Admissions | Principal License

Graduate Certificate
Master's Degree
How to apply

The Principal License Program is committed to attracting, enrolling, and retaining a diverse student body that mirrors Oregon’s K-12 student population and who are committed to promoting social justice, equity, and cultural competence.

Graduate Certificate Admissions Timeline
*Priority Application Deadline	January 15
Final Application Deadline	February 15
Program Start	Spring

*Submitting your application by the priority deadline will allow you access to the scholarship application due by February 1st.

Enrollment in each cohort is limited and the earlier you apply, the better your chance of being admitted to the upcoming cohort. Applications are reviewed as they are received and will close once the cohort is full. Applicants should expect to receive an admission decision via email from the Graduate School within 4 - 6 weeks.

Graduate certificate admissions requirements

Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the highest degree earned
Possess a current Oregon (or Washington) teaching or personnel service license
Have at least three years of successful licensed teaching or personnel service experience

Master’s Degree Admissions Timeline
Program Start	Fall	Spring	Summer
*Priority Application Deadline	--	January 15	--
Final Application Deadline	August 15	February 15	May 15

*Submitting your application by the priority deadline will allow you access to the scholarship application due by February 1st.

Master's degree admissions requirements

Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Possess a current Oregon (or Washington) teaching or personnel service license
Have at least three years of successful licensed teaching or personnel service experience

Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial transcripts from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé outlining your work and/or volunteer experience in an educational setting
Statement of purpose: Please complete a statement of purpose that answers the following prompt: Describe your current work and career plans for the future. Write 5 paragraphs, one for each of the 5 elements of the College of Education Values below. In each paragraph describe how you have demonstrated leadership in that element through your practice. Give specific examples of school improvement efforts in curriculum, instruction or change in your school and/or district that you initiated and implemented.
College of Education values
- Inclusive: we are welcoming and equity-focused
- Responsive: we mindfully serve our students and communities
- Engaged: we are connected and collaborative partners
- Creative: we are innovative and create knowledge
- Impactful: we are data-driven, process-oriented, and accountable
References: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Your references must be currently licensed administrators with at least three years of licensed administrative experience. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.
Teaching or personnel service license: Submit a copy or screenshot of your information from the TSPC system
Designation of Mentor form: Your Mentoring Supervisor must be an Oregon licensed administrator with a minimum of 3 years of licensed administrative experience.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the program requirements as well as the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Statement of purpose: Essays will be reviewed in terms of alignment with the College of Education Values, your ability to communicate, and the connection between your career goals and our program.
Two references: Your references must be currently licensed administrators with at least three years of licensed administrative experience. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.

Questions? Please connect with Stefanie Randol.

Admissions Instructions

Review the PSU Graduate School's minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application."
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select either:
“Principal License, Graduate Certificate"
“Educational Leadership and Policy: Principal License, MS and License"
1. For the master's degree, in your final term of Master’s Core coursework you will add the graduate certificate to your student account by submitting the electronic GO-19 form. Contact ELPadmit@pdx.edu with any questions.
Select the term you plan to start the program. Please note that the graduate certificate only admits for a spring start each year.