How to Apply to the Principal Leadership Institute
The application filing period opens in the fall (mid-September) and closes in early February. The application deadline for the 2020-2021 academic year will be February 3, 2020.
Please watch the PLI Recruitment video for an overview of the application process, but disregard the dates listed in the video. The application information begins 5 minutes into the video.
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 on applying, but here are the steps.
Online Application
Complete the UCLA Graduate Admissions Application. The application opens after September 9, 2019.
The fee for U.S citizens and Permanent Residents is $110.
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?
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report from the Educational
Testing Service. (This may be directly reported to UCLA. You may choose to upload this in the
Supporting Documents upload section.)
Preferably, all prospective students to the PLI program should take the GRE exam by January 1st.
Three letters of recommendation – submitted online
One recommendation must be from your current supervisor.
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
The Office of Student Services looks forward to assisting you throughout the PLI application process. Please contact Kim Matheussens () if you have any questions.
I had always been a social justice advocate in my heart, but PLI empowered me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to rise up as a leader in the fight for educational equity. PLI also introduced me to a powerful network of like-minded, visionary educators who are also seeking to create enduring and positive change in urban schools. Together, I believe we can begin to truly and fundamentally disrupt the systems that perpetuate educational inequity in Los Angeles.
Rene Quon
Executive Administrator of Monsenor Oscar Romero Charter School
PLI has been the ultimate transformational experience for my development as a social justice leader. The theoretical frameworks and discussions around equity and access provided me with resources that I could use immediately. The mentoring and encouragement have been so valuable; I owe my success as an administrator to PLI. I tell every aspiring administrator that there is no other place to do this work, UCLA PLI and nothing else!
Kenya Williams
Assistant Principal at University Pathways Public Service Academy High School
