School principals have the pleasure of working with teachers who are shaping the minds of the next generation. The career path to becoming a principal can look different from person to person, but there are commonalities with typical education and career stepping stones. At Pacific Oaks College, there is an Early Childhood Education (ECE) program designed for various stages of the education process, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Our Early Childhood Education program is offered online and on campus in Pasadena, California. It prepares students to work in educational career, including a career as a principal, by building a strong foundation in evidence-based learning, child development, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Pacific Oaks ensures early childhood education degree students collaborate with educational administrators and leaders on various projects such as program evaluation and on business process and implementing policies.
Although an Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education is not required to become a school principal, it is the highest ECE degree professionals can achieve. Our students learn to evaluate outcome-based learning experiences, analyze educational policies for opportunities for improvement, and use data to help mold future generations of educators into successful individuals.
What Does a School Principal Do?
School principals work in schools as policymakers and administrators to promote student learning and support teachers’ needs. Overseeing all school operations, the principal manages day-to-day functions such as student behavioral assessment and school programs such as extracurricular activities and counseling.
As an administrator, the principal’s responsibilities include managing the school budget, ordering supplies for classrooms, managing the curriculum, and hiring and training educators. Depending on the size of the school, responsibilities for a principal vary, especially if they have an assistant principal to help.
The Ed.D. in ECE program at Pacific Oaks addresses the growing need for leadership and innovation in the field of education. Pacific Oaks provides vital resources for current and future educators, as well as aspiring principals, to make an impact in the field. Our ECE doctoral degree uses evidence-based approaches to problem-solving to help improve educational outcomes.
What Is the Career Outlook for Principals?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for a school principal is projected to remain steady from 2023 to 2033, with a slight decline in the number of job openings of 1%.
How Much Do School Principals Make?
The average salary for school principals at all grade levels is $103,460 a year in the U.S., according to the BLS. The salary range is highly variable depending on the state and the tenure in the position. Learn more about the salary breakdown by state for early childhood education administrators.
How To Become a Principal
Education
To start your journey to becoming an elementary school principal, education in a related field is necessary. For a bachelor’s degree, the B.A. in Early Childhood Education or the B.A. in Early Childhood Education: Elementary Education specialization are great programs to get you started. Typically, a master’s degree in education is also necessary for employment in a school. The Pacific Oaks M.A. in Early Childhood Education: Organizational Leadership and Management Specialization helps to prepare graduates for leadership roles within early childhood education.
While obtaining a doctorate might not be necessary to gain employment as a school principal, the online Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education is specifically designed to prepare graduates to become administrators and leaders in a variety of early childhood education-related settings, including schools. The Ed.D. curriculum teaches invaluable skills for someone looking to become a principal. These include:
- Designing outcome-based learning experiences for children
- Analyzing education policy to identify concerns and potential solutions
- Forward-thinking skills to advance the education field
- Training future educators in social justice, inclusivity, and diversity
Experience
The post-master’s degree career path for most school principals is to gain experience as an educator first before moving into an administrative role such as principal. For elementary school teachers who are looking to become a principal, the Pacific Oaks Doctor of Early Childhood Education can provide you with the knowledge to secure upward mobility in your career.
Certification
For those looking to work as a principal in a public school, licensing requirements exist and vary by state. Private schools do not require state-issued licensing. View the specific school leadership requirements by state.
Pursue Your Education Degree at Pacific Oaks College
Becoming a school is a goal you can start working toward as an undergraduate. Pacific Oaks offers many options if you’re interested in starting your education in early childhood education. With various ECE program specializations to hone your skills as an educator and leader, set your sights on the school principal career path.
Start with a bachelor’s in ECE and build up your knowledge and expertise with our online Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education to grow with data-driven instruction blended with anti-bias and inclusivity pillars in academic innovation. Our graduates can make a lasting impact by becoming advocates for change that is impactful to young minds.
