College of Education

Principal License plus Master's Degree

Master's Degree & Licensure

Principal License plus Master's Degree

Students raising their hands in a library

Quick Facts

  • 56 credits
  • As little as seven terms to a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy and Principal licensure
  • Master's core offered in face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online formats (format varies by term) and must be completed prior to beginning the Licensure cohort coursework
  • Licensure cohort courses offered in synchronous online format
  • Admits fall, spring and summer terms. Once admitted, you will be assigned to the following spring term Principal License cohort. Cohort coursework begins each spring term and continues through the following spring term.

Effective 21st century school administrators lead with creativity, crafting engaging ideas and backing them up with action. PSU’s Principal License program prepares award-winning anti-racist, culturally responsive school leaders through ongoing support during the program and beyond.  that supports administrators during their licensure program and beyond. PSU’s program meets the highest professional standards and has regularly earned local and national accolades for its equity focus.


Our graduates are leaders who give back to the community by co-teaching with our faculty, advising in our program, and building a strong network of support for our interns and graduates.  Our students and instructors are racially, linguistically, geographically, and culturally diverse, and our network provides personalized support through coursework, mentoring, practicum experiences, and networking throughout your leadership career.


Feel confident making strong decisions when it matters most, and move cutting-edge educational practices forward.

Program Coordinator

Melanie Marrone
askcoe@pdx.edu
503-725-4619

Admissions Advisor

Stefanie Randol
askcoe@pdx.edu
503-725-4689*

*You can text me!

Program Benefits

  • Job-embedded experiences and projects, focused on leadership for equity
  • Culturally responsive leadership strategies
  • Change leadership strategies, focused on equity, using Improvement Science
  • Emotional intelligence with an anti-racist, equity focus
  • Job application and placement support, even beyond your graduation
  • Networking with our vast network of seated administrators
  • Experienced Oregon school administrators teach our courses
  • Flexible course format options, at an accessible price

Program Specifics

  • Enjoy convenient scheduling for working professionals, where students learn individually and in groups
  • Benefit from your peers’ knowledge and experience in our unique cohort model

Our graduates

Graduates become licensed school administrators with strong anti-racist leadership in public K–12 settings.

Why PSU?

PSU is Oregon's most diverse, innovative and affordable research university.  All faculty associated with the PSU principal preparation program are experienced school leaders with considerable experience leading PK-12 schools. They have successfully reduced educational disparities in urban, suburban, and rural school districts throughout Oregon, ranging in size from 120 to 55,000 students. Our professors model anti-racist, culturally responsive teaching through our choice of book topics and author background, collaborative learning opportunities. We scaffold learning, providing multiple opportunities for practice, and providing diverse ways to provide evidence of proficiency within a safe, caring environment in which the linguistic, racial, ethnic, and other manifestations of diversity are elevated and celebrated. As one graduate stated, “Learning to be a leader for equity was the most valuable part of the program. I was part of a talented group of peers who taught me that this work is possible. We need to continue advocating for what is right for all students.