The table below shows the basic requirements for entry into the Aspiring Principals Program. In some locations the requirements for entry into the Emerging Leaders Program are slightly different; please visit the Programs page in each location for more information.
Go to Eligibility Pre-Screening Form >>
| City/Site | Requirements for admission into the Aspiring Principal Programs Unless otherwise stated, requirements must be obtained by June 2012. Please note that charter school leaders have fewer requirements. Contact our local program sites with city-specific questions. |
Requirements to become a certified principal (many of which Residents will complete during their Residency year) Please note that administrative credentials are not usually required to lead charter schools. For more information, please click here to contact the local program sites. |
| Baltimore | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A master’s degree - A valid teaching certificate |
- Evidence of a qualifying score on the ISLLIC exam (offered multiple times during the Residency) - Verified offer of employment in administrative position in a school |
| Bay Area | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A California Teaching Credential or an out of state teaching credential Out-of-state credentials must be in the process of being transferred to California before submitting an application. Consult the CTC for more information by clicking here. |
- California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) - Completion of an administration program or administrator’s exam - Verified offer of employment in administrative position in a school |
| Charlotte | - A minimum of 2 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree |
- Successful completion of the Residency - A passing score on the Praxis Beginning Administrator’s Exam for the state of North Carolina (taken during the Residency) |
| Chicago | - A minimum of 2 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom at an accredited school, obtained by the deadline date to which candidate is applying. - A bachelor’s degree - Valid teaching or school service personnel certification or Type 75 administrative license. |
- A master’s degree (which can be obtained during the Residency, from National-Louis University, our local university partner)- Completion of graduate level coursework in management, supervision and instructional leadership through a recognized institution (earned through our program and NLU) - A minimum of 2 years of full-time teaching experience or school service personnel experience - Successful completion of the required certification examinations; the General Administrative endorsement (Type 75) test and the Illinois Basic Skills test. (Any accepted applicant who has not passed the IL Basic Skills test must do so upon acceptance to the program. The General Administrative test is taken in December during the Residency year.) |
| Memphis | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A master’s degree in any academic subject completed by May 2012 - Current Tennessee teaching certificate, or be eligible to this certificate during the Residency |
- Successful completion of the New Leaders Residency which ensures certification from the State of Tennessee - A passing score on the Praxis Beginning Administrator’s Exam for the state of Tennessee (taken during the Residency) - A master’s degree in any academic subject |
| Greater New Orleans | Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish (public and charter schools) both require: - A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom Jefferson Parish and district operated public schools in Orleans Parish also require: - A teaching certificate (Hold or be eligible to hold a valid Louisiana Type B or Level 2 teaching certificate or have a comparable level out-of-state teaching certificate) NOTE: Potential candidates for the New Leaders program in New Orleans who do not hold or are not eligible to hold a valid teaching certificate may still apply as long as they meet other requirements, but will only be eligible to become principals in Orleans Parish public charter schools (where certification is not required). |
- Hold or be eligible to hold a valid Louisiana Type B or Level 2 teaching certificate or have a comparable level out-of-state teaching certificate - Successful completion of the Residency - A passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment *For more information about the Louisiana Level 2 teaching certificate requirements, please see the Louisiana Department of Education by clicking here. |
| New York City | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A master’s degree - A teaching certificate |
- Completion of a NYS registered School Building Leader program (earned through successful completion of the Residency) - Field work in administration (earned through successful completion of the Residency) - A passing score on the School Building Leader Exam |
| Newark | - A minimum of 5 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A master’s degree - A teaching certificate |
- Hold or be eligible to hold a valid New Jersey State teaching certificate or have a comparable level out-of-state teaching certificate - Field work in administration (earned through successful completion of the Residency) - For individuals who have completed or are enrolled in a State -approved post-graduate program in educational leadership, and/or hold a Certificate of Eligibility for Principal or Standard Principal Certification – Field-based experiences including a 150-hour school administrator internship |
| Prince George’s County | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A master’s degree - A valid teaching certificate |
- Evidence of a qualifying score on the ISLLIC exam (offered multiple times during the Residency) - Verified offer of employment in administrative position in a school - A valid teaching certificate |
| Washington, D.C. | - A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom - A bachelor’s degree - A teaching certificate (preferred, but not required) |
- A master’s degree in Educational Administration, Supervision or Leadership from an accredited university/college (which can be obtained during the Residency from Trinity College, our local university partner, by successful completion of the New Leaders Foundations coursework and Residency)–OR–A master’s degree and completion of a state approved or NCATE approved program in Educational Administration, Supervision or Leadership from an accredited university/college–AND–At least 4 years of previous teaching experience (New Leaders Residency may be counted as the fourth year, in addition to the entry requirement of 3 years of school-based experience)–AND– Completion of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (to be completed during the Residency) |
