Principal Certification

Spring 2025

This certification plan is designed specifically for the educator who has previously obtained a master’s degree in education and wishes to obtain Texas Principal as Instructional Leader certification.  It requires the completion of 18 credit hours of graduate credit coursework.  The program complies with existing standards for professional certification.  The study plan originates in the Department of Educational Leadership.

Financial Aid Note: The 18-credit hour certification-only program is not eligible for financial aid whereas the degree-seeking 30-credit hour M.Ed. in School Leadership candidate may be eligible for financial aid.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Fall 2024

This certification plan is designed specifically for the educator who has previously obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and wishes to obtain Principal Certification.  It requires the completion of 24 credit hours of graduate credit coursework.  The program complies with existing standards for professional certification.  The study plan originates in the Department of Educational Leadership.

Financial Aid Note: The 24-credit hour Principal Certification-only program is not eligible for financial aid whereas the degree-seeking 30-credit hour M.Ed. in School Leadership candidate may be eligible for financial aid.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Applicants seeking admission to the Principal Certification program must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

Spring 2025

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Application Fee
3. Pay the $35 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TEA 229.9.7)
4. Official transcript(s) from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution and the master's degree-granting institution, if applicable, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall or in the last 60 hours.
5. Copy of Teacher Service Record from your school district's Human Resource Department with two years of creditable teaching experience preferred; however, we will consider applicants with one year of certified teaching experience. (Applicant must be working at a Texas Education Agency accredited school.)
6. Copy of valid Teacher Certificate
7. School Leadership Statement
8. Written essay

University Application Deadlines: 
Fall:  August 1st 
Spring:  December 15th 
Summer:  May 15th

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

Financial Aid Note: The 18-credit hour Principal Certification-only program is not eligible for financial aid whereas the degree-seeking 30-credit hour M.Ed. in School Leadership candidate may be eligible for financial aid.

Fall 2024

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Application Fee
3. Pay the $35 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TEA 229.9.7)
4. Official Transcript from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher AND 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. Minimum scores required are listed in the table below.
5. Copy of Teacher Service Record from your school district's Human Resource Department with two years of creditable teaching experience preferred; however, we will consider applicants with one 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) 

¹

GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores are reported on a 130 to 170 scale.

²

GRE Analytical Writing scores are reported on a 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments.

Under these circumstances, the GRE may not be waived.

Application Deadlines:
Fall - July 1
Spring - Nov. 1
Summer - April 1

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

Financial Aid Note: The 24-credit hour Principal Certification-only program is not eligible for financial aid whereas the degree-seeking 30-credit hour M.Ed. in School Leadership candidate may be eligible for financial aid.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Spring 2025

¹

EDAD 6362 Principal Practicum/Internship is taken over two long semesters, fall and spring or spring and fall, (three hours each semester) and may be taken with one other course.

Fall 2024

¹

EDAD 6362 Principal Practicum/Internship is taken over two long semesters, fall and spring or spring and fall, (3 hours each semester) and may be taken with one other course.

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 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 Principal Certification is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• 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.
• Determine and support school improvement tasks.