Principal Preparation Post-Master's Certificate Online
You are already leading in your classroom. Now earn the credential that puts you in a position to lead a school and take on greater responsibility for students, staff and outcomes.
Enrollment for our accelerated online MSEd programs is open. Get started today!
Program Overview
Earn your post-master's principal certificate online and take the next step into school leadership
$14,973
Total Tuition
as few as 12 -24 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
The Principal Preparation Post-Master’s Certificate online program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is for experienced educators ready to step into school leadership. This state-approved pathway leads to the Illinois principal endorsement on a Professional Educator License, the credential required to move into administrative roles.
In this online principal program, coursework focuses on what it actually takes to run a school, from supporting teachers and improving instruction to making decisions grounded in data, policy and day-to-day operations. Field-based internships take place in your own school or district, so you build leadership experience while continuing to work.
In this principal preparation online program, you will learn to:
- Learn to lead instructional practices that improve teaching and student outcomes
- Analyze and use data to guide school-wide decision
- Apply school law and policy in real administrative situations
- Develop systems that support school operations and staff performance
- Communicate effectively with teachers, families and school stakeholders
- Learn to lead instructional practices that improve teaching and student outcomes
- Analyze and use data to guide school-wide decision
- Apply school law and policy in real administrative situations
- Develop systems that support school operations and staff performance
- Communicate effectively with teachers, families and school stakeholders
Career opportunities:
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Dean of Students
- Athletic Director
- Instructional Coordinator
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Dean of Students
- Athletic Director
- Instructional Coordinator
All P-12 teacher educator and administrator preparation programs are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) from October 2023 - December 2029.
Tuition
Understand the cost of your principal certificate program
Tuition for the Principal Preparation PMC online program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
$499.10
Per Credit Hour
$1,497.30
Per 3 Credit-Hour Course
$14,973*
Total Tuition
*Tuition includes all fees and is subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to increase tuition and fees at any time.
Calendar
Find out when you can enroll
The Principal Preparation PMC program is delivered in an online format ideal for working educators, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that best fits your goals.
Upcoming Start Dates
8/12/26
Next Application Deadline
8/29/26
Start Classes
| Term | Start Date | Application/Financial Aid Deadline | Document & Financial Aid Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall I | 8/29/26 | 8/12/26 | 8/19/26 | 8/25/26 | 8/27/26 | 10/16/26 |
| Fall II | 10/24/26 | 10/7/26 | 10/14/26 | 10/20/26 | 10/22/26 | 12/18/26 |
Admissions
Check your eligibility for the PMC, Principal Preparation program
Admission to the Principal Preparation Post-Master’s Certificate online program is based on a variety of factors. You must submit all post-secondary academic transcripts and a $40 application fee.
- Master’s degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA in graduate studies work
- Transcripts from all previous colleges/universities attended
- Proof of Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) or out-of-state equivalent
- All applicants must show they have at least two years of full-time teaching experience, with four years required for licensure eligibility
- Successful completion of a candidate selection process, including a leadership portfolio, interview and mentor identification
- Qualifying for licensure at program completion requires passing the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) principal exams (ILTS Test 195: Principal as Instructional Leader and ILTS Test 196: Principal as Administrative Leader)
- No GRE score required for admission
- All applicants with foreign academic credentials whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency in advance of admission
- Proof of English Proficiency: requirements are minimum Level 4 (equivalent to TOEFL iBT 79), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent
- Note: International students cannot receive a visa to pursue this certificate and are eligible to apply only if concurrently completing a face-to-face graduate program
All required documents (e.g., official transcripts) should be sent to the following address:
SIUE Office of Graduate and International Admissions
Campus Box 1047
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047
Electronic official transcripts should be submitted to [email protected].
Have a question? Call us at 877-244-4661.
Courses
Build real leadership skills through online coursework and field experience
The Principal Preparation PMC online curriculum is comprised of 30 credit hours.
4 Field-Based Internship Courses (12 hrs)
See our other online post-master’s certificate programs.
