Residency Administrator Certificate (Principal)

Introduction

Designed for educators who hold a master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a master’s program. Candidates earn the Washington State residency administrator certificate (principal).

The Principal Certification program is offered via synchronous class meetings utilizing Zoom. This career-embedded graduate degree allows you to apply immediately what you are learning in real time, while working at your current job.   

Student Resources

Website: Education Leadership

Contact information: Tim Bruce, Miller Hall 418D, 360-650-3090, Tim.Bruce@wwu.edu; Carola McGowan, Miller Hall 417A, 360-650-3714, Carola.McGowan@wwu.edu

Department advising: See the Education Leadership webpage for specific details.

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

All applicants must complete the Graduate School online application, which includes:

• Unofficial transcripts from all attended institutions.
  • If you are extended an offer of admission, you will be required to provide official transcripts.
• Statement of purpose to include*:
  • why you want to become an education leader;
  • how your understanding of diversity relates to improving learning for all students;
  • your understanding of diversity and equity and your leadership experiences related to student diversity and equity in your response, recognizing that your school/district/college/university has students with diverse backgrounds;
    • *For this statement of purpose, diversity may include but not be limited to ethnicity/race and culture; religious affiliation; sexual orientation; socio-economic status; and students in highly capable, disability, and EL/ESL programs.
• Resumé outlining your education and professional history.
• Three professional references (follow graduate school application instructions). References should be from individuals who are building-level, district-level, or department or college administrators. In the application, you will be asked to list contact information for each reference, including their email addresses. After you have entered all of the information for each of your references, click on “submit recommendation request” and the recommender will receive an email prompting them to complete the reference form via the ApplyWeb Letter of Recommendation system. 

Program Requirements

Eligibility

1. Valid Washington State teacher or educational staff associate (ESA) certificate.
2. Three years demonstrated successful school-based experience required before State certification.

Internship

• Washington State Requirement: All candidates for the residency principal’s certificate must spend 540 hours in a full school-year field experience, of which at least one half shall be when students and staff are present.
• Mentor Supervision: The intern shall be under the supervision of a mentoring principal or vice principal certificated at the appropriate level with a minimum of three years of experience in the role.
• District Approval: Candidates must initiate and satisfy any internship approval procedures required by their district.
• University Credit: 540 hours of field experience (EDAD 592) translates to (12) credit hours in one academic year; i.e., three consecutive quarters of (4) credits each beginning Fall each year.

Application Deadlines

To receive full consideration for admission to this program, applicants must submit all application materials by the following deadlines:

• Fall Quarter: August 1
• Winter Quarter: October 1
• Spring Quarter: February 1
• Summer Quarter: May 1

Grade Requirements

All coursework and demonstration of state-required competencies must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better and within a five-year span.