Master of Education in School Leadership

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Master of Education in School Leadership is a thirty-hour program designed specifically for educators who wish to work towards Principal Certification. The program complies with existing standards for professional certification to produce proficient school administrators who are well educated in school leadership and administration; effective leadership strategies; campus business management; and federal, state, and local school regulations. Students in this program will also possess the skills necessary to evaluate programs for overall school improvement, improve instruction and curricula, and understand how diverse populations and special programs affect a school and its community. A comprehensive examination is required toward the end of the program coursework.  The study plan originates in the Department of Educational Leadership.

Applicants seeking admission to the M.Ed. in School Leadership must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Pay the $35 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7) if seeking Texas Principal certification
  4. Official transcript from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution with a GPA of 3.0 OR an official transcript from the master's degree granting institution with a GPA of a 3.5 or higher. If an applicant does not meet the minimum GPA expectations, official GRE scores must be submitted that meet the requirements. See table below.
  5. Copy of Teacher Service Record from your school district's Human Resource Department with 2 years of creditable teaching experience preferred; however, we will consider applicants with 1 year of certified teaching experience. Applicant must be working at a Texas Education Agency accredited school.
  6. Copy of valid Teacher Certificate
  7. Two recommendations, one from the school principal and one from an assistant principal
  8. Document of Intent
  9. Current Resume
  10. Interview Video

GRE revised General Test Score Bands to be used for Admission to an Educator Preparation Program under the 10% Exception Rule in 19 TAC §227.10(a)(3)(D)

Self-reported Undergraduate GPA GRE Verbal Reasoning1 GRE Quantitative Reasoning1 GRE Analytical Writing2
B-(2.7 GPA) 143-157 140-155 3.0-4.5

Under these circumstances, the GRE may not be waived.

Preferred Application Deadlines:

Fall - June 15
Spring - Oct. 15
Summer - March 15


Final Application Deadlines:
Fall - July 15
Spring - Nov. 15
Summer - April 15

Please, contact the Department of Educational Leadership for additional requirements by phone at (936) 294-1147.

Candidates have six years from the semester of the first course to complete program/degree requirements and state certification (e.g., pass exams).

The degree requires thirty hours of graduate coursework. A comprehensive examination is required toward the end of the program coursework.

Master of Education in School Leadership
EDAD 5332School Leadership3
EDAD 5372Fed-State-Local Sch Law3
EDAD 5386Spc Populations & Spc Programs3
EDAD 6310School Culture and Communication3
EDAD 6362Principal Practicum/Internship 16
EDAD 6370Campus Business Management3
EDAD 6371Role of Prin in School Admin3
EDAD 6378Instructional Supervision3
EDAD 6379Prog Eval For School Imprvmnt3
Total Hours30

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MEd in School Leadership is designed to provide graduates with the following School Leadership/Instructional Leader marketable skills to:

  • Build trusting relationships.
  • Use collaborative decision-making.
  • Support data-driven instruction (building capacity of teachers, staff, and students).
  • Practice ethical leadership.
  • Observe and provide TTESS-aligned feedback .
  • Lead effective professional development.