Preparing to be a Principal

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership: The Principal Preparation Program

The MAEL program is designed for certified teachers who want to become certified as a principal in the State of Illinois. The program has been crafted to meet the new certification requirement standards for principalship.

The program consists of part-time evening courses offered on a cohort-basis at the North Park University Main Campus and the Arlington Heights and Crystal Lake locations.  Courses are either 8 or 16 weeks meeting once a week, usually beginning at 6:00 pm.  New cohorts start in August.  The program can generally can be completed part-time in 36 months.

Clinical Experience

MAEL candidates participate in multiple clinical experiences to provide the breadth of administrative experiences necessary for the principal in training.  In addition, candidates participate in a one-year internship including four weeks full-time residency (typically two weeks before and two weeks after the school year).

Teaching Experience

Candidates must have four years of full-time teaching experience at completion of the program. In addition, candidates must hold a standard teaching certificate to be certified
as principal.

Admissions Process for the MAEL

MAEL candidates enjoy a highly personal admissions process in the School of Education. The admissions committee carefully evaluates each individual applicant for their potential for success as an educator.