*Note: You will be receiving an email with information regarding mandatory orientation once you are accepted to the program.
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program
The Center for Administrator Preparation provides the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Program, designed for credentialed educators seeking to develop the foundational knowledge and skills required for educational leadership. The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE), School of Education, proudly offers one of the largest and most comprehensive administrator preparation programs in California.
Riverside County Office of Education offers two pathways to earn the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
• Traditional Pathway
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). Candidates who have not obtained a qualifying administrative position at the time of program completion are recommended for the Certificate of Eligibility, which authorizes the individual to seek employment in an administrative position and does not expire. Candidates who have obtained a qualifying administrative position by the time of program completion are recommended for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Recommendation for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential requires verification of administrative employment, which is documented through submission of the CL-777 form. Only candidates who have met all program standards and completed all required verification processes 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.
Successful completion of the California Administrator Performance Assessment (CalAPA) is required for recommendation for the Certificate of Eligibility or the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, contingent upon verification of the candidate’s administrative employment status at the time of program completion.
- 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 total cost of the Traditional PASC program is $8,000, which includes a $500 deposit submitted with the online application. Multiple payment plan options are available; details are outlined in the payment plan included with the application materials.
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.
*Note: If the program is at capacity for a cohort, prospective candidate applications will be considered for the upcoming enrollment period.
Eligibility: Traditional Pathway
To enroll in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Program through the Traditional Pathway, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Candidates must possess one of the following:
• A valid, clear, or life California teaching credential requiring a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching or the equivalent, and hold an English learner authorization; or
• A valid, clear, or life California-designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, career technical education, vocational education, or special subjects, provided the holder also possesses a baccalaureate degree and an English learner authorization; or
• A valid, clear, or life California services credential in pupil personnel services, health services for the school nurse, teacher librarian services, speech-language pathology, or clinical or rehabilitative services requiring a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including fieldwork 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
In addition, candidates must:
• Satisfy the California Basic Skills Requirement prior to admission to the program. The requirement must be verified through one of the Commission-approved methods.
• Complete five (5) years of successful, full-time experience in a public school, non-public school, or private school of equivalent status located in California or another state, or a combination of experience earned in California and another state. This experience may be teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical or rehabilitative services, or a combination of teaching and school services equal to five years. Substitute and part-time services do not apply. Verification of experience must be on the district or employing agency letterhead and signed by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of personnel, or director of human resources. School or district personnel other than the applicant must verify all experience.
• Candidates must provide verification of five (5) years of successful, full-time experience prior to recommendation for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential.
The RCOE School of Education is seeking to partner with California districts interested in growing their own administrative leaders and diversifying the leadership pipeline through our foundational 16-month PASC program.
If you are interested in learning more, view the Leadership Hub flyer.
The Center for Administrator Preparation PASC Program can provide charter school emerging and practicing leaders with rigorous training in instructional leadership systems and school management. If you are interested in learning more, view the flyer for Charter School Employees (PDF).
If you have any questions about the PASC Program, please fill out the interest form so that you can be contacted quickly by the Outreach Team.
Continuing Education Units Options
Candidates completing the PASC program have two options for earning CEUs.
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Program offered through the University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education.
If you have any questions about the PASC Program or PASC Intern Pathway, please fill out the interest form so that you can be contacted quickly by the Outreach Team.