Colorado’s public educational system is one of exceptions. Graduation rates have steadily increased in over the past decade, rising from 77.3% in 2013-14 to 82.3% in 2021-22. During the same period, the state’s average per pupil spending also rose from $6,652 in 2013-14 to $9,596 in 2022-23.
But it’s clear that the public education system in the Centennial State is also struggling with persistent issues like teacher shortages, a lack of resources, and per-pupil spending which, despite being at its highest level, is still well below the national average.
This isn’t breaking news for you, tireless educator. You’ve experienced, first-hand, the highs and lows that come with a job in education in Colorado. But you’ve stuck it out and are proud to serve as a beacon of excellence in the state’s public school system. Now it’s time to consider where you can take your career and the new ways you can make a difference.
A career in education administration may take you out of the classroom, but it will firmly establish you as an innovator and changemaker in the same system where you first proved yourself as a steadfast advocate for the public school system. Whether you’re looking to earn a master’s, educational specialist, or doctorate degree in an area like leadership or administration, you’re ready to take the next step into administration and become a principal or superintendent who’s laser-focused on making a difference.
How to Become a Principal in Colorado – School-level Educational Leadership
With gusto and determination, you’re ready to take the next step in your career in education. To become a principal in Colorado, you’ll need to earn an Initial Principal License through the Colorado Department of Education.
You’ll need to have already completed, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and an approved preparation program for educators to become a principal in Colorado. You’ll also need at least three years of experience as a fully licensed teacher or special services provider in an elementary or secondary school setting.
Once you have met the initial requirements to become a principal in Colorado, you’ll be ready to complete the following steps and earn your Principal License.
Step 1. Complete a Colorado-Approved Program for the Preparation of School Principals (Building-Level Administrators)
One of the most popular routes to becoming a principal in Colorado involves the completion of a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree that’s part of a Colorado approved preparation program for building-level administrators. These programs include all of the necessary coursework and practical requirements necessary to qualify for Principal (K-12) Licensure in Colorado.
Just some of the programs available include:
- MA in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- MAEd in Educational Leadership & Administration
- Master’s in Teaching and Learning (MSTL) - Education Leadership - Principal Licensure Concentration
A number of Colorado colleges and universities also offer either post-baccalaureate or post-master’s principal licensure programs. These stand-alone programs, which consist of between 24-36 credits, are often offered in fully online formats. Many times, admission requirements include at least two or more years of teaching experience in a public or private school.
Step 2. Take and Pass the Required Praxis Examination
You will need to take and pass the Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam (5412) to become a principal in Colorado. You can take this exam online or at one of the testing centers located throughout the state.
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic leadership
- Instructional leadership
- Climate and cultural leadership
- Ethical leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Community engagement leadership
Step 3. Apply for an Initial Principal License through the Colorado Department of Education
You can apply for this license by logging into your Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) account, completing the application, and uploading all required documentation.
Step 4. Advance to a Professional Principal License
Your Initial Principal license is valid for a period of three years, during which time you’ll need to complete a Colorado induction program to advance to a Professional Principal license. Colorado State Board of Education-approved induction programs include a period of supervision and mentorship. During this time, you’ll be supervised by mentor principals, earn ongoing professional development and training in ethics, and receive performance evaluations.
Step 5. Maintain Your Colorado Professional Principal License
Your Colorado Professional Principal license is valid for a period of seven years, during which time you’ll need to complete at least six semester hours (90 contact hours) of approved professional development activities.
School Principal Salary and Jobs in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Colorado principals earned a median salary of $99,330 as of May 2021. Some of the highest-earning principals earned about $118,960 during this time.
Boulder ranked first among the state’s metro areas for its median pay of principals, at $126,460. This includes the Boulder Valley School District, which is home to 56 schools throughout 11 communities like Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Broomfield, and Nederland.
The median salaries for principals in the Denver and Fort Collins metro areas were also above six figures, at $102,660 and $103,380, respectively.
How to Become a Superintendent in Colorado – District-Level Educational Leadership
As an educator, you’ll have already earned, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Now it’s time to advance your education with a master’s, educational specialist, or doctoral degree and learn how to earn an Initial Administrator License (P-12) through the Colorado Department of Education:
Step 1. Complete a Colorado-approved Program for the Preparation of Administrators
If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or doctoral degree that includes a Colorado approved preparation program for building-level administrators. These programs include all of the coursework and practical requirements necessary to qualify for a District-Level Administrator license with an administrator endorsement.
They may be designed as:
- MEd in Educational Administration
- MA in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
If you already have a master’s degree, you’ll find a number of colleges and universities that offer post-master’s administrator license programs for district-level leadership. These programs consist of about 12 semester hours. Most programs require students to have at least five years of leadership experience in education for admission. Students may then combine the coursework of these programs, if desired, with a EdS or EdD degree program.
Step 2. Take and Pass the Required Praxis Examination
You will need to take and pass the Praxis School Superintendent exam (6991) to become a superintendent in Colorado. You can take this exam online or at one of the testing centers located throughout the state.
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic leadership
- Instructional leadership
- Climate and cultural leadership
- Ethical and policy leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Community leadership
- Integrated knowledge and understanding (case study)
Step 3. Apply for an Initial Administrator License through the Colorado Department of Education
You can apply for this license by logging into your Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) account, completing the application, and uploading all required documentation.
Step 4. Advance to a Professional Administrator License
Your Initial Administrator license is valid for a period of three years, during which time you’ll need to complete a Colorado induction program to advance to a Professional Administrator license.
Colorado State Board of Education-approved induction programs include a period of supervision and mentorship. During this time, you’ll be supervised by mentors, earn ongoing professional development and training in ethics, and receive performance evaluations.
Step 5. Maintain Your Colorado Professional Administrator License
Your Colorado Professional Administrator license is valid for a period of seven years, during which time you’ll need to complete at least six semester hours (90 contact hours) of approved professional development activities.
Superintendent Salary and Jobs in Colorado
According to the BLS, superintendents in Colorado earned about $130,930 as of May 2021. Boulder came out on top for its average pay of superintendents, at $161,140, while other metro areas had average salaries that more closely resembled the state average:
- Colorado Springs: $126,040
- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood: $130,930
- Fort Collins: $131,540
- Grand Junction: $125,510
Educational Leadership Degree Options in Colorado: Doctorate and Master’s in Educational Leadership
Colorado principal and superintendent job opportunities are going nowhere but up in the coming years, with projections showing an impressive 18.3% growth in the number of these jobs in the years leading up to 2030. During this time, the state will see about 440 annual job openings in educational administration due to new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.
There may be no better time than now to consider pursuing the master’s, educational specialist, or doctorate degree that will prepare you to become an administrator in Colorado. Whether you have your sights set on becoming a principal or administrator, you’ll be met with exciting opportunities to take your career in education to a whole new level.
Colorado Christian University
College of Adult and Graduate Studies
Accreditation: HLC
Online
M.Ed in Educational Leadership
- Concentration: Licensure track, Non-licensure track
Regis University
Regis College, Division of Education
Accreditation: HLC
Hybrid
M.Ed in Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure
Also offers:
Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership Principal Licensure
University of Denver
Morgridge College of Education
Accreditation: HLC
Online, hybrid
MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- Includes Principal Licensure
Also offers:
Graduate Certificate and Principal Licensure in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Ph.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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.