If new opportunities and challenges interest you and you hold an education-related master’s degree, preparing for school leadership as a principal, assistant principal or dean may be the perfect next step. Eastern Michigan University (EMU) offers an online Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration program designed for working professionals who already have a master’s degree and would like to advance into a school leadership career. This program could suit you well if you need a flexible and efficient option to meet school principal education requirements.

Become an Outstanding Educational Leader

To earn the Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration from EMU, you will “study pertinent topics such as leadership in culturally pluralistic educational environments, community relations, instructional leadership, continuous school improvement, budgeting and economics, and human resources principles.”

This certificate program aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders developed by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration. Further, all professional education programs at EMU are fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Michigan Department of Education.

As a certificate candidate, you will work one-on-one with an advisor to determine your coursework, based on your educational and professional background. When you complete this 100% online program, you will satisfy traditional pathway educational requirements for building-level school administrator certification in the state of Michigan, so you can pursue new professional opportunities and new challenges as an educational leader.

Become a Stronger Educational Leader

School principals play an important and rewarding role in school success. Too often, however, they suffer from loneliness and stress, which results in high turnover rates. This is especially true in low-income neighborhoods where crime is a daily occurrence. Challenging circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic can also lead to and exacerbate school principal burnout and turnover.

Ongoing professional development, training and education can be essential for addressing issues that lead to burnout, along with various other strategies like distributed leadership, fostering resilience and emphasizing self-care. Education, mentoring, support and motivation help keep principals on the job. Further, training for educational leadership must be comprehensive and high quality, reflecting the complexity and challenges of the job. A school principal cannot thrive without the tools and training to do so.

Each of the courses in EMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration online program strengthen your skills as a leader and help you stay up-to-date on current educational trends. The classes offered for this degree will boost the pursuit of your professional goals and revitalize your leadership skills. You will find new ways to promote each student’s academic success in a collegial atmosphere over an extended period of time.

A Program to Earn Your Certificate or Enhance Your Skills

As a professional with an education-related master’s degree, you may want to know what it takes to be a qualified, student-focused principal. With an eye on a future in leadership, you understand the importance of high-quality preparation, open communication and a supportive community. The rigorous coursework required to earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration from EMU will provide you with skills to become a successful school leader while reinforcing those you already have as an educator.

Learn more about EMU’s online Post-Master’s Certificate in K-12 Basic School Administration program.