Have you ever asked yourself the question “how do I become a school principal?” The Program Certificate in Principal Education is an academic program for people in the educational field who are seeking positions such as principal or vice principal. This type of program will also prepare you for other types of administrative jobs, as you will be learning about many important aspects of how schools are managed and operated on a day-to-day basis.
Many colleges and universities with graduate educational programs also offer this type of certification preparation program. In fact, Lamar University offers a Program Certificate in Principal Education fully online, giving educators the flexibility needed to continue working while they complete their certificate program.
Moreover, school principals earn good salaries, with median 2021 pay of over $98,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, the cost of preparing for certification online, which is often cheaper than a traditional program, can be a good investment in your career.
What Is a Certificate in Principal Education?
This educator certification is almost always conferred by the state in which you will be working once you’ve met the state’s requirements. Principal certification preparation programs are open to educators who already hold master’s degrees and who want to prepare to become a principal or other administrator in the education field.
Pursuing this certification typically requires current teacher certification and several years of classroom teaching experience. Since becoming a school principal entails many responsibilities, your certification preparation process will involve learning a variety of skills and strategies. These include:
- Managing and supervising faculty and staff: Principals must supervise teachers and school administrators and provide effective leadership for the school.
- Defining a plan for school-wide academic achievement: Principals are accountable to parents, the school district and the state for student achievement, so they must understand what drives students to achieve and create strategies to improve performance and maintain high performance levels.
- Employing strong communication skills: Principals must mediate between teachers, students, school employees, parents and school district personnel. This requires strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
- Overseeing budgets: Funding is a challenge for many schools. Principals must learn to create workable budgets that foster the best possible learning environment.
Benefits of an Online Certificate in Principal Education
If you are interested in earning a Certificate in Principal Education, you may want to consider an online program. Several high-quality colleges and universities like Lamar University offer this option.
An online Certificate in Principal Education has many advantages over traditional study. You can save money, as some online programs cost significantly less than traditional degree programs. You save the time and hassle of having to travel to classes with no need to commute. Since you are not limited by geography with online learning, you can choose among many different schools and programs.
If you have a job in education, you can also continue working, earning a wage and advancing your career while you earn your principal certificate online. Online study lets you create a schedule that’s convenient for you and supports a healthy work-life balance.
If you are a teacher who likes the idea of becoming a principal, you should consider earning a Program Certificate in Principal Education. This is a valuable level of certification that can help you fulfill your career goals. You should also look into online programs such as Lamar University’s so that you can prepare for principal certification at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Learn more about the Lamar University online Program Certificate in Principal Education.
