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Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program

Lead Schools. Transform Systems.

The HTH GSE Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) prepares aspiring California school leaders to lead with equity, foster deeper learning, and create meaningful change. Candidates explore culturally responsive leadership, liberatory practices, and inquiry while building practical leadership skills. Designed for working educators, the 10-month program combines live online coursework with fieldwork, an in-person San Diego launch, and personalized support through all three CalAPA cycles.

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what sets us apart

Leadership Preparation Grounded in Practice

10 Months

Earn your Preliminary Administrative Services Credential while continuing to work full-time.

Online + In-Person

Learn online with an in-person program launch in San Diego.

Structured CalAPA Support

Candidates receive year-long support through a seminar to help pass all three CalAPA cycles.

Two people sit in wooden chairs indoors, having a conversation. One person holds a paper, while the other listens. A classroom presentation is visible in the background, with sunlight streaming through large windows.

Stay connected for PASC admissions updates, information sessions, program news, and more!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Earn Your Preliminary Administrative Services Credential

The HTH GSE Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) prepares aspiring California school leaders to lead with equity, foster deeper learning, and create meaningful change within their schools and communities. Through culturally responsive leadership, liberatory education practices, and thoughtful inquiry, candidates develop the skills and mindsets to navigate complex challenges and transform educational systems.

Designed for working educators, the 10-month program combines live online coursework with supervised fieldwork grounded in each candidate’s professional context. Candidates begin together with an in-person program launch in San Diego and receive personalized support throughout all three required CalAPA cycles.

Three people, including an M.Ed. graduate, are engaged in a collaborative discussion around a table with colorful papers and documents. They are in a room with a KWL chart on the wall covered in sticky notes. One person gestures as others listen attentively.

ONLINE PATHWAY

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

Earn your PASC in 10 months while working full-time. Candidates learn together in a cohort through live online coursework, supervised fieldwork, and a week-long in-person program launch in San Diego. Coursework develops leadership capacity in equity, instructional leadership, deeper learning, and community engagement while providing personalized support for all three CalAPA cycles.

A group of people stand in a hallway, engaged in lively conversation about their Educational Leadership Program. Some hold notebooks and phones. The setting includes a visible ceiling with exposed beams and soft lighting, creating a casual and open atmosphere.

ONLINE PATHWAY

Master’s in Educational Leadership + Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

Earn your master’s degree and credential in just 20 months. During year one, candidates focus on requirements to earn their preliminary administrative credential. During the second year, candidates finish up their master’s in educational leadership by enrolling in our leadership courses and completing an action research project of their own design.

Three people, including an M.Ed. graduate, are engaged in a collaborative discussion around a table with colorful papers and documents. They are in a room with a KWL chart on the wall covered in sticky notes. One person gestures as others listen attentively.

ONLINE PATHWAY

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

Earn your PASC in 10 months while working full-time. Candidates learn together in a cohort through live online coursework, supervised fieldwork, and a week-long in-person program launch in San Diego. Coursework develops leadership capacity in equity, instructional leadership, deeper learning, and community engagement while providing personalized support for all three CalAPA cycles.

 

A group of people stand in a hallway, engaged in lively conversation about their Educational Leadership Program. Some hold notebooks and phones. The setting includes a visible ceiling with exposed beams and soft lighting, creating a casual and open atmosphere.

ONLINE PATHWAY

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

HTH GSE PASC program offers a 10-month PASC only pathway and a 20-month Master’s in Educational leadership with a PASC pathway for aspiring leaders in California. Both pathways begin in August and follow a cohort model. Candidates engage in supervised fieldwork focused on equity, instructional leadership, and community engagement. Candidates will complete three required CalAPA cycles while receiving personalized support through coursework directly aligned with each task.

Where PASC Can Take You

The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential prepares California educators to pursue school and district leadership roles, including:

School Leadership

Assistant Principal, Principal

Instructional & Student Support Leadership

Curriculum Specialist, Director of Special Education, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment

District & Program Leadership

Program Manager, District Data Specialist

Build the leadership skills, field-based experience, and California credential preparation needed to take the next step toward administrative leadership.

1-on-1 Meeting

Meet with our Admissions Manager to discuss PASC eligibility, program details, application preparation, and your questions.

Information Session

Join a live virtual session to explore the PASC experience, program requirements, and admissions process with our program and Admissions teams.

EXPLORE MORE

Dig into the Program Details

Read more about our application process, enrollment requirements, program costs, and curriculum.

Our Fall 2027 application will open in October!

If you’re interested in applying for our next cycle, we encourage you to join our mailing list to connect with our Admissions Team and receive updates about upcoming information sessions.

Employment History
Candidates must verify the required full-time credentialed experience. The current requirements specify a minimum of four years for candidates currently employed in an eligible public, nonpublic, or private school setting and a minimum of five years for candidates not currently employed in one of those settings. Verification must be provided on official school or district letterhead and include dates of employment and an authorized signature.

Appropriate Prerequisite Credential
Candidates must hold an appropriate valid clear or life California teaching or services credential, or another qualifying credential/license identified by the program requirements.

Candidates must satisfy at least one of the following conditions: 

 

  • Hold a valid clear or life California teaching credential that requires a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching or the equivalent, and holds an English learner authorization; or
  • Hold a valid clear or life California designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, career technical education, vocational education or special subjects, provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree, and holds an English learner authorization; or
  • Hold a valid clear or life California services credential in pupil personnel services, health services for school nurse, teacher librarian services, or speech-language pathology or clinical or rehabilitative services requiring a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including field work or the equivalent; or
  • Hold a valid license to practice occupational therapy issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy or a valid license to practice physical therapy issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California, provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree. Please note: Candidates recommended for the preliminary administrative services credential based on an Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy prerequisite credential will not be authorized to supervise teachers.


Basic Skills Requirement
Candidates must meet California’s Basic Skills Requirement through an approved option, which may include a bachelor’s degree, qualifying coursework, a combination of coursework and examination, or an approved examination pathway.

Active Connection to a TK–12 School
Candidates must have regular, ongoing access to a TK–12 educational setting where they can apply coursework directly to their professional context.

Dispositions Toward Equity Leadership
Candidates should be self-reflective, growth-oriented, open to feedback, collaborative, passionate about reimagining schools, and committed to bringing an equity lens to their practice.

FALL 2027 TUITION & FEES
Tuition: $14,700
Supervisor Fee: $1,500
Total Tuition & Fees: $16,200

We encourage candidates to explore SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union’s Special Curriculum Loan, with financing available up to the full cost of the program.


Please note: The standalone PASC program is not eligible for federal student loans.

CORE COURSES

  • Core Values and Design Principles (Immersion Week)
  • Leading for Liberation: Culture, Conflict, & Conversation
  • Design for Deeper Learning
  • Facilitating Adult Learning
  • Positive School Culture & School Law
  • Financial Resourcing for Equity
  • Leading Innovative Schools

 


CALAPA SUPPORT
The CalAPA Seminar Series supports leadership candidates through all three required California Administrative Performance Assessment cycles: school improvement, leading professional learning communities, and supporting teacher growth. Personalized support is embedded directly into coursework aligned with each task.

PROGRAM LAUNCH
Virtual: June and August 2027
In Person: August 2027

CLASS SCHEDULE
Wednesdays, 4:00–6:00 p.m. PT (weekly online)
Thursdays, 4:00–6:00 p.m. PT (bi-weekly online)
*Times subject to change.

PROGRAM COMPLETION & CREDENTIAL RECOMMENDATION
To be recommended for a California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, candidates must  satisfy all the following requirements:

 

  • Possess a valid California Clear Teaching or Services Credential (with at least one year remaining on document). Please note: Candidates recommended for the preliminary administrative services credential based on an Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy prerequisite credential will not be authorized to supervise teachers.
  • Complete a Commission-approved program of specialized and professional preparation in administrative services, including the Administrative Performance Assessment (APA), resulting in the formal recommendation of the program sponsor 
    • Pass all three CalAPA cycles
    • Complete 120 hours of fieldwork hours aligned with the CAPEs
    • Pass all program courses: EDU 600, 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 660A, 660B, 660C
  • Complete five years of full-time experience (see Terms and Definitions).
  • Submit a Verification of Employment as an Administrator (CL-777)

 

Any candidate who has completed the requirements above but does not have an offer of employment in an administrative position may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which verifies completion of all requirements for the preliminary credential and authorizes the holder to seek employment as an administrator.

 

Learn more about requirements for the Five-Year Preliminary Credential CTC Website

Address

Office of Admissions
High Tech High
Graduate School of Education
2150 Cushing Road San Diego CA 92106

Contact

Contact us if you have questions about any of our programs.
admissions@hthgse.edu
(619) 398-4902

Program News

Stay updated about the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program.

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