Become a Principal in Pennsylvania
Ivan A. Shibley, D.Ed.
Clinical Practicum Coordinator at The University of Scranton
George E. Jones
Assistant Director of Online Education Programs at The University of Scranton
Why Become a Pennsylvania Principal?
A career as a Pennsylvania school principal can be a fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding experience. Principals can have tremendous influence on the learning environment and can therefore have a profound impact on teachers and students. They have an opportunity to build strong communities by making a difference in the lives of the students in their school. They also have a passion for working with children and a vision for building a strong school that supports and encourages learning.
The national job market for education leadership positions remains strong and is projected to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities should be excellent due to an anticipated large number of retirement-related vacancies and an increase in school enrollments at the K-12 level. Employment for education administrators at the elementary and secondary school levels is expected to grow eight percent in the decade spanning 2008 to 2018.
Requirements to Become a Pennsylvania Principal
Teachers who are interested in becoming a principal in Pennsylvania must meet state certification requirements in K-12 education administration. Successful candidates must meet several prerequisites in order to be considered, including:
- a bachelor’s degree in education or relevant field of study
- current Pennsylvania teacher certification
- at least five years of professional experience
Candidates seeking the K-12 education administration certification must also achieve a passing score on either the Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision or the School Leaders Licensure Assessment Praxis test.
A Master of Science Degree in Educational Administration Helps Candidates Be Competitive
The duties and responsibilities of a principal have expanded over the past decade and candidates are now required to be well-versed in a wide variety of skills. In addition to traditional educational disciplines such as curriculum and classroom management, today’s educational administrator must also be adept in communication, policy development and implementation, data analysis, and personnel management. Administrators must also keep current on state and national legislation that affects education.
In a competitive job market, candidates who want to give themselves an advantage should consider pursuing a master’s degree in educational administration. This degree gives the candidate the knowledge and skills to think strategically, lead and motivate teachers to help students reach higher levels of achievement, and understand and apply current research in learning and instructional theory.
With a master’s degree in educational administration, the candidate will understand how to use data to make informed decisions and interpret learning results, how to create a culture for learning within the school, and how to align standards-based theory and design with student achievement. The degree program provides the candidate with a powerful set of skills and applied knowledge, which gives the candidate a significant advantage over others who do not have a master’s degree in educational administration.
Salary Expectations
Principals in Pennsylvania can expect to earn an annual salary in the range of approximately $70,000 to $110,000 with a median annual salary of $91,000. Additional compensation in the form of benefits, such as retirement, healthcare insurance, and paid time off, can be worth as much as $30,000 to $40,000 per year, bringing the total annual compensation to $100,000 to $150,000.
Conclusion
With a growing job market, positive employment outlook, and generous compensation package, it has never been a better time to consider pursing a position as a Pennsylvania principal. Candidates would be wise to give themselves a competitive advantage by meeting more than the minimum education and certification requirements for the position. Earning a master’s degree in educational administration demonstrates a candidate’s dedication to their career and gives them the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enjoy a successful career as a principal.
