Administrator Certification
Information for candidates and alumni of WWU Residency Principal, Professional Administrator, and Initial Superintendent programs.
Note: Character and Fitness Clearance is required prior to the Principal or Superintendent internship if the candidate does not hold a valid Washington State educator certificate.
Residency Principal
Requirements: The Residency Administrator Certificate (First Issue) endorsed in the role of Principal is issued when the following requirements are met:
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A master's degree, earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
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Hold a Washington State teacher or educational staff associate certificate.
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Successful school-based instructional experience.
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Successful completion of the WWU Principal Program including coursework, the internship, a portfolio of evidence of meeting standards and a draft professional growth plan.
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Residency Certificate Application and fee payment. Contact Susan.Cahill@wwu.edu for information on the process.
Residency Reissuance: Application is made for Reissuance of the Residency Administrator Certificate after the principal has completed two years in that role in the state with one employer, and signed a contract for a third year. The timeline for earning a Professional Certificate begins with the reissued Residency Certificate, which is valid for five years.
Two Year Residency Renewal: Application may be made to WWU for a two year Residency Renewal upon admission to the WWU Professional Administrator Program. For further information contact Susan.Cahill@wwu.edu.
Five Year Residency Renewal: Application may be made through an Educational Service District for a five year Residency Renewal if the individual is not eligible for enrollment in a Professional Administrator Certificate program. Contact OSPI for further information.
Professional Administrator
The Professional Administrator Certificate endorsed in the role of Principal or Program Administrator is issued to holders of a Residency Administrator Certificate who meet the following requirements.
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Three contracted school years of employment in the role.
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Completion of coursework or in-service in issues of abuse.
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Successful completion of the WWU Professional Administrator Program including a professional growth plan, job-embedded evidence of meeting standards, and presentation to a panel of peers.
- Professional Certificate Application and fee payment. Contact Susan.Cahill@wwu.edu for information on the process
Professional Certificate Renewal. Professional Administrators renew the certificate by completing a professional growth plan each school year and submitting a Record of Continuing Education to an Educational Service District at the end of five years. See the OSPI Professional Certificate Renewal webpage for forms and FAQs.
Initial Superintendent
The Initial Administrator Certificate endorsed in the role of Superintendent is issued to Washington State administrators who meet the following requirements.
- A master's degree, earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
- 45 credits in education credits beyond the bachelor's degree.
- Hold a valid Washington State teacher, educational staff associate, program administrator, or principal certificate or a comparable out of state certificate.
- Successful completion of the WWU Initial Superintendent Program including coursework, the internship, a portfolio of evidence of meeting standards and a professional growth plan.
- Character and Fitness Clearance is required for certification if the candidate does not hold a valid Washington State educator certificate.
- Initial Certificate Application and fee payment. Contact Susan.Cahill@wwu.edu for information on the process.
Options for Holders of an Initial Superintendent Certificate
Certification
Office
516 High Street / Miller Hall 150
Bellingham, Washington 98225-9090
CertOffice@wwu.edu
Telephone: (360)
650-4930
Facsimile: (360) 650-6583
