You desire to inspire and lead others.

The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential prepares you to serve as an entry-level school administrator. You’ll learn to establish and sustain a vital learning community that supports powerful teaching and learning. This program is offered fully online throughout the state of California or in person at PLNU’s Bakersfield Regional Center. Courses provide 24 semester units foundational to the Master’s in Educational Administration degree with a concentration in educational leadership. An additional 12 semester units are required for the master's degree.

This program is ideal for:

• Public and private school educators who seek to lead at school sites or at the district level.
• Educators who seek cutting-edge graduate study focused on learning results and supportive relationships.

You may earn your Preliminary Administrative Services Credential alone or as part of your Master’s in Educational Administration.

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We're here to make the entire process a simple one. We'll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Summer 2025 Quad I — May 12, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — September 2, 2025
• Online Only: Spring 2026 Quad I — January 12, 2026

Application Deadline(s):

• Summer 2025 Quad I — April 25, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — August 15, 2025
• Online Only: Spring 2026 Quad I — January 12, 2026

Note: Not all programs offer entry for new students each quad. Check with your enrollment counselor for programs and start dates. This program is offered in a fully online format in San Diego and is offered both fully online and hybrid in Bakersfield.

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript from an institution that indicates the completion of an undergraduate degree.

Admissions Interview: You may be eligible for an interview waiver. Eligibility can be discussed in more depth with a PLNU admissions counselor once you've started your application. 

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Requirements

3 – 5 years of teaching experience required. 5 years teaching required to apply for the credential.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit a personal essay, 2-3 pages in length and double-spaced.
4. Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.
5. Basic Skills Requirement: Senate Bill 153 (Chap. 38, Stats 2024), effective June 29, 2024, makes two changes to the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). Specifically, the bill adds a provision that allows possession of a bachelor’s (or higher) degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university to meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). The bill also removes the BSR as a requirement for earning any credential or permit where the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree. 

Start Application

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. For information about PLNU programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our Disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on this website. 

Pursuing a degree or credential in educational leadership focus will prepare you to lead at the school site or district level or to continue leading at those levels with greater effectiveness.

Career opportunities include:

• Principal or vice principal

• District administrator

• Instructional coordinator

• Curriculum specialist

• Program director

• College or university provost or dean

• College or university department chair

• Admissions counselor

• University registrar

For information about the courses required for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information