Online Principal Certification Program (K-12) Post-Master's

principal certification program post-mastersGraduate from Classroom Leadership to School Leadership

Prepare for the challenges of school leadership with GMercyU’s online 27-credit Administrative I Certification preparation program.*
This comprehensive post-master’s online principal certification preparation program builds on your skills and experience to equip you to become an administrator or principal in a K-12 school.

See Program Details

Program begins
Fall 2025

Format
100% online, asynchronous

Program length
about 21 months

Model
Complete one course at a time in 7-week accelerated sessions (with one-week breaks between courses)

Benefits
Advance your career and earning potential

Alumni savings
10% tuition grant for GMercyU grads

The GMercyU Difference

Through a combination of online coursework and in-person practicum experiences, GMercyU’s online principal certification program will help you develop:

  • Practical managerial skills that will help you nurture talent in your teachers and staff
  • Insight into issues of school finance, law, and community relations
  • Understanding of the social, political, and economic issues that influence public education in the United States

Courses are presented in an accelerated format where you'll take one course at a time in seven-week blocks. With GMercyU, you can prepare for the challenges of school leadership without disrupting your busy schedule.

*Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.

As a GMercyU graduate, you will be able to:

  • Think and plan strategically to create an organizational vision focused on student success and communicate the vision to all relevant stakeholders
  • Create an organizational culture of teaching and learning in which student learning is paramount
  • Manage resources effectively to bring about desired results
  • Collaborate, communicate and empower others inside and outside the organization to pursue excellence in learning
  • Operate fairly and equitably exhibiting personal and professional integrity

Upon completing this program, you will be prepared to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment in the School Leadership Test Series to earn your Principal Certification.

 

At GMercyU, we select faculty members whose achievements inspire us. Our professors bring direct school experience, advanced research backgrounds, and a passion for teaching to your classroom. Their insights and mentorship will help you effectively create a safe, productive learning environment for all of your students.

Upon graduation, you and your classmates will join our extensive network of alumni. The colleagues, contacts, and friends you find in this leadership community will inspire you.

The online Principal Certification program consists of 27 credits. Please note that, as per Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, you must have at least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience with an Instructional I certification before you can obtain Principal Certification.

Core Courses for Educational Administration - 15 credits

EDU 574 School Law and Policy Issues
EDU 576 Human Resources and Staff Development
EDU 579 Current Issues in Education
EDU 593 Seminar in Educ Lead/Superv/Equity
EDU 595 Practicum I: Leadership in Supervision and School Administration

Concentration Courses for Educational Administration - 12 credits

EDU 571 The Principalship
EDU 573 School-Community Relations
EDU 577 School Resources Management
EDU 596 Practicum II: K-12 Principalship

To review course descriptions, please refer to the graduate catalog.

Curriculums for all education programs at Gwynedd Mercy University are subject to change pending program specific competency changes in certification by the PA Department of Education. New regulations in 22 PA Code Chapter 49 may result in changes for each education program at Gwynedd Mercy University.

To qualify for admission to our post-master’s education certification programs, you must provide:

  • Proof you have obtained a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0* 
  • Official transcripts from every college or university attended
  • Completed application form
  • A completed Disposition Questionnaire (PDF)
  • A professional reference from a superior/supervisor submitted via their email address
  • Professional resume
  • Two completed supervisory reference forms
  • A minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination (non-US applications only).
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates with a GPA lower than 3.0 are encouraged to apply and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
  • Personal interviews may be required as needed.
  • Academic instructional teaching experience.

Learn more about how you can become a leader in education with our innovative online principal certification program.

Call 833-588-5953 or email accelerate@gmercyu.edu to contact an admissions counselor. You also can also request more information today!