Alaska’s educational system is like no other in terms of both its challenges and its opportunities. It’s influenced by a rich, indigenous heritage and built on shared values and traditions that have been shaped by generations of Alaskans. But it’s also faced its share of challenges due to geography, teacher shortages/high teacher turnover, and inadequate school funding. The result? Some of the largest achievement gaps in the country.
But you’ve committed your career to the Alaska public school system, and you’re not about to stop now. Thanks to educators like you, the state’s 502 schools in 53 school districts have made meaningful changes in recent years aimed at addressing and correcting student achievement gaps and improving graduation rates.
For example, a growing number of educators, working alongside parents, policymakers, tribal leaders, partner organizations, and local school boards, have committed to Alaska’s Education Challenge, a strategic initiative of the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. Through a targeted action plan, the Education Challenge seeks to decrease absenteeism, increase the number of students in grades 3-5 who are proficient in reading and math, expand high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs, increase the overall graduation rate to 90 percent, and much more.
You’ve spent your time as an educator in the classroom – the trenches of the education system. But now you’ve decided to take your career in education in a different direction, to the administrative side of education. Though you’ll be leaving the classroom, you’ll still be firmly committed to building upon and improving the state’s education system as a principal or superintendent. It’s an exciting new chapter for your career, and one that you’re sure to meet with the same fearlessness and dedication you’ve brought to your classroom.
Now it’s time to begin thinking about the education that will take you from educator to administrator. Whether a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree is in your future, Alaska colleges and universities have what you need to prepare you to become a principal or superintendent and lead with confidence.
How to Become a Principal in Alaska – School-level Educational Leadership
You’ll need to complete a number of specific steps to earn your Type B Administrative Certificate through the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and land a job as a principal in Alaska.
You’ll need to have at least three years of experience as a certified teacher or special service provider to become a principal in Alaska.
With that experience under your belt, you can begin taking the steps to become a principal in Alaska.
Step 1. Earn a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and Complete a State-approved School Principal Preparation Program
You’ll find a variety of master’s degrees in Alaska are offered as part of state-approved preparation programs. These programs include all necessary components for certification, including a supervised clinical experience. Just some of the programs available include:
- MEd in Educational Leadership
- MEd Education Leadership - Principal (K-8, 7-12, or both)
- MEd School Administration - Principal (K-12)
If you already hold a master’s degree, you may choose to complete a graduate certificate that includes a principal endorsement (K-12). You may also choose to pursue an educational specialist or doctoral program, such as:
- EdS Educational Specialist/K-12 Leadership
- EdS Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
- EdD Educational Leadership
- EdD Leadership & Innovation
Students must also receive a recommendation from the college or university they graduated from before they can pursue a Type B Administrative Certificate.
Step 2. Complete at Least Four Mandatory Trainings During the Five-year Period Prior to Applying for Your Administrative Certificate
Mandatory trainings include:
- Sexual abuse awareness and prevention
- Alcohol or drug related disabilities
- Dating violence awareness and prevention
- Suicide awareness and prevention
Only trainings approved by an Alaska public school district or the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) fulfill this requirement.
Step 3. Earn an Initial Type B Administrative Certificate
You’ll first earn an Initial Administrative Certificate, a two-year certificate.
Step 4. Transition to the Standard Type B Administrative Certificate After Two Years
During the two years under an initial administrative certificate, you must complete the following to be eligible for the standard, five-year Administrative Certificate:
- Three semester hours of approved Alaska studies coursework
- Three semester hours of approved Alaska Multicultural coursework
- Six semester hours of recenct credits
Step 5. Renew your Type B Administrative Certificate
Type B Administrative Certificates are valid for five years and are renewable, provided you:
- Complete at least six semester hours of credit in the last five years that is related to your employment. Three of those six semester hours must be upper division or graduate credit.
- Verify with DEED that you’re currently employed in an Alaska public school district in a position that requires a certificate
School Principal Salary and Jobs in Alaska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), principals in Alaska earned a median salary of $101,880 and a top salary of about $126,460 as of May 2021.
In the Anchorage metro area, the BLS reported that principals earned a median salary of $101,880 and a top salary of about $130,040. There are 34 city and borough school districts and 19 Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) in the Anchorage metro area. The Anchorage School District alone is home to 97 schools that serve more than 41,000 students.
Not surprising for Alaska, the largest number of certified school principals (340) were found working in the nonmetropolitan areas of the state in 2021 and that’s where most of the jobs will be found too. Anchorage was home to 240 school principals that year, and has a growing population that is likely to create new principal job opportunities in the years ahead.
How to Become a Superintendent in Alaska – District-Level Educational Leadership
You’ll need to complete a series of specific steps to earn your Type B Administrative Certificate with Superintendent endorsement and secure a superintendent position in the state.
You’ll need to have at least five years of full-time employment experience as a certified teacher or certified school administrator to become a superintendent in Alaska. Of those five years of experience, at least three must be as a certified teacher in an elementary or secondary program, and one must be as a certified administrator.
With that experience behind you, you can begin taking the steps required to become a superintendent in Alaska.
Step 1. Earn a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and Complete a State-approved Superintendent Preparation Program
You’ll find a variety of master’s, educational specialist, and education doctorate degrees designed as state-approved superintendent preparation programs that include the supervised clinical experience requirement. While Alaska’s selection of programs isn’t plentiful, there are many online graduate programs throughout the country that meet the requirements to become a superintendent in Alaska.
- MEd Educational Leadership
- EdS Educational Administration
- EdD Leadership and Administration
- EdD Leadership in Educational Administration: Superintendent Endorsement
A number of schools also offer Superintendent Graduate Certificate Programs for students who have already earned a master’s degree and hold an existing Type B Administrative Certificate issued by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. These graduate certificate programs lead to a Superintendent Endorsement and include an on-site internship that spans the length of the school year.
Step 2. Complete at Least Four Mandatory Trainings During the Preceding Five-year Period
Mandatory trainings include:
- Sexual abuse awareness and prevention
- Alcohol or drug related disabilities
- Dating violence awareness and prevention
- Suicide awareness and prevention
Only trainings approved by an Alaska public school district or the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) fulfill this requirement.
Step 3. Earn an Initial Type B Administrative Certificate with Superintendent Endorsement
You’ll first earn an Initial Administrative Certificate, which is valid for two years.
Step 4. Transition to the Standard Type B Administrative Certificate After Two Years
During the two years under an initial administrative certificate, you must complete the following to be eligible for the standard, five-year Administrative Certificate:
- Three semester hours of approved Alaska studies coursework
- Three semester hours of approved Alaska Multicultural coursework
- Six semester hours of recenct credits
Step 5. Renew your Type B Administrative Certificate with Superintendent Endorsement
Type B Administrative Certificates are valid for five years and are renewable, provided you:
- Complete at least six semester hours of credit in the last five years (three of which must be upper division or graduate credit) that is related to your employment
- Verify that you’re currently employed in an Alaska public school district in a position that requires a certificate
Superintendent Salary and Jobs in Alaska
According to the BLS, superintendents in Anchorage and throughout Alaska earned about $130,040 as of May 2021. Just some of the school districts in the Anchorage metro area where you’ll find superintendent positions include:
- Alaska Gateway School District
- Anchorage School District
- Chugach School District
- Cordova City School District
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
- Valdez City School District
- Yakutat School District
Educational Leadership Degree Options in Alaska: Doctorate and Master’s in Educational Leadership
Exciting changes are happening in Alaska education, and job opportunities continue to grow. In fact, in the years leading up to 2030, jobs among Alaska’s administrators are projected to increase by 7.3%. Whether your plans include pursuing a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree, you’ll find an outstanding selection of programs both in and outside of Alaska. Many programs are now offered in convenient, online formats that offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility for today’s busy educators.
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2023.