The Center for Administrator Preparation provides the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Program, a pathway for credentialed teachers and school counselors to learn the foundations of leadership in order to qualify for a position in educational administration.

The RCOE School of Education is proud to offer the largest and most comprehensive administrator preparation programs in the state of California.

Program Overview 

Our program is grounded in the California Administrator Performance Expectations (CAPEs), which describe what new administrators must know and be able to do as they become educational leaders. Integrated throughout PASC coursework are Kouzes’ and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership that will support candidates as they build credibility through: Modeling the Way, Inspiring a Shared Vision, Challenging the Process, Enabling Others to Act, and Encouraging the Heart. Although leadership will be studied from many perspectives, Kouzes’ and Posner’s model will provide a common language for candidates in understanding their personal leadership development.

Program Completion and Credential Recommendation

The Riverside County Office of Education’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Program is a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)-approved program. Candidates must successfully complete all required coursework, fieldwork, and assessments aligned with the California Administrator Performance Expectations (CAPEs) and the Administrative Services Credential Program Standards. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, candidates are eligible for recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for issuance of the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Only candidates who have completed all program standards and verification requirements are recommended to the Commission.

Program Benefits Include:

• A 16-month program format in which candidates attend PASC class sessions once a month, along with mandatory CalAPA workshops scheduled at intervals across all three CalAPA cycles. A Sample Schedule is available under Quick Links to illustrate the program flow, and cohort-specific schedules may be requested by contacting skassih@rcoe.us.

Candidates must successfully pass the CalAPA to earn their Certificate of Eligibility.

• Courses are 100% online with live instructors teaching through virtual formats.
• Developmentally sequenced courses and the opportunity to showcase learning through an online portfolio, observations, and a presentation at the conclusion of the program.
• A strong emphasis on ethics and equity through embedding in coursework the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEEs), and the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (CSPELs).
• Frequent networking opportunities with veteran and aspiring administrators across the state.
• Access to high quality instructors who serve or have served as principals, directors, assistant superintendents, and county office personnel.
• Support from program staff who have served on the CalAPA design team and who are CalAPA graders.

Program Fees

The cost to participate is $7,500 which includes the $500 deposit that is submitted with the online application. There are multiple payment options available to help candidates pay for the program; details can be found in the payment plan which is part of the online application.

Enrollment Deadlines:

The application deadline for fall PASC is June 30 for each program year. The fall PASC cohort begins in August of each program year.

The application deadline for spring PASC is November 30 for each program year. The spring PASC cohort begins in February of each program year.

The spring PASC application deadline has been extended to January 23, 2026.

*Note: If the program is at capacity for a cohort, prospective candidate applications will be considered for the upcoming enrollment period.