Superintendent Certification

The Superintendent Certification program at Sam Houston State University is a professional certification program designed to prepare students for careers as school district superintendents in Texas. The program focuses on factual knowledge and theory, as well as practicum field experiences, to develop student knowledge and skills.

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

Candidates seeking admission to the graduate programs in Superintendent Certification must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Admissions specified in the Admission section of this catalog.

Spring 2025

Admissions Requirements

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 Superintendent certification
4. Official transcript from the master's degree granting institution with a GPA of a 3.0 or higher.
5. Copy of SBEC issued standard Principal or Mid-Management and teacher certification
6. One reference from current or previous supervisor in a school or agency where the applicant has been employed
7. 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 creditable teaching experience. (Applicant must be working at a Texas Education Agency recognized school.
8. Leadership Statement
9. Written Essay

Submit all applications materials to Graduate Admissions. Electronic transcripts are accepted as official if sent to graduate@shsu.edu directly from your university or institution.

Fall 2024

Admissions Requirements

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 Superintendent certification
4. 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 SBEC issued standard Principal or Mid-Management and teacher certification
6. One reference from current or previous supervisor in a school or agency where the applicant has been employed
7. 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 creditable teaching experience. (Applicant must be working at a Texas Education Agency recognized school.
8. Interview

Submit all applications materials to Graduate Admissions. Electronic transcripts are accepted as official if sent to graduate@shsu.edu directly from your university or institution.

Note: Applicants selected after initial screening will be invited for an interview.

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.

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

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

• Collaborative leadership.
• Transparent communication.
• Inclusive decision making.
• Systems thinking orientation.