Are you a teacher or school counselor who’s been considering the jump to a leadership role? Is the principal’s office the next stop on your career path? Then keep reading, as we’ll lay out the valuable information you need to know about becoming a school principal.
A principal is the educational leader of a school, reporting to the superintendent (or their designee) who oversees its district. Daily responsibilities will vary depending upon the size of the school and its resources.
In general, the principal fulfills several key functions:
Soft skills go a long way to having a successful career as a principal. Here are 10 of the top skills needed to succeed in the role:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for principals across elementary, middle, and high school, was $104,070 as of May 2024. Despite slightly declining employment for the role, about 20,800 openings for elementary, middle, and high school principals are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
If you’re currently a teacher or school counselor, you’ve already fulfilled one of the most important principal requirements: being a licensed, experienced educator with at least a bachelor’s-level degree. But hiring managers won’t stop there. They’ll be looking for the experience, credentials, and attributes that show you’ll be an effective education leader.
Take these steps to help you meet both the necessary and preferred principal requirements:
Most schools require, at a minimum, several years of teaching or school counseling experience before becoming a school principal. Once in the position, you’ll have to understand the needs of your school community.
Taking steps to make sure your experience includes a range of educational settings can be beneficial. But as a busy teacher or school counselor who may have limited opportunities to vary your experience in your day-to-day work, it can be difficult to pinpoint ways you can diversify.
"Some of the best preparation for school leadership happens before you ever step into an admin role," noted Dr. Stephanie A. Herrera, assistant dean of UMass Global's School of Education. "I encourage aspiring administrators to share their leadership goals with their current school leaders, seek opportunities to shadow experienced administrators, and say 'yes' to meaningful leadership experiences, whether that's leading a student club, chairing a committee, supporting accreditation or school improvement, partnering with families, or taking on campus-wide initiatives. Each experience helps build the confidence, perspective, and practical transferable skills needed to become an effective school leader."
Other options include working with children in extracurricular activities or programs for kids with specific abilities, or getting involved with local youth clubs that operate outside your specific school district. Compiling diverse experiences like these will prepare you to take on school principal duties.
Teachers or school counselors who aspire to be principals can begin that journey by stepping into informal leadership roles both inside and out of the school.
Inside the school, you can build trust by stepping into informal leadership roles—such as facilitating professional learning communities (PLCs), mentoring new teachers, or chairing a committee dedicated to school improvement. The secret is to lead through collaboration rather than authority. By actively supporting your colleagues, sharing resources, and helping peers solve classroom challenges, you establish yourself as a big-picture thinker who lifts others up rather than someone trying to manage them.
Outside the school, you can build relationships by heading fundraising opportunities. You might advocate for teachers who need extra support in challenging classrooms. You could even organize opportunities for students to give back to their communities and build skills in the process.
You can demonstrate leadership skills and cultivate important relationships by serving your community - all while bolstering your resume for becoming a principal.
School principals must be ready to address a range of safety and security challenges.
They may need to address bullying, harassment, emergency procedures, and even violence. Parents, students, faculty, and staff all want to foster a school environment that protects their rights and safety.
Professional development certifications, conferences, and more can prepare you for this important aspect of the role.
Networking is an important part of getting most jobs. As early as you can, start researching what types of schools you might want to work in. Consider your own professional goals, how you want to impact students and where you’ll find the kind of career opportunities you want.
You may discover you’d prefer to become a principal in a smaller school that allows you to work one-on-one with students. Or perhaps you want to work in a larger, more complex environment. By expressing your interest and curiosity in these areas or attending conferences where you can meet peers, you’ll be better connected with those who can impact your future professional life.
Leaping straight from a classroom teacher or the counseling officer to principal is a big jump. In many school districts, it’s a rare opportunity. Depending on a school’s size and budget, the administrative hierarchy varies, but you don’t have to wait for the top job to start gaining leadership experience.
Actively pursuing intermediate positions such as assistant principal, vice principal, instructional coordinator, or department chair can bridge this gap in two critical ways:
The minimum education requirement for most elementary, middle, and high school principal roles in a master’s degree in education administration or leadership. Programs such as this elevate both the soft and hard skills needed for the role; from balancing budgets and overseeing operations, to learning how to build relationships and drive student achievement.
School leadership is highly regulated, and administrative licensing requirements vary significantly by state.
Most states require a master’s degree in education administration or leadership, three to five years of classroom teaching experience, and the completion of a state-approved prep program. Researching your local department of education's specific guidelines early prevents you from wasting time or money on unaligned coursework.
Once you know the rules, map out your timeline to complete your state's licensing exam, such as the California Administrator Performance Assessment (CalAPA).
California, for example, boasts a two-tiered credentialing process. The first credential is a Preliminary Administrative Services credential, which is good for five years. The second is a Clear Administrative Services Credential, which can qualify you to be a school administrator in the state indefinitely. Those coming from out of state to teach in California will need to ensure their qualifications are aligned with the state’s regulations.
For California residents, there’s the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration (MAELA) with Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC). Perfect for aspiring school leaders, you’ll build the skills to oversee daily school operations, manage budgets, lead curriculum and instruction, support teacher development, and more.
Clinical practice (fieldwork) is embedded throughout the program, so you can apply what you learn in real educational settings. Additionally, you can choose your pace, choosing to be either a full-time student and finish in one year, or go part-time and finish in two years. These options let you advance your career in a way that fits seamlessly into your life.
"My time at UMass Global was transformative, not just academically, but personally and professionally,” said MAELA graduate Kristie Kay. “The insights and skills I gained were not confined to theoretical scenarios; they were immediately applicable to my professional life. The support and care I received were instrumental in shaping my career and guiding me toward success.”
Becoming a principal will provide you with the opportunity to lead transformational changes that improve schools and school systems. And it gives you the chance to empower others and nurture their talents. You’ll make a difference in the lives of students, teachers, staff, and your community.
Even the most effective teacher or school counselor relies on strong school guidance. If you think becoming a school principal could suit your personality, career goals, and desire to positively impact students, consider the advice above to help you prepare for this educational leadership role.
Get the details on UMass Global’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential.
Have more questions? Reach out to an enrollment coach at (800) 746-0082 to design your educational path.
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