The Building Level Administrator Licensure program prepares you for the position of school principal. The 21-credit licensure program, offered in an online format, consists of six graduate core educational leadership courses offered over three consecutive semesters, with a one-credit internship each semester.
What makes for a successful leader in education?
Purdue specific outcomes and program highlights:
Distinguish yourself in the education industry with a superior credential from an institution with worldwide recognition and impact.
Learn tools & highly relevant techniques for leading K-12 schools.
Advance and network with an experienced and motivated peer group for mutual support, team exercises, and enhanced learning.
Learn educational leadership practices and how to be applicable in working with individuals.
Why choose Purdue’s Building Level Administrator Licensure Program?
Designed for working professionals to provide the needed flexibility without interfering with your career.
The Building Level Administrator Licensure program is distinctly different in multiple ways including the delivery mode, target clientele, and the focus of learning activities.
Opportunity to engage with faculty with expertise in the area of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.
Online students enjoy the same rigorous academic programs as on-campus students, but with a much more flexible class schedule. Assignments, discussions, and other coursework are posted each week in the virtual classroom.
The Building Level Licensure program consists of 21 credits. This can be completed in just one year. Most courses are eight weeks long and have a combination of synchronous classes taken virtually and online activities.
This program has rolling admissions. You may start the program any fall, spring or summer.
This program leads to an Indiana Administration Initial Practitioner license. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have any questions about licensure.
Please visit the Graduate Licensure Program page for information about license eligibility requirements.
A degree in educational leadership can lead to many careers. Professionals can find jobs working predominantly with students or pursue roles where they interact primarily with staff members and teachers. Educational leaders can find employment at elementary schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, in addition to some non-school settings.
School leadership is difficult. With budget cuts, evaluations based on standardized assessments, and the developing social structure of today’s education. School leaders need to be creative and empathetic to find solutions to complex and sensitive issues in our schools.
School leaders can foster relationships with students, staff and parents that will last a lifetime. They help create a more engaging learning environment, and they get to work in one of the best professions. That’s why educators become school leaders.
Job Titles
Principal
Assistant Principal
Building Administrator
Courses
Students spend an average of 15 hours a week on homework. The program is 100% online with three synchronous sessions per semester.
The courses are offered in a cohort sequence permitting candidates to finish the license in three semesters (one year) if they take seven credits offered each semester. Courses are offered in eight-week modules (two courses each semester) with a one credit internship related to the two courses taken over the full 16-week semester.
Fall Semester
EDST 51400 – Economics of Education (3 credits)
EDST 51600 – School Community Relations (3 credits)
EDST 69400 – Internship – Building Level (1 credit)
Spring Semester
EDST 60200 – School Principalship (3 credits)
EDST 60700 – Administration of Educational Systems (3 credits)
EDST 69400 – Internship – Building Level (1 credit)
Summer Semester
EDST 60900 – Legal Aspects of American Education (3 credits)
EDST 61000 – Supervision of Instruction and Instructional Personnel (3 credits)
EDST 69400 – Internship – Building Level (1 credit)
If you do not have a MS, click here to learn more about our MS program.
Cost
The Building Level Administrator Licensure program is affordable and competitive in cost.
In-State
Out-of-State
Total Cost Per Credit
$450
$563
Credit Hours
21
21
Total Costs
$9,450
$11,823
*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program costs. *Textbooks and course materials are not included *Note: Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions will not be applied to this program *International fee may apply
Admissions
The program offers rolling admissions admitting new students in fall, spring, and summer.
Application Deadlines:
Semester
Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review Deadline
Completed Application Deadline
Fall
July 15
August 1
Spring
December 1
December 15
Summer
April 1
April 15
Admissions Requirements
Out of state students wanting to complete the program should contact Purdue’s Office of Teacher Education and Licensure at licensure@purdue.edu or (765)494-2345 to determine if you are eligible for this program, which is approved for licensure in the state of Indiana.
Additional criteria, beyond taking coursework is required for Indiana licensure. A Transcript Evaluation Credential Review (TECR) by Purdue’s Office of Teacher Education and Licensure is required for admission and outlines the additional requirements.
Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) Steps:
Carefully read the Application Roadmap to learn more about how to submit your TECR request.
In the Area of Interest, Under the Administrative License Programs (Online or Hybrid) select the following: Building Level Administrator – (Principal)
There is a $35.00 TECR fee for this program, and processing takes about two weeks for your TECR letter to be uploaded with your graduate application and emailed to you.
If you do not have a license in the state of Indiana, please contact the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with the TECR and graduate application.
Select the following options for the Buidling Level Licensure program:
Campus and Program Tab:
Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
First Choice Program Details Tab:
Please select an Area of Interest: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Please select a degree objective: Teacher License
Primary Course Delivery: Distance (Online)
Some sections of the application that are NOT required include the following:
Test Scores
Recommendations
In the Additional Information section, faculty selections may be made, but are not required. Faculty advisors are assigned by the program area.
Upload required materials, including:
Resume
Personal History Statement
Academic Statement of Purpose
Follow the instructions in the Application Roadmap for submitting your official transcripts.
Once you are ready to submit your graduate application, please complete all sections and submit the application.
You should not be asked to enter payment information for the application fee if you have selected Teacher License as your degree objective (for those who already possess a completed master’s degree).
The application must be fully submitted in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.
Check the status of your submitted application by logging into the application portal.
Once your application is complete, you will receive an email from edgrad@purdue.edu indicating that your application is complete and will be submitted for review.
This program is subject to our Licensure Disclosure
The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to publicly disclose to prospective and currently enrolled students whether certain programs meet the education requirements for licensure or certification in the state or territory in which they reside. “Programs Leading to Professional Licensure” is defined as programs represented to prepare students for an occupation for which, at completion of the program, a local, state or federal license, or nongovernmental certification is required (i) as a precondition for employment, (ii) to perform certain functions, or (iii) to meet additional conditions that are generally needed to secure employment.
The Purdue University Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the State of Indiana. However, not all undergraduate and graduate programs lead to an educator licensure in the State of Indiana. If your Teacher Education program includes field experience(s) and a student teaching or internship component, it may lead to an educator license in the State of Indiana, if you meet the licensure requirements. Contact your academic/faculty advisor and/or the Office of Teacher and Licensure at licensure@purdue.edu to verify your program enrollment and whether or not it leads to a license in the State of Indiana.
The State of Indiana has reciprocity agreements with other states, the District of Columbia, and territories. For licensing information contact information for individual state departments of education or visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) or email a Purdue University licensing officer/advisor at licensure@purdue.edu.
Visit this page to view the Licensure Program Agreement
Program Faculty
Our faculty are nationally recognized and have the ability to work personally with students to individualize their plan of study to meet personal career interests and goals. These faculty will oversee the intensive coursework required.
Having obtained my master’s from Purdue in 2005, I was a little nervous about how this hybrid program would work. The professors were so understanding and helpful. The classes would exactly what I needed to be prepared for this new role and goal of mine. I love that the professors were very understanding of the workload while at the same time making sure the content was exactly what we needed to excel as new school leaders.
JODI HARD Special Education Teacher WWES
I chose Purdue’s administrative licensing program because I had a positive undergraduate experience with the College of Education. The clear, concise course structure was attractive knowing I would be working through the program while teaching and coaching.
I wasn’t sure what to expect in a hybrid program, but I have been pleasantly surprised with the faculty’s feedback and interest in my personal development. The coursework is intellectually stimulating and a nice change of pace from classroom responsibilities and regular professional development. It is sufficiently grounded in research and highly practical.
The faculty is highly accomplished within K-12 education and can speak to the present realities within Indiana’s schools. It’s great to learn from people who have done or are doing the work you’re preparing to do.
I didn’t expect to say this on day one, but the hybrid model is among my favorite aspects of the program. The campus sessions help create a sense of community while the online coursework fits well with my busy schedule. I appreciate the opportunity to extend my professional network more meaningfully in person without having to commit to daily or weekly on-campus classes.
DAVID JOEST Social Studies Teacher West Lafayette Community School Corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
How many credit hours to receive the add on license in Building Level Licensure program? 21 credit hours
Is the Building Level License an initial license or an additional license? It is an administrator licensure program which leads to an initial administrator BLA license. Candidates must have an Indiana instructional Professional Educator’s License to obtain the BLA license.
How long are the courses? Most are 8 weeks, a few of the courses are 16 weeks.
How much time should I allow for doing homework and completing assignments? Plan on devoting 10–15 hours a week on coursework, depending on the course requirements that week and your study habits.
How do I get my license for Building Level? A transcript evaluation and credential review must be requested to start the process. This will generate a plan of study that you will need to follow to qualify for your license.
