11 February, 2026
Many people who pursue education careers have a true desire to help students achieve their goals and grow as people in a complex society. While teachers make a difference in students’ lives, many educators find themselves drawn to leadership roles that allow them to influence learning on a systemic level.
Becoming a school principal expands educators’ focuses from a single classroom to an entire school community. Being a school principal combines leadership with operational responsibility and reaching that title takes preparation. Understanding what education and professional development is required can help aspiring principals and early-career educators decide whether this path matches their interests.
What Does a School Principal Do?
Principals set expectations for teaching quality and student behavior, while also maintaining a safe learning environment. Much of a principal’s work involves collaboration with teachers and staff throughout the school year. Some of their responsibilities may include:
- Observing classroom instruction and providing feedback to teachers
- Directing teachers toward professional growth opportunities
- Overseeing schedules and budgets
- Responding to district policies
- Maintaining disciplinary policies
- Hiring new teachers and staff members
- Representing the school at various school and community events
How to Become a School Principal: 5 Steps
Becoming a school principal takes time, but the steps are fairly intuitive. You’ll first need to develop your instructional expertise, then begin preparing to become an impactful leader.
If you’ve already thought about becoming a principal, you likely are already familiar with foundational requirements, like a bachelor’s degree, teaching credentials and teaching experience. If you’ve completed these steps, you can start at step four. If you’re a career changer or haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree, you should read through all steps carefully in order to determine the right entry point for you.
Keep in mind that each state may have its own requirements, so be sure to check your state’s teaching board to determine the specifics of your path.
Step 1: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
As with nearly all professional careers, aspiring principals need to first complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While (in some states) you can technically major in anything, an education-related major will likely be the best choice in terms of career preparation. It will also save you some time when it comes to getting your teaching license.
Additional Requirements in Pennsylvania
Your bachelor’s degree must:
- Be a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved program
- Be in the subject area where you’re planning to teach (recommended)
- Include a supervised student teaching component
Educators who are certified in another state do not need to complete a new bachelor’s degree, but they will need to provide proof of experience and certification.
Aspiring vocational educators will need to provide proof of work experience in the area of certification.
A bachelor’s degree offers a lot of benefits, aside from just preparing you for a teaching license. Students will:
- Prepare for teaching and future graduate study with a strong academic foundation
- Gain experience and confidence through field experience in classroom and administrative settings if possible (for education majors)
- Learn to understand the needs of different age groups through paid or volunteer tutoring opportunities (either offered by your university or sought independently)
Step 2: Apply for Teaching Licensure
After earning a bachelor’s degree, candidates then have to obtain a teaching license in their state. License requirements usually include supervised teaching experience and state-approved assessments. These requirements ensure subject matter expertise and readiness to lead a classroom independently.
Once these requirements are met, you should be able to apply for licensure with your state’s board of education.
Teaching licensure is essential: Principals need to understand instructional practice from direct experience and have the credibility to support leadership decisions throughout their career. Most states will not approve principal certification without teaching licensure.
Additional Information for Pennsylvania Residents
The first form of teaching licensure is Level I certification (initial certification), which lasts for six years. After six years it must be converted to a Level II certification or it expires. While students need to apply through PDE, this is generally done by the institution granting their degree or certification.
There are a number of ways to earn PDE licensure, but all applicants must have:
- Student teaching experience (completed as part of the bachelor’s degree for new teachers)
- 3.0 bachelor’s degree GPA or higher
- Documented passing of two tests
- Basic skills assessment
- Subject matter test for your certification area
- Valid proof of citizenship or legal residency in the US (usually a green card)
The three ways that teachers can meet these requirements include:
- Complete certification requirements as part of a bachelor’s degree program
- Complete a teaching certification program after obtaining a bachelor’s degree
- Complete a master’s in education program that includes teacher certification
The application is completed online and is usually processed in nine weeks.
Visit PA.gov for more information.
Step 3: Gain Teaching and Leadership Experience
Before moving into administration, educators usually spend several years teaching. In doing so, they refine their instructional skills and develop a clear understanding of how schools function from day to day. Experience in the classroom also strengthens relationships with colleagues.
Many future principals begin taking on leadership responsibilities during this part of their career. These roles may involve mentoring new teachers or contributing to school improvement initiatives. Experiences like these help educators transition from classroom instruction to broad leadership roles.
Additional Information for Pennsylvania Residents
During this stage of the process, Pennsylvania teachers should apply for Level II certification (permanent certification). Level II certification is not required to obtain principal certification, but it is recommended as it may take longer to become a principal than the six year term of Level I certification.
To become Level II-certified, applicants must complete the following:
Three years of direct teaching experience
- 24 post-bachelor’s credits
- PDE-approved induction program in your school district
- Proof of satisfactory achievements in six semi-annual teaching evaluations
The application can be completed online. Once awarded, Level II certification must be renewed every five years. Renewal requires continuing education credits, which can be met with:
- 6 post-bachelor’s credits
- 6 Pennsylvania Department of Education approved in-service credits
- 180 continuing education hours
- A combination of the above, where each college credit equals 30 continuing education hours
Step 4: Earn a Master’s Degree in a Related Discipline
Graduate-level education is a key requirement for principal certification in most states. A master’s degree in educational leadership is a strong choice, with an emphasis on instructional leadership, school governance, ethics and organizational decision making.
In the educational leadership program at Lehigh College of Education, for example, aspiring principals benefit from academic preparation in a dedicated curriculum as well as a Principal Certification program. The Principal Certificate offers on-campus students additional coursework and a principal internship to prepare them for certification.
Additional Information for Pennsylvania Residents
Aspiring principals in PA do not necessarily need to obtain a master’s degree, but they must complete a graduate-level principal certification program that includes an internship/practicum experience with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Step 5: Earn Required Certifications and Licensure
The final step involves obtaining principal certification through the state education agency. Requirements may include exams and verification of leadership experience. Most states also require formal administrative internships.
Certification confirms that candidates meet professional standards for school leadership. Once licensed, principals may pursue opportunities across K-12 settings depending on state guidelines.
Additional Information for Pennsylvania Residents
Once the graduate-level principal certification program has been completed (either part of or independently of a master’s degree), you are eligible to apply for principal licensure! This is done in conjunction with the institution where you earned your master’s.
Applicants will need to demonstrate the following to obtain Administrative Level I Certification (provisional certification):
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree
- Good moral character (as defined by the state)
- Verifiable record of three or more years of professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process (usually teaching)
- Completion of a graduate-level principal certification program that meets the requirements
- Evidence of satisfactory achievement on the required test
This is the traditional path for principal certification, but professionals with other experience may have other requirements.
Following Level I Certification, principals have five years to convert to a Level II Certification. The requirements include:
- Completion of three years of satisfactory service on the Level I Certification
- Completion of the PDE-approved PA Inspired Leadership Induction Program
Why Become a School Principal?
Becoming a school principal offers tremendous benefits and expanded impact:
- Ability to influence instructional policy and school culture
- Better able to support students and teachers
- More opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving
- Long-term growth opportunities in leadership
- Improved earning potential
Top Skills You’ll Gain as a Principal
Your day-to-day work as a principal requires steady judgement in situations that change quickly. Principals may address staffing concerns during the same day they meet with families or respond to student needs. Effective principals are able to balance their immediate responsibilities with long-term planning.
Some of the skills they need to support effective school leadership and sustained improvement include:
- Instructional leadership
- Staff development
- Ethical decision-making
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic planning
- Data analysis
- Communication
- Budgement management
- Resource allocation
These skills are strengthened through coursework and professional experience, and they continue to develop through daily leadership practice.
What Are the Challenges and Rewards of Being a Principal?
Principals in a K-12 setting are responsible for guiding the overall direction of a school, as well as ensuring that daily operations support a positive and effective student learning environment. This comes with a great deal of benefits, but substantial responsibility as well.
| Rewards | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Meaningful work | Long hours |
| Improvement in school culture | Balancing administrative duties with instructional leadership |
| Ability to build strong relationships | Emotional demands |
| Strong career outlook, job stability and salary potential | High pressure environment |
| Variety in daily tasks | Will need to deal with conflict |
What Is the Career Outlook for Principals?
While employment of K-12 principals is expected to see a slight decline over the next 10 years, employment projects are still very stable. With declining birth rates, there are few students and therefore fewer schools opening. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 21,000 job openings for K-12 principles each year through 2034.
To have the best chance at landing a principalship, educators should consider where the highest demand is. Cities tend to have more schools and therefore more openings, but these positions are highly competitive. In rural areas, many teachers and principals have worked in their roles for decades, which means that retirement may provide more opportunities. These areas may struggle with smaller talent pools, providing highly qualified candidates with a strong chance of being hired.
How Much Do School Principals Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for K-12 principals is $104,070. This is much higher than the national averages for other teaching and instruction roles.
Many factors can influence salary however, including location, experience level and school level. Typically, high school principal salary levels are often higher than those in elementary settings. This reflects broader administrative responsibility and larger student populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? We have more answers.
Most states require several years of teaching experience before principal certification. The exact requirement depends on state policy.
In Pennsylvania, you’ll need at least three years of independent teaching experience.
A principal leads a single school within a district. A superintendent oversees multiple schools and district-wide strategies.
Principals report to the superintendent, and the superintendent typically reports to a school board.
Many principals are certified to work across K–12 settings. Some states require additional endorsements for specific levels.
Experience at one level can support movement to another.
Become an Education Leader With a Master’s From Lehigh
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership (K-12) degree from the Lehigh College of Education gives education professionals the training they need to work in leadership roles within a wide variety of educational settings. This program is available in online and hybrid formats, offering students the flexibility to learn at our Bethlehem, PA campus during the summer or from their homes across the U.S.
Students work through a comprehensive core curriculum and can choose to pursue an optional 10 credit Principalship Certification and work toward their Pennsylvania principal certification.
Learn how the College of Education is supporting its students
Our faculty provide comprehensive instruction on key skill areas for education leaders, including organizational leadership, research, data-based decision-making and diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Lehigh College of Education is home to top-ranked academic programs. We prepare students for leadership roles in evidence-based, cross-disciplinary inquiry that shapes educational practices on the national and international level.
Learn more about the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (K-12) by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.
To learn more about the online programs at Lehigh University College of Education and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist directly by calling (610) 215-2867 or emailing us at edprograms@lehigh.edu.