Certificate
Part-Time Only
Fall
Online
About the Principal Certificate at Loyola
The Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online program offered fully online through Loyola University Chicago will give you the credentials you need to become an effective, justice-oriented school principal.
The Loyola program, offered by the top 3 education graduate school in Chicago (2025), delivers focused, in-depth coursework that will empower you with the skills, perspectives, and knowledge to enhance the lives of students and teachers through exceptional school leadership.
Program Structure
The Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online can be pursued part time and courses are completed entirely online.
You can complete the principal certificate in just two years.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online?
Loyola's Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online program is led by former school leaders with a history of transformative leadership in their schools and districts.
- An accelerated track to becoming a school principal
- A faculty of experienced, supportive educators
- An education you can apply immediately
- A flexible, convenient online program
- An emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion
You can complete the ISBE Principal Endorsement certificate in just two years, providing you with a fast track to career advancement as a school principal.
You will learn from experienced school leaders who have been where you want to go. As coaches, they will support and guide you to success throughout the certificate program.
You can immediately apply the knowledge and skills you gain through your certificate coursework and training to your current educational position.
You can complete your studies without sacrificing your work, family, and other life commitments through this fully online principal certificate.
You will deepen your preparation for becoming a justice-focused school leader through a school that integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into the learning experience.
Educational Leadership Department
The Department of Educational Leadership equips administrators and supervisors to become transformative leaders in education. Our mission is to tackle pressing social justice and equity challenges within school systems. We take pride in our alumni, many of whom hold prominent positions within the Illinois Board of Education and across school districts throughout the state. Learn more about the department and discover stories featuring current students and graduates from the School of Education.
Department WebsiteMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Education faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online program.
FacultyPrincipal Endorsement Certificate: Career Connections
As a graduate of the Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Certificate, you will have a powerful credential in the eyes of the Illinois State Board of Education and the skills necessary to become an effective, justice-oriented school principal.
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogPrincipal Certificate Results and Skills
By earning your Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online at Loyola University Chicago, you will develop a wide range of skills, including the ability to:
- Apply a broadened perspective and the practical skills necessary to serve as an effective, justice-oriented school principal
- Contribute to the improvement of student performance and positive transformation of your school
- Create systems and policies that position teachers to maximize their potential and be the best educators they can be
- Foster a school environment in which all students feel welcomed, included, and safe
- Lead efforts to create the school safety systems and protocols necessary for a wide range of emergencies
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online totals $33825.00, or 33 credit hours at a cost of $1,025.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost and Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education. You may also visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsUpcoming Events
Visit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
3.0 Minimum GPA
Licensure
Statement of Purpose
Work Experience
Statement of Purpose Details
Your statement should be 1-3 pages and describe your academic and research interests, professional goals, and life experiences that have influenced your view of social justice. This should include any research and professional experiences as well as how you have demonstrated transformational leadership throughout your P-12 experience.
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Educational Leadership: Principal Endorsement Certificate Online program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY