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Prepare for a leadership position in education with a Master of Education and principal licensure program. This degree stands apart from other Colorado principal licensure programs because of its strong reputation with school districts. The educational community's respect for CSU graduates is visible in the fact that almost every school in all of the partner school districts have at least one of the program's graduates in a leadership role. Through your coursework, you will:
The principal preparation program strives to meet the growing needs of public and private schools for highly qualified leaders, including those in high-demand areas such as science, technology, engineering, and math.
Learn from highly qualified Colorado State University faculty members who are experts in educational leadership.
Wanting to grow in your career should not mean sacrificing current opportunities. This program takes into consideration the demands on working professionals, allowing you the option to finish in one year. If you already hold a master's degree, you only need to complete 24 credit hours over the course of three semesters to earn your principal license. CSU offers another option that allows you to earn your licensure in four semesters by completing 33 credit hours, if you have not completed a master's prior to enrollment.
To prepare students to take on leadership positions throughout school districts, expert faculty provide academic preparation and hands-on experience. CSU's Master of Education and principal licensure curriculum covers topics such as:
Students also complete a 300-hour internship that allows you to apply theories and research to real-world scenarios. During this time, you will build a portfolio that illustrates your strength as a candidate to future employers. Faculty work with you to ensure your portfolio reflects Colorado's principal quality standards. This internship placement can occur at your school district of employment.
Designed for busy professionals, this program allows you to complete most coursework online*. Students meet in person to attend a three-week summer course in northern Colorado, and come back to class one more time for a weekend-long capstone course before graduating.
*Online coursework consists of recorded lectures as well as synchronous sessions in which you virtually interact with the instructor and fellow students real-time.
Find out how CSU’s research is making an impact by tuning into the Health and Human Science Matters Podcast, a collection of lively, engaging conversations with members of the college community.
You will be prepared to be a superintendent, principal, or another leadership position in education with skills to direct educational programs, become a facilitator of educational change, and implement new approaches to solving the problems confronting education. After completing the program, you can also be ready to meet the growing needs of schools for highly qualified teachers, including those in high-demand areas such as science, technology, engineering, and math.
You should earn this degree if you are preparing for a leadership position in education. Principals, superintendents, and teachers could all be interested in this licensure and graduate degree for career advancement.
As a student in CSU’s Master of Education and principal licensure program, you receive a degree from a regionally accredited, renowned research institution while taking courses at times and locations that fit your busy life. Additionally, you can expect:
Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.
Professor, School Leadership
A former teacher and school administrator, Dr. Donna Gines currently serves as a professor of education at Colorado State University. She teaches and advises in the principal preparation Master of Education program and supervises doctoral students in educational leadership. Prior to her full-time return to the School of Education faculty in 2015, Dr. Gines was the director of the teacher preparation program at Colorado State University for nine years.
During her administrative career in educator preparation, Dr. Gines served as a national Commissioner for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and as an invited panelist for the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. Her research agenda is focused on teacher and principal preparation for PK-12 schools.
In addition to her research, Dr. Gines is also the author of over twenty picture books and has also written children's television shows for PBS. Her debut novel, SKINNY, was named an ALA's Best Young Adult Fiction Award, BEA's Young Adult Buzz Book, and a Bankstreet College's Best Children's Book of the Year.
Associate Professor - School Leadership and Center for Educator Preparation
Dr. Wendy Barnes is an assistant professor in the School of Education's Center for Educator Preparation at Colorado State University. Prior to her position at CSU, Dr. Barnes served for 16 years as a teacher and educational leader in Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland PK-12 schools. Her scholarly interests focus on building communities of practice in PK-12 schools. She is currently engaged in research on structures of practice to support school leaders.
Dr. Barnes received a B.A. in Speech Communication from Colorado State University, an M.A. in Educational Media from University of Northern Colorado, and a Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University.
The program is designed in a cohort-based format to ensure these requirements are met.
This online/classroom hybrid program is designed to be completed while teaching full time. You will complete most coursework online during the year, and meet in person to attend a three-week summer course in northern Colorado. Students come back to class one more time for a weekend-long capstone course before graduating.
You will also complete a 300-hour internship and the opportunity to build a portfolio to illustrate the skills you gained to future employers. This internship placement can occur at your school district of employment.
Students seeking a master's degree in addition to the principal licensure complete the degree requirements in four semesters. Students seeking the license only can complete degree requirements in three semesters.
Before applying to the Education Sciences, Principal Licensure specialization, you must contact Wendy Barnes (Fothergill) well in advance of the application deadline to understand all requirements.
There are two enrollment options:
| Summer semester | May 15 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowMeeting the minimum requirements does not ensure admission to the Education Sciences-Principal Licensure specialization. Admission is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience, your personal statement, and fit with the program.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.
For any documents that cannot be uploaded, submit paper copies directly to the Office of Admissions at:
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Selection Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Application reviews will begin after February 1. Admit decisions will be made approximately 3-6 weeks after application completion.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.