Designed for aspiring administrators, Portland State University’s College of Education offers Oregon’s premiere online Principal License program. Co-developed with Portland Public Schools, backed by the Wallace Foundation, and built from the ground up around equity-centered leadership, our program equips you to become a transformational school leader. Through this program, you will learn to manage student needs, lead staff development, and build inclusive school cultures. Earn your graduate certificate or master’s degree in as little as 15 months and take your next step as a leader ready to reshape K-12 education.
In the College of Education at Portland State University, we believe school principals are vital agents of change. And we’re here to help you become the advocate your community needs. PSU’s Principal License program is structured purposely to help you develop an adaptable, student-centered, and equitable school culture.
- Equity-Centered Leadership: At PSU’s College of Education, equity is not an elective—it is the foundation of our program. Built on five core pillars—including Cultivating Cultural Intelligence and Transformative Equitable Decision-Making—our curriculum prepares you to address systemic barriers, analyze equity data, and build authentic community partnerships that serve historically underrepresented students.
- Specialized Administrative Training: Gain a competitive edge with specialized coursework focused on managing English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education programs. Learn how to design high-impact programs, support specialized educators, and advocate effectively for every learner in your school.
- A Built-In Professional Network: Join an intentional pipeline of diverse teacher leaders. Our collaborative online cohorts feature live Zoom sessions, fostering real-time discussion, shared problem solving, and lifetime professional relationships across the Pacific Northwest.
- Real-World Faculty & District Expertise: Learn directly from active school district leaders and full-time PSU faculty. Our instructors bring up-to-the-minute field experience and actionable insights into the digital classroom, ensuring your learning is immediately applicable.
Flexible Licensure Options to Meet Your Needs
Prerequisite: To qualify for a Principal License in Oregon, you must have at least three years of experience as a licensed professional (e.g. as a classroom teacher or school counselor). Not a licensed educator yet? Explore our Become a Teacher page to get started.
Graduate Certificate Pathway: Designed for educators who already have a master’s degree. This shorter, fully online path focuses strictly on the required licensure coursework.
Master's Degree Pathway: Designed for educators with a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. This flexible path integrates your principal license training into a full master’s degree.
Where our graduates work
Alumni from the PSU Principal License program are actively reshaping schools across Oregon and Southwest Washington. As a recognized regional leader in administrator preparation, PSU graduates are heavily represented in major urban, suburban, and rural systems, including Portland, Salem-Keizer, Beaverton, Hillsboro, North Clackamas, and Bend-LaPine—as well as regional educational service districts.
PSU graduates work as:
- Principals
- Assistant Principals
- Assistant Superintendents
- Instructional Coordinator/Supervisors
- Special Education Administrators and Directors
- Special Education Psychologists
- Superintendents
Ready to take the next step in your teaching career?
Apply to PSU’s Principal License program today and gain the practical skills you need to lead schools, teachers, families, and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between PSU’s graduate certificate and master’s degree options?
If you already have a master’s degree of any kind, you should pick the graduate certificate program. If not, you are required to complete the master’s degree in order to receive your license from the state.
How long does it take to get my principal license and degree?
PSU’s fully online graduate certificate program takes just 5 terms (15 months) to complete. You will begin in spring term and finish up at the end of the following spring. If you need to earn the master’s degree, you should plan to take two to three additional terms, finishing in less than two years.
I am working full time in a school. Can I balance my work and this program?
Yes! PSU’s Principal License program is designed for you. We want you to take what you learn in class and apply it at work!
How do the practicum experiences work?
As a PSU student, you will complete hands-on clinical practice primarily at your current school site under the guidance of a vetted mentor and university supervisor (averaging 10 to 12 hours per week across Fall, Winter, and Spring terms). Rather than watching leadership from a distance, you will actively facilitate meetings, analyze data, and implement real school projects. To broaden your expertise, you will also complete 40 hours of experience at a different building and grade level.
Why choose PSU for my principal license?
PSU College of Education is a recognized leader in equity-centered administrator preparation. Developed through a five-year partnership with Portland Public Schools and supported by a five-year Wallace Foundation initiative, our Principal License program is designed around real-world challenges facing Pacific Northwest schools. You receive rigorous training in equity data analysis, instructional coaching, and district alignment—making PSU graduates among the most sought-after administrative candidates in the region.
Accreditation
Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).