Principal Leadership | Graduate Studies | Fort Lewis College

Join the next generation of strategic change leaders

Teacher education graduate students in a classroom.

The Principal Leadership program includes principal licensure coursework that features rural and culturally diverse school perspectives.

Our highly personalized online program provides high-quality experiential instruction to fit your life.

Cohorts begin every fall semester.

Principal Leadership program options

Program options

Principal Licensure Pathway & Certificate

By completing this one-year program (three courses each semester), you'll earn a certificate and satisfy principal licensure requirements.

18 credits 

Master of Arts in Education

Earn a Master of Arts in Education with a two-year online graduate program. Courses also satisfy principal licensure requirements.

30 credits 

Program overview

The Principal Leadership Program provides high-quality online and experiential licensure and a Master of Arts in Education Principal Leadership degree program for aspiring educational leaders for rural and culturally diverse schools. 

Rural administrators and FLC faculty developed a unique and personalized program to recruit, train and support future educational leaders in Colorado and New Mexico. This program prepares the next generation of strategic change leaders for rural school districts and communities.

Since the program's inception in 2020, we have extended our outreach with students from the Four Corners region.

  • Engage in high quality online instruction from experienced instructors in a cohort model.
  • Receive mentoring from experienced district educators and college experts.

  • Use an equity model for data-informed decision making for students and staff from culturally diverse backgrounds.
  • Identify and implement effective strategies for developing culturally and linguistically relevant curriculum and partnerships.

  • Use excellent examples of local strategic plans and effective school systems to reform your schools and districts.
  • Learn how your school could include social-emotional learning in curriculum and instruction.

Program requirements

Minimum eligibility for Graduate Studies

Bachelor’s degree 

You have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. 

Grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher 

You need a 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 GPA scale for undergraduate and prior graduate coursework.

*Note: This is true for coursework, even if it did not lead to a degree. We will calculate a cumulative GPA if you have multiple transcripts. 

GPA exceptions 

If your GPA is below 3.0, and you still wish to apply, you can write a letter to the Admission Committee that includes: 

  • Why you did not meet the 3.0 GPA requirements.
  • An action plan addressing those reasons with specific strategies to balance coursework (including class time and homework) and personal commitments. Your strategy may include:
    • Creating and adhering to a schedule
    • Using FLC’s writing support program and other campus resources
    • Setting regular meetings with faculty
    • Following specific study plans 
Requirements to apply to Principal Leadership program
  • Teacher license, issued for at least 3 years
    • Completion of an approved preparation program that led to licensure in the state it was approved
    • Demonstration of content-area knowledge (by degree or exam(s), depending on content area)
    • Student teaching/practicum/internship
    • Three or more years of full-time experience under a state-issued teacher or special services license in a K-12 (elementary or secondary) school

Note: Full-time or part-time school volunteers are eligible for consideration in particular situations.

Technology requirements

Teacher Education graduate programs require specific computer technology. Graduate students can use a personal device that meets these requirements or have full access to the campus computer labs. 

View the full list of requirements on the Admitted Student Checklist.

Career Possibilities