Continuing Administrator Licensure

Program Details

Total credit hours: 18 semester hours
Program start date: Students may begin any term.
Classes are part-time
View the current program of study in the course catalog
Metro-Area Faculty Coordinator: Betty Flad
Regional Faculty Coordinator: Dawn Montgomery
Regional programs are also available in Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, South Coast Region, and the Portland Metro area (see below)

Lewis & Clark’s Educational Leadership programs are for impassioned and inspired leaders who want to change schools from the inside out. Our graduates go on to improve schools from every leadership position, from assistant principal to district superintendent.

You can call it opening doors, removing obstacles, lighting fires; all of it boils down to helping adults become their very best for kids.Tony Mann, MAT ‘94

Unlike traditional administrator preparation programs, our Continuing Administrator Licensure (CAL) Program offers innovative curriculum, small classes, and personal attention. It is designed to be responsive to the changing nature of our schools and focused on the work you’ll be doing every day as an educational leader. Understanding the importance of professional flexibility for practicing administrators, you may register for classes in the sequence of your choice, and for the classes that meet your needs.

In the Continuing Administrator Licensure Program, you will make lifelong connections with peers, through a network of mentors and supporters that will remain strong long after coursework is completed. Lewis & Clark faculty work in conjunction with distinguished administrators in the field who serve as adjunct faculty to provide a course of study that emphasizes reflective practice, collaborative leadership, and data-driven decision-making.

The Continuing Administrator License Programs are available:

• On campus at Lewis & Clark (see schedule of courses).
• At various sites in the Portland Metro region (see the Course Frequency Schedule below).
• Through the Central Oregon CAL Cohort Program with classes held in Bend, Redmond, or Sisters.
• Through the Eastern Oregon CAL cohort with classes held in Pendleton.
• Through the South Coast Region cohort with classes held in Coos Bay.

A highlight of the administrator licensing program is the practicum, which gives you in-depth working experiences of leadership. Through the school and district level practicum, you develop and practice the knowledge and skills necessary for successful school administration, including both leadership and management responsibilities.

Note for administrators with a current Initial Administrator License in Oregon: To renew your Initial Administrator License, you must complete six semester hours from the Continuing Administrator program offerings.

What to Expect

Every student in the program is a practicing administrator. We support administrators in developing “action leadership” and in understanding how that looks in supporting teachers, students, and parents.

Classes during the fall and spring semesters are typically held in local school districts in the evenings or on Saturdays on the Lewis & Clark campus. Summer classes are held on Lewis & Clark’s campus and vary in hours and length (they are usually one to two weeks long). Students have up to nine years to complete the Continuing Administrator License according to TSPC requirements. We suggest that students space out classes over the course of that period. Many students, for example, take six semester hours every three years. However, please note that you must apply for the Continuing Administrator License within three years of completion of their last course.

Students may begin any term and take classes in any sequence with the exception of EDAD 549, which is the final course in the CAL program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a good candidate for the Lewis & Clark Continuing Administrator License (CAL) program? Someone who is a practicing administrator or someone who has an IAL license and plans to move into an administrative position within the next three years.

What does the application process involve? Students who obtained their IAL from Lewis and Clark only need to fill out a CAL request form and submit it to the Educational Leadership office in Rogers Hall #306.  Those applying to Lewis and Clark for the first time will need to go online under the Graduate School Admissions tab “CAL Program.”  The application process includes: information about you and your experiences, current resume, three recommendation forms/letters from colleagues who know you and your work well, official transcripts of your previous college work, proof of your administrative license and years of experience, and two brief writing samples on educational and leadership concepts. Lewis & Clark observes “rolling admissions deadlines,” so students can make applications year-round. We encourage students to take several CAL courses under “special student status” before making an application to determine if the program is a good fit for you and your needs.

 How long does it take to complete the CAL? The current IAL renewal process covers nine years, divided into three 3-year renewal periods. Students must complete 6 semester hours each three years, for a total of 18 semester hours to earn a CAL from Lewis & Clark.  Courses may be taken in any sequence, except the final class (EDAD 549/558), which serves as a capstone experience for the CAL coursework.

What kind of work is involved in the classes? Students experience engaging and effective instruction geared to the adult learner with a balance of reading and exploring the professional literature and meaningful, action-oriented field-based assignments, lively class discussions in a seminar format and thought provoking reflections and written assignments.

What supports are in place for those who enter into the program? Students experience diverse classes with naturally occurring networks of colleagues and fellow educational leaders; instructors who take a genuine and personal interest in them as students; access to online instructional tools and resources; and a college library media program that offers remote access, special assistance from experienced librarians, and a range of outstanding subscription databases.

How much does the program cost? The cost per credit hour is set by the college and is currently $713 (500-level) and $613 (600-level) for the academic year 2010-2011.

Course Frequency Schedule

The following chart represents a two-year cycle of offerings in the Portland Metro area.

Course Frequency Schedule (Spring 2012 - Summer 2014)

Applying to the Program

To be a candidate for the Continuing Administrator Program for practicing administrators, you should:

• Hold a current Initial Administrator License.
• Serve as an administrator in an educational setting.
• Be current in educational trends and research.
• Be able to demonstrate a desire to collaborate with others and be willing to participate in meaningful dialog about your practice and educational principles.

Students may register for up to 6 semester hours of course work before applying for formal admission to the program. However, you must apply for the Continuing Administrator License within three years of completing your last course or before registering for the Mentorship and CAL Seminar courses.

Apply Now

You can find admissions requirement information and an online application at the Graduate Admissions Office website.

For Current Students

Register for Classes

CAL Program Planning Sheet     

ORELA Test information
     Administration Exam (Institution Code 405)

Licensing Instructions

Continuing Administrator Handbook