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Illinois Principal Licensure – Online Certification Program
Here to get you there
Be the Change as a School Leader
ACE’s has multiple pathways toward Illinois (IL) principal licensure, including our online Principal Certification Programs, that are fast and affordable for Illinois educators.** Our online principal licensure programs may help you earn a principal endorsement on your professional educator license, while preparing you to take the Principal as an Instructional Leader exam. Be the Change as a School Leader.
Earn Your PEL Administrative Endorsement
Our programs are intentionally designed to help you become a confident school leader by equipping you with the knowledge, experience and skills you need.
Choose Your Path Toward Principal Licensure**
Whether you need a master’s degree or already have one, we have a flexible and affordable pathway for you.
Certificate in
Principal Preparation
Designed for aspiring principals, directors or administrators, our fully online Certificate in Principal Preparation prepares you to become an education leader and earn your administrative or principal certification. You’ll engage with current scientific research, pedagogy and instructional technology while improving your supervision and leadership skills. Understand how to create an effective school-wide vision and use data to inform decision-making in P-12 school settings. Advance your career while maximizing your impact in the field of education.
TOTAL PROGRAM COST
$5,925*
FINISH IN
12
MONTHS†
CREDITS
21
Master of Education
Educational Leadership**
Designed for aspiring principals, the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership prepares you to lead a PreK-12 school. You’ll develop the strategies to design and implement a shared school vision — one that reflects a core set of values surrounding equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community. You’ll learn to maintain an inclusive culture and advocate for the needs of students, families, and personnel. Through systematic problem solving and data-driven decision making, this program will shape you to be a reflective and responsive educational leader.
TOTAL PROGRAM COST
$9,500*
FINISH IN
17-19
MONTHS†
CREDITS
34
*All values shown are an estimated value of the cost of tuition and fees. Actual amounts may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, the receipt of scholarship or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
**Graduates may still need to satisfy additional state licensure requirements such as years of experience in a prior or current position, additional coursework, internship hours, content test passage, or additional training such as CPR certification, as applicable. ACE principal educator preparation programs are CAEP accredited and approved by the Indiana State Department of Education. Prospective students are strongly advised to confirm the benefit(s) or available out-of-state pathway for which they may be eligible with their Department of Education, prior to enrolling in an American College of Education degree or certificate program.
†This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, successful course completion and meeting program milestones as required.
What Sets Us Apart
We’re dedicated to equipping you with the skills you need for future success, while helping you achieve a positive return on your investment.
85%
of Our Students Finish Without Debt¹
$19.20
Earned for Every Dollar Spent²
All 50
States and 70+ Countries
No. 3
in the Nation For Most Master’s Degrees Awarded in Education⁴
34,000+
Degrees Awarded
94%
Student Satisfaction³
1 Source: Internal research completed in June 2023 2 Source: Lightcast employment data
3 Source: Student Right to Know 4 Source: All Education Master’s Degrees (CIP 13.00)
Recognized and Accredited
American College of Education is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission— a federally-recognized accrediting agency. This accreditation ensures that an institution’s academic program meets or exceeds acceptable levels of quality and is the most recognized accreditation status for higher education entities. To receive and maintain HLC accreditation and affiliation approval, we must continuously undergo routine peer review cycles and provide proof that our programs meet or exceed HLC accreditation criteria and expectations of quality.
Our M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This evidence-based accreditation assures that our program aligns with CAEP’s quality standards for excellent educator preparation.