proof that you completed at least two years of full-time experience in an administrative position in a California school; AND
- Complete an administrative services induction program (a period of support and mentoring during the first and second years of your administrative service) and obtain your program sponsor’s recommendation
Step 4. Maintain your Standard Administrative Services Credential
The Standard Administrative Services credential is valid for five years and can be renewed online through the CTC Online system. California has no coursework or service requirements for renewal.
School Principal Salary and Jobs in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California principals earned a median salary of $126,980 as of May 2021, and a top salary of about $156,220.
While most metro areas in the state reported salaries that were similar to the state’s median, both the Modesto and San Jose metro areas reported much higher median principal salaries, at $150,430 and $154,530, respectively.
Modesto City Schools district is home to 35 schools (and an alternative education program) and 32,000 students, while the San Jose Unified School District has 41 schools and about 31,000 students.
Other median salaries for California principals, according to metro area included:
- Bakersfield: $126,010
- Fresno: $124,260
- Los Angeles: $127,090
- Napa: $127,670
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario: $127,960
- San Diego: $126,790
- San Francisco: $128,300
How to Become a Superintendent in California – District-Level Educational Leadership
If you want to become a superintendent, associate superintendent, or deputy superintendent in California, you must earn an Administrative Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
You’ll need at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and a clear California clear or life teaching credential to become a superintendent in California. You’ll also need to have at least five years of full-time experience in a public, nonpublic, or private school (in California or any other state). Experience may include any combination of the following: teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, or clinical or rehabilitative services.
Once you have the required experience, you’ll be ready to complete the following steps to become a superintendent in California.
Step 1. Complete a Commission-Approved Program or Achieve a Passing Score on the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE)
You must show proof that you have completed either a Commission-approved program leading to a Preliminary Administrative Services credential or take and pass the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE).
There are two Commission-approved avenues for earning the education and training that lead to the Preliminary Administrative Services credential:
- Post-baccalaureate Educational Leadership Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) programs leading to the Preliminary Administrative Services credential include about 24-27 credits of study and a field-experience residency. They can often be completed in as little as two semesters, and most are designed as cohort programs; OR
- Graduate degree programs with a built-in Preliminary Administrative Service credential may be designed as master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate programs in administration. Some schools require students to earn first earn the credential and then enter the graduate program in administration. Just some of the degree options include:
- MS in Educational Leadership and Administration
- MA in Educational Administration
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration
You can also qualify for the Preliminary Administrative Service credential by taking and passing the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE). This exam is administered by Evaluation Systems (Pearson). You can take this exam online or at a testing center near you during specific three-week windows throughout the year.
Step 2. Land a Job as a California Superintendent and Apply for a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
You cannot apply for a Preliminary Services credential in California until you have secured a job in administration.
If you have completed the above requirements but haven’t yet secured a superintendent position, you may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which verifies that you’ve met all of the requirements for a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. The Certificate of Eligibility has no expiration date. Once you’ve secured a position, you may then apply for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential with the Commission.
Step 3. Meet the Requirements of the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential and Apply for a Standard Administrative Services Credential
The Preliminary Administrative Services credential is valid for up to five years, during which time you’ll work to meet the requirements of the Standard Administrative Services credential.
To qualify for the Standard Administrative Services credential, you’ll need to:
- Show proof that you completed at least two years of full-time experience in an administrative position in a California school; AND
- Complete an administrative services induction program (a period of support and mentoring during the first and second years of your administrative service) and obtain your program sponsor’s recommendation
Step 4. Maintain your Standard Administrative Services Credential
The Standard Administrative Services credential is valid for five years and can be renewed online through the CTC online system. California has no coursework or service requirements for renewal.
Superintendent Salary and Jobs in California
According to the BLS, superintendents in California earned about $163,080 as of May 2021. In the San Jose and Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro areas, however, the average salary for superintendents was much higher, at $193,590 and $194,980, respectively.
There are 20 public school districts in Santa Barbara County, with the largest unified district being Santa Barbara Unified, which has nearly 15,000 students. The San Jose Unified School District is much larger, with 41 schools and about 31,000 students.
Other average salaries for superintendents in California at this time were:
- Bakersfield: $161,190
- Chico: $156,180
- Fresno: $161,140
- Los Angeles $162,700
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura: $166,440
- Sacramento: $160,400
- Salinas: $167,720
Educational Leadership Degree Options in California: Doctorate and Master’s in Educational Leadership
In the years leading up to 2030, the number of education administrator jobs in California is projected to increase by 8.3 percent, rising from about 25,300 in 2020 to 27,400 in 2030. These positive numbers aren’t surprising, given the surge of money and resources expected in the Golden State in the coming years. It’s an exciting time to take your career to the next level and become a principal or superintendent.
A master’s, educational specialist, or doctorate degree is the next logical step in your career as you look to education administration. Fortunately, there are many programs, both in and outside of California, that offer MEd, MS, MA, EdS, and EdD programs. Many of these degree programs are offered in convenient and flexible online formats that allow you to earn your graduate degree while still maintaining your professional and personal commitments.
Chapman University
Attallah College of Educational Studies
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Leadership Development
Also offers:
Minor in Leadership Studies
Concordia University - Irvine
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online
MA in Educational Leadership
- Concentration: Social Emotional Learning Character and Ethics
Also offers:
Ed.D in Leadership, Bachelor’s in Christian Education Leadership
High Tech High Graduate School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online, campus
M.Ed in Educational Leadership
Hope International University
College of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online
MA in Educational Administration
La Sierra University
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Administration and Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.S in Administration and Leadership
Ed.D in Administration and Leadership
Loyola Marymount University
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Educational Leadership
- Concentrations: Catholic School Administration Certificate Concentration, General Foundational Concentration
Also offers:
MA in Higher Education Administration
Ed.D in Educational Leadership for Social Justice
National University
Accreditation: WASC
Online
M.Ed in Educational Leadership
Northcentral University
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online
M.Ed in Organizational Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.D in Educational Leadership
Ed.S in Educational Leadership
Northeastern University Oakland (formerly Mills College)
College of Professional Studies
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
M.Ed in Higher Education Administration
Notre Dame de Namur University
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in School Administration
Pepperdine University
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Accreditation: WASC
Online, hybrid
MS in Leadership
- Concentrations: Pre-K to 12 Education, Higher Education, Organizational Leadership and Learning
Saint Mary's College of California
Kalmanovitz School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Teaching Leadership
Also offers:
MA in Educational Administration
Ed.D in Educational Leadership
Santa Clara University
School of Education and Counseling Psychology
Accreditation: WASC
Hybrid
MA in Educational Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.D in Social Justice Leadership
Soka University of America
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Educational Leadership and Societal Change
Touro University California
Graduate School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
M.Ed in Educational Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.D in Leading Innovative Diverse Organizations
University of La Verne
LaFetra College of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
M.Ed in Educational Leadership
- Concentration: Option to earn a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
Also offers:
Ed.D in Organizational Leadership
University of Massachusetts Global
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online
MA in Education
- Concentration: Educational Leadership and Administration with PAS Credential
Also offers:
MA in Education (Educational Leadership, Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
University of Redlands
School of Education, Department of Leadership and Higher Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Education
- Concentrations: Higher Education and Student Affairs, Higher Education (Higher Education track, Student Affairs track)
Also offers:
Ed.D in Leadership for Educational Justice
University of San Diego
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Higher Education Leadership
University of San Francisco
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Organization and Leadership
MA in Catholic Educational Leadership
- Concentration: Option for Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
Also offers:
Ed.D in Organization and Leadership
Ed.D in Catholic Educational Leadership
University of the Pacific
Benerd College
Accreditation: WASC
Online (low residency)
MA in Leadership
- Concentrations: Organizational Innovation and Change, Leading for Social Justice
Also offers:
Ed.D in Leadership and Innovation
Ed.D in Transformative Action in Education
Vanguard University of Southern California
Division of Arts, Education and Humanities
Accreditation: WASC
Campus
MA in Education
- Concentrations: Christian Education Leadership with Preliminary Credential, Christian Education Leadership
Also offers:
MA in Education-Teacher Leadership
William Jessup University
School of Education
Accreditation: WASC
Online
MA.Ed
- Concentrations: Leadership and Research Concentration, Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2023.