Credential in Administrative Services

Online Administrative Services Credential Overview

Are you a credential holder looking to step into an administrative or a leadership role? The online preliminary administrative services credential (ASC) program can take you from being a TK-12 educator to an educational leader. If you have a teaching permit, credential, or certificate and five years of successful, full-time experience teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical or rehabilitative services, or a combination of them in a public school, nonpublic school, or private school of equivalent status, this administrative services credential program will prepare you to guide and mentor other teachers with skill and confidence as a reputable TK-12 school leader.

This CalAPA aligned program is designed to integrate professional development and transform experienced teachers like you into the principals, superintendents, administrators, and educational leaders of tomorrow. 

Program Highlights

CalAPA-Aligned Program

Passage of the California Administrator Performance Assessment (CalAPA) is a mandatory requirement of the preliminary ASC program. The ASC program is CalAPA-aligned, so you’ll be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge and school leadership skills in fulfilling the California Administrators Performance Expectations (CAPE) upon graduation.

CTC-Approved Online Courses

The preliminary administrative credential program is fully approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and offered online with courses designed to train you in the vital aspects of TK-12 educational administration. The online administrative credential program gives you a quality education with the flexibility to complete your credential in the administrative service that only an online program can offer.

Focused and Versatile

The online administrative services credential is a 30-unit program that can be completed in just one year. You can also transfer up to 9 units from the ASC program into an EdD in Educational Leadership and Management degree. 

Admissions

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Faculty

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California Administrative Credential Information

Transform Your Experience into Expertise, and Your Expertise into Educational Leadership

The California administrative services credential includes three courses of research and field experience that serve to meet CalAPA requirements and round out your education with practical training that best prepares you for a new career as an educational administrator or school administrator. 

CalAPA alignment

Courses known as the Leadership Cycles in the program are CalAPA-aligned. Topics include: 

• Analyzing data to inform school improvement and promote equity
• Facilitating communities of practice
• Supporting teacher growth 

Each of the courses covers an aspect of professional practice in the field of administrative service that cannot simply be taught via classroom instruction, and will ask you to investigate, plan, act, and reflect as a way to help you grow into an exemplary TK-12 school administrator and leader.
 

Learning Outcomes

The administrative services credential prepares students to successfully lead curriculum development, build a community network of support for students and schools, and ensure excellent opportunities for all TK-12 students. This preliminary credential program will equip you with the ability to:

• Lead change in educational organizations in a diverse and global society.
• Understand the philosophical and social underpinnings of world educational systems, multiculturalism and futuristic educational trends and developments.
• Evaluate the political, societal, economic, legal and cultural influence on learning organizations.
• Demonstrate and articulate effective theories and principles of teaching and leading adult learners.
• Model personal and professional ethics, integrity, justice, and fairness. 
   

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

Who can apply for the administrative service credential in education program?

The program is open to aspiring education leaders with five years of teaching experience seeking to advance their careers and transition into leadership roles in education. Administrative academic programs equip you with the skills that align with the California professional standards and earn the teaching credential required for educational leader positions in schools and institutions. 

What kind of job can I expect to get with this degree?

As you would expect, graduates of the administrator credential program will often end up in administration roles at the elementary-, middle-, and high-school levels- and school leadership positions such as principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrator, vice principal, provost, or dean.

What scholarship and financial aid options are available to me?

Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students who wish to assume an administrative position. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.

When does the program start?

There are three enrollment periods for the administrator credential program, August, January, and May. See our academic calendar here. Make sure to review the program requirements for more information.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The preliminary administrative credential program is either a 30- or 33-credit program and takes a minimum of a year to complete.

What is the modality of this program?

The administrative services credential program is offered fully online. All classes and coursework of graduate studies can be completed virtually, allowing you to tailor your professional learning and education to your schedule.