Online Principal Preparation Certificate
Designed for candidates who have a master’s degree, a supervisor certificate and five years of full-time experience, this online, flexible Principal Preparation Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program prepares students to serve as a principal in public schools.
Why choose Rowan Online's principal training program?
A flexible online principal certificate program
Our online Principal Preparation Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program meets the requirements specified by the state of New Jersey, including a 300-hour internship. Our part-time, online accelerated format provides working professionals the flexibility they need to advance their educational career. Our program is tailored for candidates who have already earned a master’s degree and a supervisor certificate, have five years of full-time experience, and wish to serve as a principal in public schools.
2025-2026 Academic Year
Credits, Cost & Completion Time
Credits
Per Credit
Months to Complete
Application Deadlines
Spring Module B Entry Deadline
Start Dates
Spring Module B Start Date
Studying principal preparation online at Rowan
What You'll Learn
Rowan’s online Principal Preparation Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program requires the completion of 36 graduate credits.
Online principal preparation key courses
- Change for School Improvement
- Introduction to the Principalship
- School Finance and Records
- Law and Ethics for School Leadership
- Instructional Leadership and Supervision
- Building Organizational Capacity
- Practicum/Seminar in Administration/Supervision I
- Practicum/Seminar in Administration/Supervision II
Note: The course information above is not official and is subject to change. For an official list of available courses, please review the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Information for New Jersey teachers
Teachers in the state of New Jersey may apply to the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Principal Preparation program through the New Jersey Teacher Outreach Program (NJTOP®). For more information about NJTOP, click here.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE), not Rowan University, grants certifications based on requirements set by the state. While coursework for this program meets the academic requirements for NJ DOE certification, it is the student’s responsibility to meet all other certification requirements. For current NJ DOE licensure information, click here.
Per the New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE), "Educational services certificates are issued to support service personnel [in school districts], i.e. school social worker, school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, student assistance coordinator, etc.)." For NJ DOE Educational Services Certificate information and definitions, go to the New Jersey Department of Education licensure website for Educational Services Personnel.
The Rowan Online Experience
You don’t have to step away from your career to earn a certificate of advanced graduate study. Rowan Online offers asynchronous courses, active faculty engagement, part-time coursework and a platform that helps you stay connected to your peers and instructors when the time is right for you. You can continue making an impact on your campus while building the knowledge and leadership skills to grow into a higher education leader.
Admission Requirements
To begin the admission process for Rowan’s online principal preparation certificate program, you must submit the following application materials. Once you apply, a representative from the Rowan University Office of Admissions will reach out to confirm your application or notify you of any missing information. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program.
- Completed online application
- $65 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee
- Master's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional resume
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives (must include reasons for pursuing the Principal Certification)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should be from professional administrators (supervisor, principal, or superintendent) and include information which attests to applicant's ability to pursue a graduate degree.
- Typewritten statement of leadership experience (must include examples of previous leadership experience and abilities within specific positions/projects)
- Certificate Program Acknowledgement
- Copy of NJ Standard Instructional Certificate or Educational Services Certificate
- Optional interview (If selected for an interview, the applicant will be contacted directly by the Faculty Admissions Committee. The interview can be in person or via telephone.)
- Certificate Program Acknowledgement
- NJ DOE Record of Professional Experience
- Please submit the Record of Professional Experience form which must be filled out by your employer documenting five years of successful educational experience under a valid provisional or standard New Jersey or equivalent out-of-state certificate. The New Jersey Department of Education will make the final determination as to whether or not the experience meets NJ regulations
- The applicant must provide proof of appropriate certification as well as a letter of employment confirming the specific dates (not just years) during which the applicant has taught or served the educational community under the appropriate certificate.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition for Rowan’s online principal preparation certificate program is $877 per credit. This competitive graduate rate reflects the high-quality instruction, faculty support and accessibility Rowan offers its students.
Careers and Outcomes
Upcoming virtual information sessions and events
Have questions about earning a principal preparation certificate of advanced graduate study online? Rowan Online offers virtual info sessions that provide a closer look at the educational leadership degree program and Rowan as a whole. Hear from faculty, connect with admissions representatives and learn how the program supports scholar-practitioners through applied research and flexible coursework.
How can I get my principal certification online?
If you’ve been thinking about stepping into a school leadership role—whether as a principal, assistant principal, or instructional leader—there’s a reason that idea keeps coming back. Because you’re ready.
You’ve already built a strong foundation in the classroom. You’ve coached colleagues, led teams, or shaped your school’s culture in meaningful ways. Now, you’re looking for a way to formalize that experience and move forward.
That’s where a principal certification comes in. For many public schools, certification isn’t just helpful—it’s required. If you already hold a master’s degree and a supervisor certificate, have five or more years of full-time teaching experience, and wish to serve as a principal in public schools, this credential is often the final step toward a leadership role.
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