Real change happens at the administrative level! With a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, you can transform the experiences of students, teachers, and staff.
Why Get Your Preliminary Administrative Services Credential?
The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) is your gateway to the leadership positions that shape policy, culture, and student success. Whether you are focused on instructional coaching, school site administration (Assistant Principals and Principals) or school district leadership (District Directors), this credential makes it possible.
Why Get Your Credential at CSUN?
If you are ready to take the next step into your educational leadership journey, our university’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program is your launchpad.
Prepares Experienced Educators
Our Preliminary Administrative Services Credential graduate program prepares experienced educators (those with four or more years of service) to take on equity-minded leadership roles outside of the classroom.
Designed for Working Educators
The program is offered in a hybrid modality, with approximately half of the sessions of core courses meeting on campus and the other half meeting online. Classes are held once-a-week in a cohort model designed to support full-time working educators.
Our Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program is offered within two program pathways:
- A 3-semester pathway (fall, spring, and summer) to complete the PASC program only.
- A 4-semester pathway (fall, spring, summer, and fall) to complete both, the PASC program in combination with the Educational Administration, M.A. program
Supports the CalAPA Our Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program is fully aligned with the California Administrative Performance Assessment (CalAPA)—and it shows: our candidates boast an impressive 98% pass rate!
Foundation of Knowledge and Research
At CSUN, we've built our programs on knowledge derived from sound theories and rigorous research. You'll be encouraged to take time for reflection, problem-solving and collaboration.
Emphasis on Practicum
You will apply your learning in your school setting, engaging in supervised clinical practice and administrative functions under the collaborative guidance of an assigned school/district administrator who will serve as your mentor and expert CSUN faculty who are experienced P-12 educational leaders as you journey through introductory courses to capstone experiences.
What You'll Learn
We prepare teachers and school counselors to become equity-centered school administrators and educational leaders by developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to lead through a social justice lens.
Coursework is aligned to the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (CPSELs) and covers the complete set of California Administrator Performance Expectations (CAPEs).
Along with in-depth practicum, your core classes will help you hone your administrative skills, including:
- Contemporary Administrative Leadership
- Legal Aspects of Educational Administration
- Business and Financial Aspects of Educational Administration
- Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction
- Management of Human Resources
- Organization and Administration of Elementary, Secondary and Special Education
- Decision Making Simulation
- Practicum in Educational Administration
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a credential student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program.
- Apply to both the university and the specific credential program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a credential program at CSUN.