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High Tech High Graduate School of Education
High Tech High Graduate School of Education
High Tech High Graduate School of Education

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Program Overview
pathways
Important Dates
CURRICULUM
Admission Requirements

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program

Program Overview

The High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE) Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) program prepares equity-driven leaders through culturally responsive leadership frameworks, deeper learning pedagogy, and liberatory education practices. Grounded in our core learning outcomes—Transform Self and Systems, Design for Liberation and Deeper Learning, and Practice Thoughtful Inquiry & Reflection—the program connects theory to practice with hands-on, inquiry-driven experiences that prepare leaders to tackle complex challenges and advance justice in K-12 schools.

For aspiring leaders in California, this program provides a supportive pathway to administrative roles such as Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Special Education, Curriculum Specialist, Program Manager, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment or District Data Specialist.

HTH GSE PASC program offers a 10-month PASC only pathway and a 20-month Master’s in Educational leadership with a PASC pathway. 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.

It is highly recommended that you join the HTHGSE mailing list for any updates over the next few months and schedule a time to meet with our Admissions team to prepare for the next cycle. Applications will launch in October!

Pathways

10 month online (PASC only)

  • Continue working full time while pursuing your credential
  • Week-long in-person immersion in San Diego to launch the program (August)
  • Class Schedule:
    • Year 1: Thursdays from 4-5:30 pm (bi-weekly online)
    • Year 1: Wednesdays from 4-6 pm (weekly online)


20 month online (M.Ed. + PASC)

  • Continue working full time while pursuing your master’s degree and credential
  • Week-long in-person immersion in San Diego to launch the program (August)
  • Class Schedule:
    • Year 1: Thursdays from 4-5:30 pm (bi-weekly online)
    • Year 1: Wednesdays from 4-6 pm (weekly online)
      Year 2: Tuesdays from 4-6 pm (weekly online)
    • Year 2: Thursdays from 4-5:30 pm (bi-weekly online)

All class schedules are listed in Pacific Time
*times subject to change*

TUITION:

  • Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)
    • Standard Tuition: $9,000 (Fall 2026)
  • M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
    • Standard Tuition: $20,000
  • M.Ed. + PASC (combined)
    • Standard Tuition: $29,000
    • Combined Programs: $23,000 ($6,000 discount)

Important Dates

Application Opens: October 1
Priority Admission Deadline: December 1
Program Launch: August 2026 (In-Person- San Diego)

Information Session:
October 9, 2025 at 4:30 pm PT (register here)

Curriculum

Core Courses:

  • Core Values and Design Principles (Immersion Week): Delivered in person at HTH GSE in San Diego, this course prepares candidates to lead for deeper learning by introducing seminal topics, foundational critical pedagogy texts, and project based learning as we build a trusting and connected community of learners.
  • Leading for Liberation: Culture, Conflict, & Conversation: In this course, students develop as leaders for DEI through action and reflection at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural levels.
  • Design for Deeper Learning: This course builds the capacity of school leaders to design for transformational learning environments by cultivating the conditions that lead to Deeper Learning.
  • Facilitating Adult Learning: This course examines the levers of environmental architecture, professional learning, and one-on-one coaching that school leaders utilize to support adult learning.
  • Positive School Culture & School Law: In this course, students examine how educational and constitutional law intersect with the development of positive school culture.
  • Financial Resourcing for Equity: This course provides students with an understanding of education funding and explores how leaders leverage budgets for equity by collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
  • Leading Innovative Schools: This course interrogates the conditions of “innovation,” the future of education, and the change leadership required to create, redesign, and lead transformational learning.


California Administrator Performance Assessment (Cal APA) Seminar:

This course is designed to support administrative credential candidates in completing the three Leadership Cycles for the CalAPA. In this course, candidates will examine the assessment requirements and expectations for candidate performance, while deepening our understanding of the CalAPA cycles, scoring rubrics, and explanatory materials. Candidates will engage in formative field experiences such as analyzing data, facilitating collaborative professional learning, and coaching for improved instruction, as well as apply CalAPA rubrics to related assignments.

Admission Requirements

  • Verification of minimum of four years of full-time credentialed experience in public school, nonpublic school, or private school of equivalent status located in California or another state, or a combination of experience earned in California and another state. teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical or rehabilitative services, or a combination of teaching and school services equal to four years.
  • A valid Clear California credential
    • A valid California clear or life teaching credential
    • A valid California clear or life Designated Subjects Teaching Credential
    • A valid clear or life California Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Teacher Librarian Services Credential, Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential, or a School Nurse Services Credential
  • Currently employed in a school context
    • An educational setting, allowing for application of coursework in your work context.
    • Brings expertise and experience with instructional design, pedagogy, social-emotional learning, community & family engagement, organizational leadership, etc.
    • Desires to be a part of a dynamic community of practice
      Self reflective, growth oriented, open to feedback, and brings an unwavering equity lens to practice
      Collaborative, and passionate about reimagining schools


Program Completion & Recommendation Requirements
In order to be recommended for a California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential candidates must pass all program coursework/fieldwork and provide evidence of the following:

  • Submit a Verification of Employment as an Administrator (CL-777)* see below
  • Possess a valid California Clear Teaching or Services Credential (with at least one year remaining on document).
  • Verify five years of teaching or services experience**
  • Pass all three CalAPA cycles


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

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