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  1. WKU
  2. College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
  3. The School of Leadership and Professional Studies

School Principal Certification (Rank I)

School Principal (KP1 & KP2)

Step into the role you've been working toward. This program provides the direct pathway to earning your Level 1 and 2 Principal certification and achieving Rank I status in Kentucky. Our curriculum is designed to transform you from a classroom educator into a dynamic school leader, ready to foster a culture of achievement, empower teachers, and guide an entire school community to success.

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Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • A current, valid Kentucky teaching certificate

  • Three years of full-time, appropriate teaching experience

  • A master's degree or Rank II from an accredited institution

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all graduate coursework

  • A letter of reference and support from a current supervisor

  • A completed program admissions application, including a leadership statement and essay

Program Curriculum (30 Hours)

The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours. Click on any course below to view its full description.

A survey of theory and research in school leadership focusing on ethical, equity-driven decision making and practice. Explores processes for vocational discernment as a school leader and tools for assessing leadership strengths and growth areas.
An overview of the American legal system as it applies to P-12 education, Kentucky schools, and education policy.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Focuses on identifying processes to create and foster a positive professional and student culture that supports a unifying purpose of learning and achievement.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Focuses on identifying processes to create and foster a strong and healthy relationship between the school and both internal and external community stakeholders.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Develops understanding of best practices in curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote academic success for all students.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Develops human resource leadership skills for principal candidates, emphasizing teacher development through evaluation, coaching, and professional learning.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Focuses on managing people, processes, and data in service of a vision that ensures the safety and success of all students.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Focuses on leading school improvement by using data and collaborating to solve problems of practice and ensure success for all students.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Clinical experiences that build the capacity of aspiring educational administrators to solve problems in a variety of real-world contexts.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).
Students will apply course and program learning to solving problems of educational administration and supervision in diverse real-world contexts.
Prerequisite: EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently).

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 Last Modified 8/12/25