What does it take to earn the PTC ‘Certificate of International School Leadership?

To earn the first 'Certificate of International School Leadership' you must complete four of the five ‘Essentials Skills’ courses within six years. Essential Skills courses are:

§         Creating and Administering an Effective School

§         Leadership and Group Dynamics

§         Curriculum and Resource Development

§         Instructional Supervision

§         Assessing Student Learning

Are there any requirements to be able to take the courses?

PTC requires that all those who take the courses are currently working as a professional in an international school, or have been appointed to a position in an international school in the upcoming year.  You do NOT need to be a principal, or in any leadership role, to takes courses. 

How many PTC courses can I take in one summer?

PTC recommends not more than two courses per summer. Courses are intense and last over a period of seven days.

What does it mean if I am placed on a waitlist?

All PTC courses have a capacity limit.  If courses reach capacity before the registration deadline and close, you will be placed on a waitlist.  Space only becomes available if a person who is currently enrolled in the course needs to withdraw.  In this case, we move to fill the spot from people who are on the waitlist.   Names are placed on the waitlist first come/first served by date of receiving registrations.  PTC members receive priority over non-members. No guarantee of space is given for people on the waitlist.

How long will it take to complete the requirements for the PTC’s 'Certificate of International School Leadership'?

Two summers is the minimum to complete four courses, taking two courses per summer.  Some opt to spread it out longer, taking one course per summer.  PTC courses now hold a limit of six (6) years before they would need to be re-taken towards completing a PTC certificate.

Is the PTC certificate equivalent to certification from other places?

The PTC certificate is recognition of preparation to be a principal in the international school setting.  Each international school is independent and has its own policies on teacher and leader certification. We suggest you check with your school or any prospective school to understand its certification requirements.  The PTC certificate has been in existence for 17 years and has proven to have excellent currency amongst international school heads who hire principals.

Will the PTC certificate guarantee me a job as a principal in an international school?

No.  But we can confirm that it has been a significant factor for many over the past 17 years in securing both their first principalship and subsequent positions.

What if a school requires principal certification from another source?

Many countries do not have an official process by which certification can be achieved. For citizens of many countries, international schools who require certified principals often recognize the PTC’s Certificate of International School Leadership.

US Principal certification is only possible for U.S. Citizens. Each U.S. State has its own requirements and they should be contacted directly.

Additionally, Canada also has its own principal certification process.  Consult the education authority in each province. The PTC is working out an arrangement with one or more Canadian entities so that Canadians taking PTC courses can be eligible for “credit’ towards whatever certification process they select in Canada.  More information will be posted when this arrangement is completed.

Can I apply PTC courses to a university degree?

Every PTC course can optionally be taken for 3 graduate credits (as they are known in the US).  Courses taken for credit may stand alone or be applied towards a master degree. Currently, two universities in the U.S. and one in the U.K. accept PTC courses towards credit with their own Masters programs.  Details about each university and their requirements can be found at http://www.theptc.org/institutes/ptcgradcredit.html    

Onsite during the PTC courses, representatives from the universities will be available for discussion about your degree program.  Once your have made a decision to apply your PTC courses for credit, a simple form the PTC provides you will need to be completed and returned to the PTC.  This form, accompanied the college credit payment ($450 per PTC course) must be submitted before the end of the course dates.

PTC participants who apply their course(s) for credit will be required to complete an additional assignment for a course grade.  This assignment will be submitted at the completion of the PTC course. The PTC office will submit a grade on the participant’s behalf to the appropriate university before September 1 and will inform the participant of the grade sent.  Participants who require a copy of transcripts will need to request this directly with the university after September.

How do I know if my school is a current PTC member?

The most updated list of PTC member schools can be found at http://www.theptc.org/memberships/currentmembers.html .  The PTC also publishes a member school listing on the PTC pages of The International Educator (TIE).

Where can I find the course fees?

Fees are listed on the website at http://www.theptc.org/institutes/registrationinfo.html  as well as on the registration form. All course fees “per course”.  There are options for courses with or without sleeping accommodation.  Fees which include sleeping accommodation provide six nights rooming with six breakfasts.

When does the schedule of course become available?

PTC posts the schedule by 1 December for the following year’s summer institutes.