Principal License
This page covers the prerequisites and admissions requirements for Lewis & Clark’s Principal License Program. All Lewis & Clark graduate applicants are also required to fulfill the graduate school’s general admissions requirements for all programs. Please carefully review all admissions requirements as only complete applications will be considered for admission.
Admissions Requirements For All Graduate Programs Begin Your Online Application
Now accepting applications for 2025.
Principal License Prerequisites
The Principal License Program is looking for teacher and/or program leaders who are ready to take a stand for improving learning for all students. These are current educators who know they can directly impact more students and their families through working in leadership roles outside the classroom.
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States (the college or university must be regionally accredited at the time of enrollment and when the degree was conferred) or the foreign equivalent.
- Applicants must document licensure as a teacher or personnel service specialist in any state.
- Applicants must document three years of successful teaching and/or personnel service experience in the public schools or regionally accredited private schools.
* You may still apply if you do not meet prerequisites 2, or 3. You will be able to request a waiver through the online application which will be reviewed by faculty. Faculty may ask for additional documentation.
Principal License Application Requirements
The following items are required for the Principal License program:
Admission to the graduate school requires the completion of all standard admissions requirements in addition to the program-specific admission requirements outlined below.
Applicants are required to write an essay at least 500 words in length. The essay is submitted electronically as part of the online application.
Write an essay addressing the following topics:
- Describe why you would like to pursue being a principal. Please describe your current or planned leadership work and social justice work. Describe how it focuses or will focus on transforming schools through equitable practice.
Applicants must document three years of successful licensed teaching and/or personnel service experience in public schools or regionally accredited private schools.
Principal License Professional Educational Experience Form (pdf.)
We require letters of recommendation from three individuals who know you and are qualified to evaluate your academic competence, character and/or experience in professional or leadership roles.
NOTE: At least one letter of recommendation must be from a principal or supervisor who has observed your licensed teaching or personnel work within the last five years. If you are unable to obtain such a letter for some reason, please contact the Admissions Office to discuss your options.
All applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), or the equivalent in their graduate degree.
Applicants who have an GPA of less than a 3.0 on their graduate, degree-posted transcript are required to provide a statement that explains their previous academic record
Applicants must hold a valid regular teaching or personnel service specialist license. Please submit a copy of your current license.
Additional Information
Graduate School Admissions is located in South Chapel Annex on the Graduate Campus.
MSC: 87
email gseadmit@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-6200
Director of Admissions Rebecca Sexton-Lee
Graduate School Admissions
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219
Licensure Regulations
All graduate school programs leading to licensure or certification meet the State of Oregon’s requirements for licensure and certification. Additional information, including guidance on obtaining licensure or certification outside of Oregon, is available on our Career & Licensing web page.
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