Alaska · Career guide
How to become a Principal in Alaska
Principals manage a school's instruction, operations, staff, family engagement, and student safety. The role typically requires 3-5 years of classroom teaching, a master's degree in educational leadership, completion of a state-approved principal preparation program, and passage of a state administrator licensure exam. Salaries materially exceed classroom-teacher pay (often by 40-70%) but the hours and accountability are correspondingly higher.
No principal / school leadership positions are open in Alaska right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Alaska
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution plus completion of an approved teacher-preparation program. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Alaska typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
- Alaska Studies and Multicultural Education courses — Required state-specific coursework (3 semester credits each) for all initial certificates
Principal / administrator licensure is a distinct tier with its own preparation program and exam. Some states require an internship under a sitting principal as part of certification.
- Apply for your initial license through Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) →
- Job-search in Alaska. We'll track principal / school leadership openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Alaska
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Alaska offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Type M Limited Teacher Certificate: Issued to candidates with demonstrated expertise in shortage areas (CTE, special education, rural placements)
- Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification (ARTC): University-affiliated programs that allow candidates to teach under a provisional certificate while completing pedagogy coursework
- Type C Special Services Certificate for school counselors, psychologists, and related specialists
- Teach For America (active in rural Alaska placements)
Alaska salary context
Average teacher salary in Alaska: $73,722/year (rank #11 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $48,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Alaska salary guide for the breakdown.