Principal Certificate online
Gain leadership capabilities that positively impact students, teachers, and staff on a broader scale.
Program Overview
Learn why you should consider our online Principal Certificate program
The online Principal Certificate program at Youngstown State University prepares you to be a highly qualified, versatile, and culturally responsive educational leader. You will be equipped with essential knowledge and advanced expertise in policy, administration, and management that lead you on the path toward principal licensure.
The innovative curriculum for the principal certification online program meets the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards. In the 100 percent online coursework, you will develop leadership competencies that set you up to be a catalyst for change, growth, and success of students, teachers, and staff. You will learn to make positive impacts through instructional supervision, data-based school improvements, ethical public decision-making, school funding analysis, and much more. Plus, our immersive clinical experience within a school environment enables you to apply administrative and leadership theories, concepts, and best practices in real-world settings.
The Principal Certificate program is an additional pathway to Ohio principal licensure for experienced teachers who already have a master's degree. Graduates will be academically prepared for the Ohio principal licensure exam.
The educator preparation programs at Youngstown State University meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). For more information, contact CAEP by mail at 1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 or by phone at 202-223-0077.
In this online Principal Certificate program, you will:
- Gain an understanding of instructional leadership for building coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Examine educational policy, politics, and change theory
- Learn to become a culturally responsive leader
- Analyze school and state funding and budgeting through a research project
- Complete one substantial, school-based competency over the four clinical terms that associates with each of the seven NELP standards, including School Mission, Vision & Improvement; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Norms; Equitable and Responsive Culture; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships; Management Systems and Operations; and Capacity Building and Human Resources
- Gain an understanding of instructional leadership for building coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Examine educational policy, politics, and change theory
- Learn to become a culturally responsive leader
- Analyze school and state funding and budgeting through a research project
- Complete one substantial, school-based competency over the four clinical terms that associates with each of the seven NELP standards, including School Mission, Vision & Improvement; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Norms; Equitable and Responsive Culture; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships; Management Systems and Operations; and Capacity Building and Human Resources
- Gain an understanding of instructional leadership for building coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Examine educational policy, politics, and change theory
- Learn to become a culturally responsive leader
- Analyze school and state funding and budgeting through a research project
- Complete one substantial, school-based competency over the four clinical terms that associates with each of the seven NELP standards, including School Mission, Vision & Improvement; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Norms; Equitable and Responsive Culture; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships; Management Systems and Operations; and Capacity Building and Human Resources
The online Principal Certificate program prepares you for a variety of elevated roles, including:
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Vice Principal
- Education Administrator
In this online Principal Certificate program, you will:
- Gain an understanding of instructional leadership for building coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Examine educational policy, politics, and change theory
- Learn to become a culturally responsive leader
- Analyze school and state funding and budgeting through a research project
- Complete one substantial, school-based competency over the four clinical terms that associates with each of the seven NELP standards, including School Mission, Vision & Improvement; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Norms; Equitable and Responsive Culture; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships; Management Systems and Operations; and Capacity Building and Human Resources
- Gain an understanding of instructional leadership for building coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Examine educational policy, politics, and change theory
- Learn to become a culturally responsive leader
- Analyze school and state funding and budgeting through a research project
- Complete one substantial, school-based competency over the four clinical terms that associates with each of the seven NELP standards, including School Mission, Vision & Improvement; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Norms; Equitable and Responsive Culture; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships; Management Systems and Operations; and Capacity Building and Human Resources
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Vice Principal
- Education Administrator
Tuition
Choosing our online certificate program is cost-effective
YSU offers students affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
*In-state tuition.
Note: No payment plans are available for accelerated online students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Principal Cert | $415 | $420 | $1,245 | $1,260 | $9,960 | $10,080 |
Calendar
Know important upcoming deadlines
At YSU, we offer multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to get started on your online degree program. The chart below shows upcoming start dates, along with important deadlines, such as when your application should be submitted and when payments are due.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| First Starts | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/6/25 | 12/16/24 | 12/23/24 | 1/1/25 | 1/3/25 | 2/16/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/17/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/7/25 | 4/20/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/9/25 | 6/22/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/9/25 | 6/16/25 | 6/25/25 | 6/27/25 | 8/9/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/4/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/22/25 | 10/12/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/15/25 | 10/17/25 | 12/7/25 |
Admissions
Find out what it takes to enter the online Principal Certificate program at YSU
YSU's online Principal Certificate program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Online application
Minimum 2.5 GPA
Online application
Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $45 application fee ($90 International). Waived for active/veteran military members or for applicants who have attended the College of Graduate Studies in the past.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Names and contact information for 3 professional references (in online application)
- A master's degree from a college or university certified by a regional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions
- Submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (waived for applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher)
- Valid teaching certificate
- Documented proof that a supervising principal, superintendent, or other licensed administrator is willing to support the student’s candidacy and serve as clinical supervisor in accordance with YSU’s policies and procedures
Transcripts must be mailed from the granting institution or sent electronically through a secured server vendor.
Mailing Address:
YSU College of Graduate Studies
1 Tressel Way
Coffelt Hall
Youngstown, OH 44555
Email Address:
Courses
Discover what you will learn in your online Principal Certificate program
For the Principal Certificate online program, you are required to take eight courses for a total of 24 credit hours, including two core courses (six credit hours) and six leadership core courses (18 credit hours).
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