Post-Baccalaureate Principal PK-12

Department Contact:

Director: Dr. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068

Accreditation Statement:

Saint Francis University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  

Program Description:

The Principal PK-12 program provides advanced professional study and the opportunity to pursue certification as a school principal to candidates with an Instructional II certificate. The program is designed to develop school leaders who can respond to the changing needs of the community they serve by providing visionary, instructional and administrative leadership.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Curriculum and Instruction  

Students will demonstrate the understanding of curriculum and instruction design elements in K-12 learning environments by utilizing researched-based best practices to evaluate teaching and learning.   

  

School Law and Advocacy   

Students will demonstrate how to apply systems thinking in decision making situations in K-12 settings and align to Federal, state, and district requirements.   

  

Research Approaches and Principles in Education  

Students will demonstrate how to structure problems for solution and frame issues for resolution using data sources for K-12 education.   

  

Ethics and Special Education   

Students will demonstrate how to operate in a fair and equitable manner with personal and professional integrity that is culturally relevant to a K-12 environment.   

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 2 years of part-time study

Accreditation Statement:

The teacher preparation and certification programs offered at Saint Francis University at the undergraduate and graduate level are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17126; (717)783-6788. PDE approved preparation programs are designed to prepare and certify educators to teach or serve in the schools of the Commonwealth. www.education.pde.gov 

Admission Requirements:

Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education department will review all applicants throughout the year and candidates will receive an acceptance letter from the Director. In order to be considered for application, applicants must submit the following information:

• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. If candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits. The student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine credits to be admitted to the program. If these requirements are not met the student will not be admitted to
• Official transcripts with a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0;
• Copy of Instructional Certificate;
• Ideally, have completed five (5) years of professional school experience; minimally, have completed three (3) years at the outset of the program.

How to Apply:

This is an online program available through Francis Worldwide.

Admissions Deadline:

The program has rolling admission. https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/PAEducators/Pages/PrincipalRequirements.aspx

Technical Standards or Essential Functions:

Saint Francis University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits or services, programs or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination by the University as required by the Americans with Disability Act. The Education Department adheres to the policies for academic accommodation as determined by the Center for Academic Success. The Center’s Office of Disability Services assists eligible students in receiving basic services as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate academic accommodations for students who experience physical or mental disabilities. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation to the accessibility coordinator upon request of the accommodation.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

• Students must complete their degrees within five (5) years of their initial enrollment.  
• A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.  

Certification and/or Licensure:

The Post-Baccalaureate Principal PK-12 program provides advanced professional study and the opportunity to pursue certification as a school principal to candidates with an instructional II certificate. The program is designed to develop school leaders who can respond to the changing needs of the community they serve by providing visionary, instructional and administrative leadership.  

The program strives to prepare future administrators to provide visionary leadership, instructional leadership and administrative leadership.  

Upon completion of the program requirements, candidate must pass the Pennsylvania School Leadership Licensure Assessment test. Upon successful completion of this test, candidate will be recommended for certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) TIMS.  

 

See Principal PK-12 Certification Requirements: https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/PAEducators/Pages/PrincipalRequirements.aspx  

Total Credits Required:

25 credits

Note:

Students will have 360 hours of clinical observations in the two required practicum courses. These clinical hours may be completed in the student’s current place of employment with instructor permission.