Education Leadership – Transformative Leadership for Thriving Communities

Administrator License (PAL) &
Professional Administrator License (Pro-AL)

Principal Administrator License (PAL) and Professional Administrator License (Pro-AL) Program

PAL/Pro-AL Program

SOU’s School of Education offers programs for the Principal Administrator License (PAL) (previously called the Initial Administrator License (IAL) program) and the Professional Administrator License (Pro-AL) (previously called the Continuing Administrator License (CAL) program) issued by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). The PAL is a 40-credit, cohort-based program that begins each June and continues through six terms. The Pro-AL program is a 27-credit, open-ended program accepting students throughout the year.

Both programs are designed to accommodate working professionals through a combination of online coursework and in-person meetings that occur on evenings or weekends. The PAL and Pro-AL programs utilize modules based on the integration of theory and practice coursework accompanied by a 300-hour practicum for the PAL and 210 for the Pro-AL. SOU faculty and practicing school administrators facilitate the instructional modules.

Program prerequisites
PAL: Program prerequisites for the PAL include a master’s degree, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, teaching license or eligibility to hold a license, and three years of teaching experience.

Master of Science in Education, with a PAL Concentration: Students who do not have a master’s degree may enroll concurrently in the Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program. Requirements for the PAL are applied toward the completion of the MEd program, for a total of 45 credits.

Admission to the Pro-AL program is based on completion of the PAL or equivalent and appropriate leadership and administrative experience.

APPLY TO THE PAL PROGRAM

APPLY TO THE Pro-AL PROGRAM

PAL Program Description

The PAL is a cohort program, where students progress together through the six-term program, beginning in the summer and ending a year and a half later.

The PAL coursework (40 hours) revolves around themes identified by local practitioners, based on their working knowledge of educational leadership. The required practicum hours (300) enable students to move from theoretical foundations into actual practice at a variety of school levels.

For those needing a master’s degree, it can be completed through this program with an additional five credits.

Education Founded on Holistic Values

The vision of the Principal Administrator Licensure (PAL) program at SOU is to develop leaders who are prepared to lead educational transformation and cultivate equity, excellence, and wellbeing.

SOU’s PAL program offers meaningful opportunities for students to integrate the theories of educational change with the day-to-day practice of educational administration. Classes are experiential in nature and involve a combination of case studies, authentic projects – where students participate in school improvement at their location, and extensive use of panels and discussions with school leaders.

A distinct advantage of the SOU PAL program is the culture of collegiality, where fellow students develop supportive relationships with one another and with their instructors who can meet the needs and interests of the cohort.

Student Evaluation

Proficiencies for students are demonstrated through:

Integration of theory into practice in case studies, research projects, problem-based learning, and class activities.
The Integration Portfolio that links coursework, practica, and personally identified research agendas in a document of program outcomes.
Coursework, practica, and the Integration Portfolio that provide evidence of meeting state and National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards.

Requirements and Meeting Times

The PAL is a six term, 40-credit program including 6 credit hours of practicum (300 hours).

Coursework begins during summer session (approximately mid-June), meeting each weekday for approximately three weeks in a combination of in person and online formats. (Click on sample schedule)
Classes during the school year meet two or three weekends per term, Friday evening and all day Saturday, some in person and some virtually, in addition to asynchronous online coursework.

Questions? Email Anita Caster, Admissions Director at caster@sou.edu.

SEE PAL SAMPLE SCHEDULE

SEE PAL SAMPLE SCHEDULE (for students also pursuing MSED)

Degree Fit

Program Preparation

The PAL is for teachers who want to become Administrators, and Pro-AL program is for people who have their principal license and want to work at a district level.

Degree Roadmap

The PAL program is a cohort program which starts each June. During the program, students attend class during summer and then during the school year in a hybrid fashion. The Pro-AL program is a self-paced program that can be started any term.

Program Completion

The PAL program has a 300 hour practicum. Students are also required to submit a portfolio at the end of the program. The Pro-AL program has a 210 hour practicum requirement.