Principal Certification Program Admission Screening

To complete your application, applicants must submit the following THREE items:

1. Professional Presentation

   Prepare a self-running multimedia presentation that is 5-10 minutes long to address the reasons you would be a good candidate for advanced certification.

   Respond to these prompts and see rubric for further details:

   • Why do you want to pursue this program?

   • What do you see as the role(s) of the educational leader?

   • Our programs emphasize professional dispositions and behaviors. How do you view yourself as an equity-centered professional? Why is this important for the role of the educational leader?

   Key Elements:

   • Review the rubric.

   • Multimedia means combining text, audio, images, and/or video to communicate your message.

   • You must be visible in the presentation; video presence with or without slides is acceptable.

   • The media element should be good quality—easy to hear and see.

   • The recording must be clear without excess background noise for evaluation.

   • The pace must be appropriate for clarity.

   • The presentation must be self-running meaning the viewer does not have to click through slides.

   • This is a professional presentation, and your appearance should reflect that of a future professional educational leader.

   Potential Platforms for the Multimedia Presentation

   Please share a link for the presentation in the appropriate field below. Please make sure to provide access if applicable.

2. Philosophy Statement as an Educational Leader

   A philosophy statement is a purposeful and reflective essay about the author’s beliefs and practices. It is an individual narrative that includes not only one’s beliefs about the educational leader’s role but also concrete examples of the ways in which he or she enacts these beliefs in the school. A well-crafted philosophy statement gives a clear and unique portrait of the author as an education leader.

   A philosophy statement should include an introduction, body, and conclusion; address these specific aspects in your statement:

   • Introduction: A thesis statement discussing your general beliefs about the role of an educational leader

   • Body: In this part of the statement, explain how you would put your educational leadership ​​ideals into practice. Clearly state your goals and objectives. Describe specifically what you hope your leadership will accomplish. Help the reader visualize your philosophy in the school setting.

   • Conclusion: Conclude by focusing on what makes you unique as an educator and why you embody the characteristics of an ideal instructional leader.

   Key Elements:

   • Review the rubric.

   • The statement should be between one and two pages.

   • Use present tense, and write the statement in the first person.

   • Avoid jargon. Use common, everyday language, not “technical terms.”

   • Cite your sources (if any).

   Please upload a PDF version of your philosophy statement in the appropriate field below.

3. District Letter of Support

   Additionally, please obtain a letter from your district (either from your campus principal or district administrator or HR department) that provides evidence that they support your pursuit of the principal certification program and view you as a potential hire for your district. (Must be signed with contact information of district personnel provided.) This is important because of the need for collaboration with district personnel to complete the practicum as well as the three tasks for the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) for certification.

   This letter can be addressed to Dr. Jennifer Engle, Educational Leadership Program Coordinator.

   Please upload a PDF version of the district letter of support in the appropriate field below.