Develop your leadership skills while completing coursework required to become a licensed principal
About The Program
Format: Online
Northern’s graduate certificate in principal and building leadership is a flexible and affordable opportunity for educators who have already earned a master’s degree in education to complete the coursework required to become a licensed principal.
The graduate certificate is entirely online and will develop your leadership abilities. It's a state-approved program for principal preparation, complying with SDCL 24:53:08:02. Through Northern’s graduate certificate in principal and building leadership, candidates who have already earned a master’s degree in education gain the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge and skills - identified in National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) building-level standards - to serve as a principal at the P-12 level.
For principal certification, graduates of this program must pass the Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam.
Contact NSU Graduate Studies to find out if courses you already completed in your master’s program in education may apply to this graduate certificate.
The program's curriculum addresses critical knowledge and skill areas for beginning, building-level educational leaders. Courses are designed to provide a framework for understanding how to best prepare, support, and evaluate education leaders in their efforts to help every child grow. Specialized courses include models of leadership, organizational behavior, data-driven decision making, leading inclusive schools, and fostering school and community partnerships.
Potential careers include positions at the PK-12 level as a principal, assistant principal, athletic director or dean of students.
Students often complete their internships in the school in which they are currently employed.
To learn more about this online certificate contact NSU Graduate Studies via email or request more information!
Our Faculty
Doctor of Education, School Administration, University of South Dakota
Master of Education, Valley City State University, Teaching English Learners
Bachelor of Arts, South Dakota State University, English & Spanish
Dr. Anna Schwan joined Northern’s faculty in 2018 after 16 years in public K-12 education, where she was a high school teacher and secondary school administrator. She currently serves as interim dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education. Previously, she was department chair of teacher education and graduate faculty coordinator of the Educational Studies and Leadership and Administration programs.
Professional Work Experience
Middle school/high school principal
6-12 English as a second language teacher
7-12 language arts teacher
K-12 Spanish teacher
Research Interests
Student motivation
Teacher retention
Principal effectiveness
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