Professional Principal Certification
(Must hold valid Master's Degree)
Professional Principal’s Certificate
There are five requirements to obtain a Principal certificate through the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations:
- must hold a master's degree from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) (outside source) or the U.S. Department of Education Database for Accredited Colleges and Universities (outside source)
- hold a valid classroom teaching certificate
- have two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher
- successfully complete an approved principal educator preparation program
- successfully complete the required TExES Principal examination.
Professional Superintendent
There are four requirements to obtain a Superintendent certificate through the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations:
- must hold a master's degree from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (outside source) or the U.S. Department of Education Database for Accredited Colleges and Universities (outside source)
- hold a Principal certificate or the equivalent issued by the TEA, another state or country or,
- completed the superintendent certificate application (PDF, 314 KB) and been approved by the TEA to substitute managerial experience in lieu of a principal certificate
- one year of practical administrative experience
- successfully complete an approved superintendent educator preparation program (12 hours)
- successfully complete the required Texas Superintendent examination.
Principal Certification Redesign
Given the evolving role of the principal as an instructional leader and the needs of Texas schools and communities, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) adopted new principal standards in 2016. Informed by the expertise of practicing principals, principal preparation program faculty, and other educators and aligned with the Texas Principal Evaluation and Support System (T-PESS), the new standards emphasize the critical role of the school principal with an increased emphasis on instructional leadership.
With the implementation of the new standards, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) began working with principal preparation program faculty and practicing principals to develop a new test framework and new test instruments to certify Texas principals. The new instruments have been created to reflect the skills needed for beginning principals to be effective.
Principal certificate candidates can expect the following changes:
- All candidates will need to pass the new TExES Principal (268) and complete the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) to obtain a standard principal certification starting on 9/1/2019.
- Candidates who pass the TExES Principal (268) assessment by 8/31/2019 will be exempt from the PASL and will receive their standard certification with a passing score on the TExES Principal (268) test if they complete all other certification requirements (e.g., course work, practicum) by 8/31/2019 and apply and are recommended for certification by 10/30/2019.
- The TExES Principal (268) test will be offered for free to eligible candidates during the initial testing windows in December 2018 through February 2019. Eligible candidates include only those candidates who have never attempted the TExES Principal (68) test. Scores for the initial testing period will be reported in late June or early July 2019.
- The PASL will become available to candidates in fall of 2019.
- Given the timing of the changes above, it is recommended that all principal candidates entering programs on 1/1/2018 or later begin preparation for the TExES Principal (268) and PASL assessments.
How does this impact the current TExES Principal (068) test? - The TExES Principal (068) test will be available to first-time test takers through 12/31/2018 and for re-testers through 8/31/2019.
Program Standards for the Principalship
The Master’s degree with Principal certification and the Master’s degree with no certification is offered completely online. The program is designed to assist working professionals the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree without interrupting their work schedules. The programs in Educational Administration are designed to develop competent, caring, committed and culturally responsive educators and individuals who meet stated competencies. The Texas Principal Standards have been developed and utilized in our program in accordance with Chapter 149 of the Texas Administrative Code.1 The standards serve as a guide for improving school productivity, increasing student achievement, and continually reflecting upon and improving principal effectiveness as a leader throughout all career stages.
Standard 1--Instructional Leadership.
The principal is responsible for ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction.
Standard 2--Human Capital.
The principal is responsible for ensuring there are high-quality teachers and staff in every classroom and throughout the school.
Standard 3--Executive Leadership.
The principal is responsible for modeling a consistent focus on and commitment to improving student learning.
Standard 4--School Culture.
The principal is responsible for establishing and implementing a shared vision and culture of high expectations for all staff and students.
Standard 5--Strategic Operations.
The principal is responsible for implementing systems that align with the school's vision and improve the quality of instruction.
- 1
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §149.2001 issued under the Texas Education Code, §21.3541.
Source: The provisions of this §149.2001 adopted to be effective June 8, 2014, 39 TexReg 4245.
General Requirements
In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s requirements for admission, retention, examinations, candidacy and graduation as listed elsewhere, requirements for admission to the department include: submitting an online application which includes personal information and recommendations on forms provided by the Graduate School along with Graduate Record Examination scores taken within the last five (5) years.
- Submit evidence of holding the Standard Teacher Certificate and at least two years creditable classroom teaching experience for the administrator certificate programs if seeking a principal certificate.
- Complete requirements of the Department Screening Committee as approved by the Graduate School.
- File a degree and/or certificate plan with the faculty advisor and with the Graduate School Office.
- A Comprehensive Examination is administered to all students within six (6) hours of graduation. Eligibility to take the Comprehensive Examination, designed by the Educational Administration faculty, is determined by the advisor and the Department Chair. Passing the Comprehensive Examination with a minimum score of 70 is required for graduation.
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 24 | |
| Internship | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDAS 537 | Principles Of Educ Administrat | 3 |
| EDAS 541 | Curr Planning & Development | 3 |
| EDAS 675 | Leadership & Management of Ins | 3 |
| EDAS 836 | School Law | 3 |
| EDAS 800 | Schl Org, Leadership & Mgmt | 3 |
| EDAS 842 | Externship | 3 |
| EDAS 850 | Leadership & Campus Culture | 3 |
| EDAS 880 | Human Resources Lead & Mgmt | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Internship
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDAS 781 | Internship I | 3 |
| EDAS 782 | Internship II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Course substitutions may be made with the approval of the Department Chairman, the Dean of the College of Education, and Dean of the Graduate School on forms provided by the Graduate School Office.