The Path to Leadership Program (PTL) is owned and operated by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP). It is the state’s first and longest-running alternative route to earning a PK-12 administrator certificate, and it is fully approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The goal of PTL is to provide candidates with a PK-12 administrator certificate at an affordable cost and in a manageable time frame through a program developed by principals for principals.
We run roughly 7-8 cohorts a year, and we always have a cohort application open. Directly below you will see the cohort to apply to as well as at the bottom the calendar of the most recent active cohort.
Application Open
Cohort 96
Application Opens: October 20, 2026
Application Deadline: December 14, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
Mandatory Online Orientation: February 18, 2027
Cohort 96 Program Schedule
Path to Leadership includes eight online modules. Each module is approximately six weeks in length, with approximately one week between modules.
- Module 1 — Mastering Technology for Innovative Leadership
March 15–April 23, 2027 - Module 2 — Creating an Inclusive Culture and Environment for Learning
May 3- June 11, 2027 - Module 3 — Visionary Leadership for Educational Change and Improvement
July 21-July 30, 2027 - Module 4 — Elements and Evaluation of Highly Effective Instruction
August 9 – September 17, 2027 - Module 5 — Creating a Safe and Orderly Environment for Student Learning
September 27 – November 5, 2027 - Module 6 — Principles of Public School Law
November 15-December 24, 2027 - Module 7 — Facilitation of School Improvement
January 3 – February 11, 2028 - Module 8 — Human Resources and Finance
February 21-March 31, 2028
Current Active Cohort (95) Schedule
- Module 1: January 18-February 26, 2027
- Module 2: March 8-April 16, 2027
- Module 3: April 26-June 4, 2027
- Module 4: June 14-July 23, 2027
- Module 5: August 2 – September 10, 2027
- Module 6: September 20-October 29, 2027
- Module 7: November 8-December 17, 2027
- Module 8: December 27, 2027–February 4, 2028