School of Education | Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (ELC) | Principal Preparation for Excellence and Equity in Rural Schools (PPEERS) | PPEERS Guide and Schedule

PPEERS Guide and Schedule

PPEERS is a two-year, 42-credit-hour Master of School Administration program. Participants complete ten courses, a 12-credit practicum in educational administration, leadership development experiences, and an 11-month full-time administrative internship.

Programs at a Glance
Cohort 6 Schedule
Curriculum
Program Experience
Recruitment
District Partners

Cohort 6 Schedule 2026-2028

This guide includes the Cohort 6 schedule. Dates, locations, and times are subject to change; current participants should use Canvas and program communications for the most current information.

DATEEVENTNOTES
1/30Stage 1: District Applications dueEach district will collect applications for review and selection.
2/20District selections due to UNCGDistricts notify candidates regarding progression to Stage 2 of the application process.
3/13Stage 2: UNC Greensboro Application dueThose applicants chosen by the district to proceed to Stage 2 must apply to UNCG Graduate School.
3/14PPEERS Interview Day
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.		Stage 2 applicants will participate in an Interview Day to assess for acceptance into the Program.
  4/13Final PPEERS Cohort SelectionCohort selection will be agreed upon by district leaders and the PPEERS Leadership Team. UNCG will notify each candidate about selection decisions.
*Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Avenue, Browns Summit, NC 27214

DATEEVENTNOTES
7/21 – 7/24PPEERS Boot Camp
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		PPEERS Participants will attend an extended orientation where they will meet PPEERS faculty, establish Canvas and UNCG email accounts, bond as a cohort and begin rigorous learning experiences. Expect summer readings prior to Boot Camp.
8/18 – 12/2Fall Courses
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus location*
Time: Every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.		ELC 688: Leadership of Rural Schools (3 credits)
ELC 694: Cultural and Political Dimensions of Schooling (3 credits)
ELC 690: Practicum in Educational Administration (3 credits)
9/19Saturday Seminar #1
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		Topic TBD
10/13NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
10/3Saturday Seminar #2  
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		Topic TBD
1/13Advisory Board Meeting
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.		Lunch will be provided. (Selected Interns will represent the cohort at this event.)
*Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Avenue, Browns Summit, NC 27214

DATEEVENTNOTES
1/12– 5/4Spring Courses
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: Every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.		ELC 660: The School Principalship (3 credits)
ELC 670: Leadership for Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
ELC 690: Practicum in Educational Administration (3 credits)
2/7Saturday Seminar #3
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm		Topic TBD
3/6Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am– 4:00 pm		Topic TBD
3/8 – 3/12NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK Saturday Seminar #4
4/28 & 4/29Performance Learning Day – Lite
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus *
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.		PPEERS Interns will undergo a “Day in the Life of a Principal” event where they will participate in multiple simulations to prepare for school leadership. This is the LITE version of the 2 scheduled Performance Learning Days during year two of the PPEERS Program.
5/12 – 7/22Summer Courses
Location: ONLINE Time: Every Tuesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. unless professor changes times/days of the week		ELC 616: Culturally Responsive Leadership (3 credits) ELC 687: Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Leadership
6/22 – 6/25Summer Institute
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		PPEERS Principal Interns will embark on a four-day journey during which they will participate in assessments to understand what kind of leaders they are as they leave the classroom and enter administration.
6/27Advisory Board Meeting
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus *
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.		Lunch will be provided. (Selected Interns will represent the cohort at this event.)
*Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Avenue, Browns Summit, NC 27214

DATEEVENTNOTES
7/26 – 7/29Internship Bootcamp
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		PPEERS Principal Interns will get ready for the PPEERS 11- month, full-time internship.
7/29Internship Orientation
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.		District Point Persons, Mentor Principals, and PPEERS Interns will learn about their roles and what is expected during the 11-month, full-time internship.
8/2/27 – 6/30/2811-Month Administrative Internship
Location: Internship School in sponsorship District
Time: TBD		PPEERS Interns will begin their 11-month Internship at their Internship School.
8/10 – 12/7Fall Courses  
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: Every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.		ELC 684: Teacher Rights, Recruitment, Retention, and Evaluation (3 credits)
ELC 675: Schools as Centers of Inquiry (3 credits)
ELC 690: Practicum in Educational Administration (3
8/27
5/28		Internship Seminars
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus* and district locations.
Time: Thursdays 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.		Interns will be out of their Internship sites every Thursday for Internship Seminars and other enrichment experiences.
  9/25Saturday Seminar #5
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm		Topic TBD
TBD  Mentor Principal Session
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm .		This is the first of three Mentor Principal Sessions to support Mentor Principals throughout the internship period. We will answer questions and share experiences and tips for mentoring interns. Lunch will be provided. Interns do not attend these sessions.
10/12NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
10/13 – 10/15Fall Study Tour
Location: TBD
Time: TBD		Cohort will engage in a three-day, overnight experience visiting high performing, high needs rural schools in NC. Transportation and lodging will be provided by the PPEERS Program.
10/23Saturday Seminar #6  
Location: TBD *
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm		Topic: TBD
TBDMentor Principal Session
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.		This is the second of three Mentor Principal Sessions to support Mentor Principals throughout the internship period. We will introduce the assessment instrument, answer questions, and share experiences and tips for mentoring interns. Lunch will be provided. Interns do not attend these sessions.
11/17Formative Assessment #1 dueMentor Principals will complete the first Formative Assessment of Interns. Principal Interns will submit the completed and signed Formative Assessment #1 to UNCG Internship Supervisor.
12/3 – 12/17Mid-Internship Conferences
Location: Individual Internship Schools
Time: TBD based on availability of Mentor Principal and Principal Intern		Each of the PPEERS Interns will schedule and host a mid-internship virtual conference where they will invite their Mentor Principal, Internship Supervisor, Leadership Coach, and District Point Person to discuss progress in their internship thus far and identify focus areas for 2nd semester.
12/1 – 12/2Performance Learning Day
*Inclement Weather Makeup Dates 12/10-12/11		Each of the PPEERS Interns will schedule and host a mid-internship virtual conference where they will invite their Mentor Principal, Internship Supervisor, Leadership Coach, and District Point Person to discuss progress in their internship thus far and identify focus areas for 2nd semester.
*Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Avenue, Browns Summit, NC 27214

DATEEVENTNOTES
1/11 –   5/2Spring Courses
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: Every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.		ELC 673: Principal Leadership in Special Education (3 credits)
ELC 688: Applications of Instructional Leadership (3 credits)
ELC 690: Practicum in Educational Administration (3 credits)
1/22Saturday Seminar #7
Location: TBD*
Time: 8:00 – 4:00 pm.		Topic TBD
TBDMentor Principal Session
Location: ONLINE via Teams
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm.		This is the last of three Mentor Principal Sessions to support Mentor Principals, introduce the summative evaluation instrument, answer questions, and share experiences and tips for mentoring interns. Interns do not attend this session.
2/16  Formative Assessment #2 dueMentor Principals will complete the second Formative Assessment of Interns. Principal Interns will submit the completed and signed Formative Assessment #2 to UNCG Internship.
2/24
Mock Interview Day  
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 5:00 – 8:30 pm.
*Inclement Weather Makeup Date 3/5
PPEERS Interns will have the opportunity to practice interviewing skills in mock interviews with practitioners as interviewers in order to be competitive candidates for school administration positions.
3/6 – 3/10
    		NO CLASSES – SPRING BREAK
3/25
Saturday Seminar #8
Location: TBD*
Time: 8:00 – 4:00 pm.		Topic TBD
4/5
Summative Assessment dueMentor Principals will complete the Summative Assessment of Principal Interns by 4/5/28. Principal Interns will submit completed and signed Summative Assessment to their UNCG Internship Supervisor.
5/4GraduationAll PPEERS Principal Interns will be conferred and will walk during the May graduation ceremony.
6/15Advisory Board Meeting
Location: UNC Greensboro – North Campus*
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Lunch will be provided.
6/26 – 6/28Summer Institute
Location: TBD*
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
PPEERS Interns will embark on a three-day journey during which they will again assess themselves to understand what kind of leaders they have become over the course of the program and prepare for successful school leadership.
6/29PPEERS Showcase and Celebration!
Location: UNC Greensboro – Main Campus, Alumni House
Time: 5:30 – 8:00 pm.		Following the last day of Summer Institute, a celebration of completion will be held. Dinner will be provided.
*Gateway University Research Park, 5900 Summit Avenue, Browns Summit, NC 27214

Curriculum

ELC 616 Culturally Responsive Leadership – 3 credits

Theories of and strategies related to culturally responsive leadership that will prepare K-12 school leaders to develop effective and equitable, multicultural school communities.

ELC 660 The School Principalship – 3 credits

For prospective principals. Functions in organizing people to meet educational goals, leadership in instruction, supervision, curriculum design and development, personnel administration, and ethical and legal responsibilities.

ELC 670 Leadership for Teaching and Learning – 3 credits

Examines conceptions of “good” schools and the nature of instruction, curriculum, assessment, and professional development. Explores leadership, change, and school renewal that works toward good schooling and pedagogy.

ELC 673 Principal Leadership for Special Education – 3 credits

Strategies school principals can use to advocate and implement programs for exceptional children that are effective for students and compliant with legal requirements.

ELC 675 Schools as Centers of Inquiry – 3 credits

Effective schools function as professional learning communities characterized by a culture of inquiry and collaboration. Builds the skills of students in facilitating individual and whole school inquiry.

ELC 684 Teacher Rights, Recruitment, Retention, and Evaluation – 3 credits

Processes and systems to recruit, induct, support, evaluate, develop, and retain a high-quality staff. Legal and ethical reasoning systems influencing school administrators with regard to teachers’ legal rights.

The constitutional and statutory precedents and principles underlying the roles of federal, state, and local governments in public education. Recent court decisions relating to public education; development of awareness of freedoms and constraints of law and ability to implement and apply the intention of law and court decisions to practical problems of school administration.

ELC 688 Rural School Leadership – 3 credits

Complexity and nuances of leadership within the context of the rural principalship. Principal leadership in rural settings. Contextualize the principal role and develop a conceptual framework for a rural school principal aligning to North Carolina Standards for School Executives.

ELC 688 Applications of Instructional Leadership – 3 credits

Deep dives into and applies five key aspects of instructional leadership: inquiry and action

research; pedagogical content knowledge; instructional supervision; professional learning communities as centers of professional learning and change; and effective and ethical use of data.

ELC 694 Cultural and Political Dimensions of Schooling – 3 credits

Structures and processes of school governance, including the impacts of district, state and Federal policies, and influence of special interest groups. Attention to policy development, advocacy, implementation, analysis, and critique.

ELC 690: Practicum in Educational Administration — 12 credits

Planned administrative functions in appropriate school settings with the objective of providing direct experience with processes and functions of educational administration. Supervision is shared responsibility of university and public-school faculties. *Students will take this course across 4 semesters for a total of 12 credit hours.

Participant Commitments and Funding

Participant Assurances

  • Sign a Promissory Note with the State Education Assistance Authority committing to serving as a school administrator in a NC public school for four years (or two years at a high-needs school) within six years of program completion.
  • Participant holds a teaching license in North Carolina and holds at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
  • Participant will actively participate in and apply learning during the required 42 credit hour (10 courses and a 12-credit internship) program of rigorous UNCG coursework, earning a Masters of School Administration (MSA) degree and initial principal licensure;
  • Participant will engage in Boot Camp in July and Internship Boot Camp
  • Participant will engage in intensive week-long Summer Institutes in June
  • Participant will take part in all PPEERS enrichment activities, including two Saturday Seminars each semester of the program
  • Participant will actively participate in the Study Tour, Performance Learning Days, Mid-Internship Conference, and Mock Interviews as scheduled
  • Participant will fully participate in the comprehensive, 11-month, full-time paid clinical internship August 1 – June 30 at assigned school and attend bi-weekly Thursday seminars during the internship.
  • Participants will collaboratively work with Mentor Principal, Internship Supervisor, and Leadership Coach, enacting feedback to grow and develop in school-based leadership;

Program at a Glance

Summer 2026


Program Orientation and Boot Camp

Fall 2026

3 Courses, including Fieldwork
2 Saturday Seminars
9 credit hours

Spring 2027

Introduction and Relationship-Building with Leadership Coaches

3 Courses, including Fieldwork
2 Saturday Seminars
Performance Learning Day-Lite
9 credit hours

Summer 2027

Introduction and Relationship-Building with Leadership Coaches

2 Courses (Online)
Summer Institute 1
Internship Boot Camp and orientation

Fall 2027

Introduction and Relationship-Building with Leadership Coaches

3 Courses including internship
Overnight Fall Study Tour
2 Saturday Seminars
Bi-weekly Internship Seminars
Performance Learning Day

*11-month, full-time internship begins (paid for 10 months).
Summer stipend payments in 2027-2028

Spring 2028

Internship with Leadership Coaching and University Supervisors

3 Courses including internship
Switch experience
2 Saturday Seminars
Bi-weekly Internship Seminars
Mock Interviews

Summer 2028

Internship with Leadership Coaching and University Supervisors

Graduation!
Complete PPEERS June 2028 *with MSA and Licensure
Summer Institute 2

Program Experience

11-Month Full-Time Internship

During the second year, participants complete an 11-month, full-time administrative internship in a high-needs rural school within a sponsoring district. The internship connects coursework with the day-to-day work of school leadership and provides sustained, school-based experience.

Leadership Coaching

Participants receive twice-monthly, non-evaluative coaching throughout the internship. Leadership coaches provide feedback, support reflection, help participants work through challenges, and encourage progress toward individual leadership goals.

Special-Topic Seminars

Saturday seminars and summer learning experiences allow participants to explore issues central to rural school leadership. Topics build on coursework and provide time for deeper learning, discussion, and practical application.

Applying to PPEERS

The application process is open to all interested participants who meet the selection requirements, characteristics, and assurances, and submit all application materials as outlined. Each partnering district has a limited number of openings; as a result, the selection of participants is a competitive process.

How recruitment works

PPEERS uses a two-stage selection process:

  1. District Application – Due 1/30
    Applicants first apply through their participating school district. PPEERS candidates who are selected by the District Selection Committee will move to Stage 2.  Notifications will be made on or before 2/20 by the District Selection Committee.
    • Application & Current Résumé
    • 3 confidential Letters of Support forms, one of which must be from your current supervisor (grade-level chair, peer, community member, etc.)
    • 3 to 5 page personal statement that reflects commitment to education, experience with instructional leadership and data use, and commitment to being a change agent focused on fairness and inclusiveness
    • Panel interview or video-recording (recording no longer than 6 minutes) of applicant responding to a district leadership scenario or a case study selected by the district selection team from the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership.
  2. UNCG application and interview
    Candidates selected by their district complete the UNCG Graduate School application and participate in an interview process. Final decisions will be made by UNC Greensboro in collaboration and agreement with each partner district on 4/13.
    • Formal Application to the UNCG Graduate School, which requires: 1) transcripts; 2) three recommendations (can be the same from stage 1); 3) current resume and 4) a written essay in response to a prompt.
    • Attend Interview Day at UNCG on 3/14.

What strong candidates bring

  • Successful teaching experience and strong instructional practice
  • A commitment to rural schools, equitable access, and student success
  • Experience using data to improve teaching and learning
  • Skill in building relationships, collaborating with others, and supporting colleagues’ growth
  • Resilience, a growth mindset, and a solution-focused approach to challenges
  • A commitment to serving their sponsoring district and community

Questions about applying?

Contact your district point person or the PPEERS team.

District Partners

For additional questions, please contact your District Point Person.