Alaska supports early childhood leadership through its state-wide QRIS, public pre-K program, and principal licensure. Directors of licensed programs are required to complete 24 clock hours of professional development annually, but are not required to have college credit in early childhood education/child development or program administration. Alaska offers a competency based early childhood administrator credential (ECAC I), but it does not require a degree or any college credit in early childhood/child development or program administration. Principals must have a graduate degree and three years teaching experience. A principal endorsement is required of school-based pre-K programs. There are three principal preparation programs offered at two universities, but no early childhood leadership degree programs.
