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How to Apply to the Principal Leadership Institute

Admissions Criteria

The UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies requires that all PLI applicants meet the following criteria.

  • Five years of full-time teaching or personnel service experience preferred.
  • Successful undergraduate performance (at least 3.0 in undergraduate degree and/or a successful graduate academic history, if applicable)
  • Not required – Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Well-written, reflective essays
  • Strong recommendations (including one from a current supervisor)
  • Ability to communicate well in group settings

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Criteria

To be admitted to PLI, applicants must also meet the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s conditions which apply to the Tier I Credential (the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential).

Applicants for the Tier I Credential must:

  • Possess a valid California teaching or services credential including a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential, a Designated Subjects Teaching Credential (provided the applicant possesses a bachelor’s degree), a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, a Health Services Credential, or a Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential
  • Have a minimum five years of successful, full-time experience in the public schools or private schools of equivalent status when they begin PLI
  • Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
  • Complete a program of specialized and professional preparation in administrative services from an approved university, PLI in this case

 

How to Apply

Please read the PLI Application Checklist for all of the details before you start the application process.

  1. Online Application
    Complete the UCLA Graduate Admissions Application.
    The fee for U.S citizens and Permanent Residents is $120.
  2. Upload Supporting Documents
    The PLI Application Checklist outlines the process of submitting each supporting document.

    • Copy of transcripts (we also need an official transcript to be mailed to UCLA; see Step 4)
    • Statement of Purpose: Why do you want to become a social justice school leader in an urban community?
    • Essay Response: Please see the PLI Application Checklist for the essay topics.
    • UCLA Graduate Council Statement of Purpose
    • UCLA Graduate Council Personal Statement
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  3. Three letters of recommendation – submitted online
    One recommendation must be from your current supervisor.
  4. Mail official transcripts
    In addition to uploading copies of your official transcripts, they must also be mailed to us.
    Send transcripts to:
    UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
    Office of Student Services
    1009 Moore Hall, UCLA Box 951521
    Los Angeles, California 90095-1521

 

Application Checklist

Here is the PLI Application Checklist that outlines the steps of the application process.

Assistance

The Office of Student Services looks forward to assisting you throughout the PLI application process. Please contact Kim Matheussens (mattheussens@gseis.ucla.edu) if you have any questions.

Leading for Justice

Applying for the 2026-27 academic year?

The application will be available from mid-September, 2025 through February 2, 2026.

Application Checklist

The time I spent in PLI has profoundly changed the way I approach educational leadership. Before joining PLI, I had a heart for Social Justice, but I lacked the language, theoretical framework, and tools to be an effective catalyst for change. Now, I feel confident in my ability to identify inequitable practices in schools and have gained the courage to take action that will powerfully lead to positive student outcomes for all.”

Andrew Kim