Principal Certification Program
The focus of the program is on the eight domains associated with school leadership: organizational leadership, instruction and assessment, standards-aligned curriculum development, teacher evaluation, budget and finance, school law, collaboration/communication, and school/community relations.
The program begins in the summer with a Principal Preparation Seminar and is followed by a sequence of four internship courses that allows the candidate a full year of experience in a school or school district.
During the summer, classes are at Robert Morris. During the fall and spring, 80% of the internship is in area schools, 10% at Robert Morris, and 10% on-line.
All Principal Certification Candidates are assigned to a mentor principal from the participating school, and a university supervisor from the teaching faculty at Robert Morris.
Students with at least two years of teaching may apply. Admission requirements are as follows:
- complete an RMU Graduate Admissions application
- submit a professional resume
- submit two letters of recommendation
- provide a copy of a valid teaching certificate
- provide documentation of at least two successful years of teaching
- provide transcripts that document a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA
After an application is received, the program coordinator will contact the applicant to:
- submit a written essay response to a selected topic on leadership
- participate in an interview to determine membership in the cohort
Click to visit the RMU Office of Graduate Admissions website to find out about tuition and fees, financial aid, and how to apply for the program; or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions directly at email@example.com or 800-762-0097.
To apply, go to rmu.edu/gradapply. You can complete the application online with no application fee. Alternatively, you can download the graduate application PDF form, and then mail in the completed form with required documentation and $35 application fee.
Course of Study
Master of Science in Instructional Leadership with Principal Certification:
LEAD6030 Leadership and Special Education Internship
LEAD6040 Leadership and Professional Development Internship
EDUC6065 Educational Statistics
EDUC6130 Educational Research
EDUC6140 Instructional Leadership Capstone