ACSA Leadership Institute Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program

Build the Skills You Need

The Association of California School Administrators, working in tandem with the Sacramento County Office of Education, has developed a dynamic program that seeks to facilitate a series of opportunities for aspiring leaders to grow in their leadership capacity, and to build the skills they need to solve the biggest challenges in education.

The Leadership Institute offers candidates an opportunity to earn a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential through our 10-month program. The program is accredited through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and is comprised of six online courses based on the California Administrator Performance Expectations (CAPEs) and integration of CalAPA exam content.

Additional benefits include free ACSA Student membership during enrollment and premier CalAPA support. Scholarships are available.

Information Sessions

Download Flyer

July 7, 2026 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Register

July 29, 2026 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Register

Complete a Leadership Institute interest form for updates.

Interest Form

Criteria, Application and Costs

Eligibility Criteria

Copy of one of the following valid credentials:

A valid California clear or life teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching; or
A valid California clear or life Designated Subjects Teaching Credential, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or
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, requiring a bachelor’s degree and a program of professional preparation, including field practice or the equivalent. or
A valid California 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.

Holders of any of the other Health Services Credentials, such as the school physician, dentist, dental hygienist, optometrist, clinical psychologist, and psychiatric social worker, do not meet this requirement.

For the above prerequisite credentials, the bachelor’s degree satisfies the Basic Skills Requirement also as of July 1, 2024.

Options for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement:

Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Degree
Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework
Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework and Exam
Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT
Pass the CBEST
Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination
Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or CSU Placement Examinations
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State

A minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience. Full-time service means service for a minimum of four hours per day for at least three-fourths of the total days in the school year. (2.5 or 3 days per week contracts do not meet the CTC’s full-time requirements)

The applicant process includes verification that the candidate has a minimum of:

Preliminary: Four years of experience (with the fifth year completed while concurrently completing the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program)
Intern: Five years of experience prior to entering the program and being recommended for a Preliminary Administrative Intern Credential
- To be eligible for the Preliminary Administrative Services Intern Credential, applicants must currently work in an administrative position or have a contract that requires you to enter an Administrative Intern Program.

Application Process

Application Process for the Cohort 2026-27:

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program Application

Accepting applications until August 1, 2026.
Late applications will be accepted based on available space up until August 10, 2026.

Apply Now

Preliminary Administrative Intern Services Credential Program Application

Accepting applications until August 1, 2026.
Late applications will be accepted based on available space up until August 10, 2026.

Apply Now

Cohorts begin on August 15, 2026.

Program Cost

The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program Cost: $8,750 for 2026-2027 year*

Cost includes textbooks, program materials, and tuition

There are three payment options available:

OPTION 1

$500 non-refundable deposit due July 1, 2026 and $8,250 by check or credit card by Aug. 1, 2026

OPTION 2

$500 non-refundable deposit due July 1, 2026, $5,000 by Aug. 1, 2026, and $3,250 Feb. 1, 2027. Paid by check or credit card.

OPTION 3

$500 non-refundable deposit due July 1, 2026. A loan through SchoolsFirst Credit Union program tuition of $8,250 due by Aug. 1, 2026. Paid by check or card.

The Preliminary Administrative Intern Services Credential Program Cost: $9,750 for 2026-2027 year*

Administrative Intern Services Credential Program Payment Options & Schedule 2026-2027

*Additional Cost

In addition to successful completion of the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program, preliminary candidates are required to take, and pass, all three cycles of the Cal APA Exam in order to receive their Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Cal APA Exam fees are not included in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program fees.

These fees are paid separately by the participant.

Cal APA Exam Fees:

Cycle 1: $125
Cycle 2: $150
Cycle 3: $150

Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the California Department of Education.

Program Completion Requirements

Completion of program tasks, including:

Coursework for six courses (fieldwork, online coursework/chats, and end-of-course signature assignment)
CalAPA Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (score reports verifying successful completion)
Individual Development Plan

Verification letter confirming five years of full-time experience in teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical rehabilitative services, occupational therapy or physical therapy, or a combination of teaching and school services equal to five years .

Program payment in full.

Contact Us

Contact with questions.

Make a Program Payment

The ACSA preliminary administrative services credential program puts you in touch with real world leaders in education. I was able to get advice and expand my resume by landing an administrative position in MVUSD. The experiences I have achieved have prepared me for my future in administration.

— Dr. Aftan Wright
(Leadership Institute Graduate, 2021)

The 10-month program taught by current principals, superintendents, directors and leaders offered flexibility without any unnecessary elements or ‘fluff’. Every moment, whether in-person classes or weekly coaching sessions, was maximized effectively. This approach ensured my success in passing the CalAPAs and transitioning seamlessly into an administrative role, all while managing a full-time job.

— Hannah Johnson
(Cohort 6 Leadership Institute Graduate)

Nondiscrimination: No candidate will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familiar status, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition in its employment practices. This policy of affording equal candidate access to all persons is in keeping with provisions of state and federal laws and regulations.

ACSA’s Leadership Institute offers aspiring leaders the opportunity to earn their Preliminary Administrative Services Credential or Preliminary Administrative Intern Services Credential and grow their leadership capacity.