Application Deadline
Fall 2025
- Open Date: November 15, 2024
- Deadline: April 1, 2025
- Classes Start: August 26, 2025
Eligibility
- You must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
- Valid elementary or secondary teaching certification or Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate.
- Currently employed in a K-12 setting in WA Sate
- Minimum of 3 years of instructional experience in a K-12 setting.
Application Requirements
If any documents are generated using Artificial intelligence (AI), your application may be denied.
- Complete the Online Application.
Official Transcripts
- Submit an official transcript from the institution where you earned your bachelor's degree. You only need to list that school on your application, unless you choose to submit additional transcripts from other schools.
- If you previously attended Gonzaga or are a current student, GU transcripts are ordered by your Application Specialist on your behalf.
Official transcripts can be mailed or emailed to:
Gonzaga University
Graduate Admissions Operations
AD Box 102
502 E Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0068
gradtranscripts@gonzaga.edu
Letters of Recommendation
Please provide two professional recommenders. Supervisors or past professors are great choices for recommenders. Letters of recommendation are facilitated through the online application. Recommendations from family members are not accepted.
Advise your recommenders to touch on these points in their letters:
- Describe and provide examples of your ability to lead initiatives in the school setting.
- Describe and provide examples of your commitment to serving students.
- Describe and provide examples of your instructional ability.
- Describe and provide examples of your commitment to cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards.
Written Essays
Your written essays should include your responses to the following two prompts. Each response should be 500 words or less.
Prompt #1: Choose one of the following:
- If I could change one thing about schools it would be...
- My most satisfying experience in education was...
- Parent engagement is important to me because...
Prompt #2:
- Our program requires a significant amount of time during and after-school hours. Please share how you intend to balance your work, family, and program ensuring your health, wellness, and success.
Video Submission
- Develop and record a presentation to outline three (3) leadership activities you have been involved with during the last 2-3 years. These leadership activities should showcase your ability and understanding of what it takes to lead a school toward academic improvement and equitable learning environments for all. Please ensure you focus on the type of initiative, your degree of leadership involvement, and the impact made on student learning. Please limit the presentation to 10 minutes.
District Permission Form
- Please submit this form getting permission from your district to complete your internship with them. You will be required to get a signature from a district representative.
Copy of Teaching or ESA certificate from Washington State
- Provide proof of your teaching or ESA certificate from Washington State (Screenshot acceptable).
Abuse Course Certificate
- This is typically a certificate of completion or a transcript indicating in which academic course you completed the content or an annual Child and Protective Services course.
Resumé or CV
Submit your current resume or curriculum vitae of professional experience. Please format your vitae as shown below and address each of the bulleted items listed. In each section, provide dates with the most recent date first.
- Education and Work Experience: Describe your education and work history including location, length of service, position, and your work with diverse populations.
- Professional Development/Training: List career-related training and professional development programs completed within the past four years; include the source of training, the duration, and year completed.
- Volunteer/Unpaid Service: List and describe any voluntary post-secondary employment and community service experience. Include the name of organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties.
- Leadership Experience: Describe specific training and/or experiences you have had as a project leader, trainer, or co-coordinator of change initiatives.
Gonzaga Scholarship Information
Once you start your application you will have the option to apply for a one-time scholarship for this program.
If you plan to apply for this scholarship, please upload a document to your application that answers the following questions.
- Why did you decide to pursue a career in K-12 education?
- Explain your definition of leadership and what and/or who has influenced your definition?
- How would receiving this scholarship impact your ability to succeed in the Master’s in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification program?
Military-Connected Students and Veterans
Currently, all active-duty military members must have permission/approval from an Education Services Officer (ESO), Military Counselor, or the Military Service prior to applying.
- For more information on how to begin your graduate school application process, please visit the military-connected student and veterans How to Get Started page.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our Application Specialist.
Contact:
Catie Peissig | Application Specialist
Call or Text (509) 313-4370 or (866) 380-5323
peissig@gonzaga.edu
Schedule a Phone Appointment
If you have questions about program details, financing your degree or other questions, please contact your Admissions Specialist.
Contact:
Erin Magnuson | Application Specialist
Call or Text (509) 313-4325 or (866) 380-5323
magnusone@gonzaga.edu