Certificate Options:

1. Principal License Certificate
2. Educational Leadership Certificate (with advisor approval only)

Principal License Certificate Designed for:

This program is designed for current licensed educators who are seeking to enhance their leadership skills and prepare for a position as a building adminstator in Oregon K-12 schools.

• The Principal License Certificate helps you meet the requirements to become a licensed school administrator in Oregon, preparing you to step into leadership roles such as principal or vice principal. It equips you with the skills to lead schools effectively, use data to drive decisions, implement equitable practices, and foster positive change in diverse educational settings. Through practical experience and coursework aligned with state and national standards, you’ll be ready to take on the complex challenges of school leadership with confidence. Upon completion of this certificate, candidates are eligible to be recommended for an Oregon Principal License through the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).

To start, you need:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Working in a school within the Willamette ESD service area
  • Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties
• Two years of licensed educational experience

Finishing will take:

• 40 credits

Begin your Principal License Certificate:

• Winter term 2026: do not have a master’s degree
• Spring term 2026: already have a master’s degree

Where you will take classes:

• Online: synchronous and asynchronous: fall, winter and spring

Technology you will need:

• Computer with internet connection

Where this certificate can take you:

• Building Adminstrator
• Further career advancement

Learning outcomes:

1. Effectively apply the content expertise (knowledge, skills, dispositions) of their education profession.
2. Use research and evidence to develop environments that support and assess learning in their own professional practice.
3. Show commitment to, and develop professional, educational leadership attributes.

Deadlines and key dates:

• Winter Term: December 1st
• Spring Term: March 1st

STOP: Gradaute Program Prereview Process:

Before you begin the online application for the Graduate Program, you must first complete the prereview process. This includes the following steps:

1. Attend an Information Session
   You are required to attend an information session led by Dr. Alicia Wenzel. This session provides essential details about the program and the pre-screening process.

2. Eligibility Requirement
   Applicants must be current educators working in a school within the Willamette ESD school service area.

3. Approval and Application Fee Waiver
   Once your pre-screening materials are reviewed and you have been invited to join the next cohort, you will receive a unique application fee waiver code. You may then proceed with submitting your official online application for the university.

Detailed application requirements for Western Oregon University:

Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:

• Transcripts
  • You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
  • Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing GRE scores to be fully admitted.

• Professional Characteristics Form
  • Review the professional characteristics document and upload it.

Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.

K-12 Leadership Certificate curriculum overview:

This program is designed for current licensed educators who are seeking to enhance their leadership skills and prepare for a building administrator position in an Oregon K-12 school. 

Your plan of study:

Once admitted to Principal License Certificate program, you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the certificate you choose. By filing this Certificate Plan (PDF form), you have an example of the program to discuss with your coordinator. The program is currently undergoing changes related to credits moving to 4 credit courses. 

*Students completing an endorsement, certificate, or specialization only are not eligible for federal financial aid.