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Preliminary Administrative Services Credential

The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) offers a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program (PASC) designed for full-time educators who are looking to earn an administrative credential to either deepen their current work or open up additional career opportunities in site- or district-based administration.

About the Program

PASC is committed to improving the leadership qualities of aspiring administrators serving all students by developing the capacity of leaders to be instructional leaders, systems thinkers, and equity-centered.

Program Overview – Tuition is $7,500

PASC is a 13-month accelerated program designed for full-time educators who are looking to earn an administrative credential. The program maintains a rigorous pace in order to conclude within that time. PASC begins in February and utilizes a  blended learning model where the majority of learning occurs in person on Tuesday evenings. Supplemental individual, group, online learning, and fieldwork are also components of this program, in addition to passing 3 cycles of the California Administrative Performance Assessment (Cal APA).

For more program information, please view the PASC SMCOE Handbook Cohort 11 (updated with each Cohort). 

PASC graduates will be able to...

  • Design systems for effective leadership
  • Develop instructional leadership and coaching to support student centered learning
  • Foster a climate of innovation and continuous improvement
  • Use data to inform and drive decisions
  • Analyze and synthesize current educational research
  • Collaborate, reflect, and lead with equity

Apply for PASC

Our next cohort (Cohort 11) begins January 2026. Apply now!

Please use this link to access the Cohort 11 Application.

We will review applications based on the following deadlines, and will respond within three weeks of the deadline by which you submit.
Round 1 Deadline: Friday September 19
Round 2 Deadline: Friday November 21

You will need the following when applying:

  • Letter of interest
  • Two letters of recommendation - one must be from a current supervisor
  • CTC Credential number
  • Completion of the PASC application questions

Eligibility Requirements

  • Will have completed five or more years of work with valid credential by the conclusion of the program.

    Possess one of the following valid credentials:

  • a Clear or Life California teaching credential that requires a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching or the equivalent, and holds an English learner authorization; or
  • a Clear of Life California designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, career technical education, vocational education or special subjects provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree and holds an English learner authorization; or
  • a Clear or Life California services credential in pupil personnel services, health services for school nurse, teacher librarian services, or speech-language pathology or clinical or rehabilitative services requiring a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including fieldwork or the equivalent.

  • Have satisfied the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). (Most applicants who hold a valid clear CA credential will have met the BSR. Candidates holding the following credentials must confer elementary, standard secondary, designated subjects or Career Technical Education credentials.)

    Complete a full application and submit by PASC application deadline.

Commitment

  • One-year accelerated program meeting weekly on Tuesdays at SMCOE (4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
  • Program requirements include coursework, integrated online learning, field experience, and completion of performance assessment consisting of three leadership cycles, Cal APA
  • Administrative fieldwork for job-embedded experiences
  • Completion of assignments to demonstrate mastery of California Performance and Content Expectations for Administrators
  • Complete all three cycles of CalAPA (California Administrator Performance Assessment) meeting state established deadlines

PASC Course Schedule

See Cohort 11 Calendar Draft for the draft PASC accelerated program schedule.

Interested in Teaching?

Instructors must hold a clear administrative credential, minimum of 5 years administrative experience as a site, district, or program administrator, and expertise in related fields. Interested applicants may contact the Coordinator and send your resume and letter of intent.