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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Residency
Credentials
Work Experience
Degree
Scholarship
Other
General
How long does the program take to complete?
The Principal Leadership Institute is a 14-month program. The session begins each summer in June, and concludes in July of the following year.
How much does the program cost?
See Scholarship, below.
When and where are the classes?
All classes are held in Tolman Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Summer Session #1 Monday thru Thursday 9am-4:30pm Late June to early August (7 weeks) Fall Semester
(Aug-Dec)Monday evenings 6-9pm
Wednesday evenings 6-9pm
Approximately every other Saturday 9:30am-4:30pmSpring Semester
(Jan-May)Wednesday evenings 6-9pm
Approximately every other Saturday 9:30am-4:30pmSummer Session #2 Monday thru Thursday 2:30-6:30pm Late June (1 week) and mid-July (3 weeks) Can I work while I'm in the program?
While the PLI complements the career goals of working professionals, a significant commitment of time is necessary. The program schedule is intensive, yet those completing the PLI indicate that the rigorous content and multiple experiences assure them of solid preparation for the role of administrator.
Residency
Do I have to live in the Bay Area?
Yes. Residency within commute distance of the University of California, Berkeley campus during the 14-month intensive program is mandatory. Students must attend classes in both summer sessions and during the academic year.
Do I have to work for a local school?
Yes. Applicants should be employed in a school district in the Bay Area and have had a minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience. Under some circumstances, applicants who are not currently employed in a school district will be considered provided he/she is resident, holds a valid teaching credential, and can demonstrate a sustained commitment to urban public schools. Additionally, the applicant must have a sustained relationship with a local school district while attending the PLI in order to complete the practicum portion of the program.
Can I move from another state to attend the PLI?
Moving from out of state to attend the PLI is possible, but requires the following actions:
1) Obtaining a Valid California credential (see Credentials, below).
2) Paying the non-resident portion of the UC fees or obtaining an exemption from non-resident tuition based on employment at a California public school (see Scholarship, below).
3) Agreeing to work in an administrative capacity for four years after graduation.
Credentials
What kinds of credentials are valid for the PLI program?
For more information on valid teaching credentials and other requirements for the ASC credential, please see: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/admin-svcs.html
Is my out of state credential valid for the program?
No. You must be eligible for a California Teaching Credential to be admitted to the program. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has made recent changes that make it easier to obtain a California credential for out-of-state teachers, please see their web-site for details at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/. If you have carefully read the available material and still have specific questions, you can email the CCTC at credentials@ctc.ca.us.
Is my emergency permit valid for the program?
An emergency permit does not qualify as a valid teaching credential for admission to the PLI. If a portion of your teaching experience took place under an emergency credential, but you have since received a clear credential, you do qualify as long as the three-years of full-time teaching requirement is met.
Work Experience
What if I have less than three years full-time experience?
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires three years of full-time teaching experience to be eligible for the Administrative Services Credential, therefore we strongly prefer applicants who will have met or exceeded those requirements by the beginning of PLI term.
What if I have only taught part time?
The Administrative Services Credential requires three years of full-time teaching experience. If you have not met that requirement at any point in your teaching career, you are not eligible for the program.
Degree
What if I only want to earn the credential and not the masters, or vice versa?
The program offers a masters degree and recommendation for preliminary administrative services credential as a package, and cannot separate the two.
What if I already have a Master's in Education?
The Master's degree offered by the PLI has an emphasis on educational leadership. Unless your existing Master's degree has the same emphasis, you may receive an exemption to earn second masters in education from the Graduate Division.
What if I dont want to be a Principal?
The PLI scholarship requires a four-year commitment to work in an educational leadership position, but many positions qualify as such. In each year of your four-year commitment the PLI verifies your leadership role.
Scholarship
What exactly does the scholarship pay for?
The Behring scholarship and additional PLI Grant awards go towards your University registration and fees. We currently plan to award a scholarship of $5000 and a stipend of $1000 from the USDOE, plus additional funds from other PLI grants if and when they become available. We are continually searching for other sources of funding, however under the current budget crisis we cannot confirm the above amounts until the start of the program. Students should be prepared to pay all fees above these awards. Additionally, books, readers, and transportation costs are the responsibility of the student. Most of our applicants qualify for Federal Financial Aid. Please see http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/financial/ for more information.
I don't want to commit to four years in California; can I pay my own way? How much would it cost?
Please see http://registrar.berkeley.edu/feesched.html for current fees.What are my option as a non-resident?
A non-resident is subject to significantly higher fees to attend UC Berkeley, these fees can be avoided by either living in California for one year prior to attending the PLI, or applying for an exemption from non-resident tuition based on employment at a California public school (Exemption #8). For more information go to http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Residency/legalinfo.html#exempt.
Other
What role does my district play?
Although we encourage applicants from all school districts, the PLI has established partnerships with the following districts; Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and West Contra Costa County. A recommendation and support from your district is important for both admission to the program as well as a successful practicum experience.
What other programs like yours exist?
UCLA has also established a Principal Leadership Institute. In addition several CSU (Cal State University) campuses offer both Tier I and Tier II Administrative Services Credential programs. A complete list of ASC programs is available from the CCTC at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/admin-svcs.html.
