Principal
Lead School Culture
Shape Student Outcomes
Drive Educational Vision
Undergraduate
Graduate
Post-Graduate
No degrees available
This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.
Popular Titles
Core Areas of Impact
Is this career right for you?
What is the role of a school principal?
A school principal oversees daily school operations, manages staff, implements policies, supports instruction, and ensures a safe and effective learning environment.
What does a typical day look like?
Meeting with teachers and staff, supervising school operations, addressing student or parent concerns, reviewing academic performance data, and implementing district policies.
Where do school principals work?
Principals work in public, private, charter, and religious elementary, middle, and high schools.
What are the common job titles and career paths?
Common roles include Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, and Principal. Career paths often begin with classroom teaching and may lead to district administration or superintendent positions.
Who is this career a good fit for?
This career suits experienced educators with leadership ability, strong communication skills, decision-making confidence, and a commitment to student development.
What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include shaping school culture, leading educational improvement, influencing long-term student outcomes, and serving as a respected community leader.
What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth may include district-level leadership roles such as superintendent, curriculum director, or executive educational administration.
What is the educational pathway to become a school principal?
Most school principals begin their careers as licensed teachers and gain several years of classroom experience.
The typical pathway includes earning a bachelor’s degree, obtaining teacher certification, and then completing a master’s degree in education or educational leadership. Many states require a graduate degree and state-approved administrative certification to serve as a principal.
Sara Schenirer’s BA in Psychology with Special Education courses provides strong preparation for teaching roles, particularly in special education settings. Students can then pursue the Master’s in Education and Special Education, which builds advanced instructional expertise and leadership capacity that supports progression into school administration roles.
After completing graduate education and meeting state certification requirements, educators may move into assistant principal roles before advancing to principal positions.
