Principal Certification

The accelerated online Texas Principal as Instructional Leader certification program focuses on the skills required for campus-level and central office administration. We help prepare candidates for the Texas Examination of Education Standards for principal certification.

How it Works

• The 21-hour Principal as Instructional Leader program requires seven Educational Leadership courses
• Five available start dates annually: January, March, June, August and October
• Earn a Principal as Instructional Leader certification in 12 months

 

 

 

For step-by-step instruction on the Graduate Admission application process, please visit the Graduate Admissions website: https://tgs.unt.edu/future-students/graduate-admissions/index.html

Applicants should have the following:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Courses and the candidate’s performance in that degree are reviewed.
• A previous master’s degree GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• At least one year of teaching experience and the ability to complete a second year of teaching experience by the end of the certification process.
• A standard teaching certificate.
• Ability to complete a two-semester practicum in an accredited, Texas Prek-12, brick-and-mortar (not fully online) school. The practicum courses are not 8-week courses. They are offered during the 16-week fall and spring semesters.
• Applicants should submit the following documents electronically to the College of Education at Marilyn.Deuble@unt.edu for admittance to the accelerated online principal certification program:
  • A letter of recommendation from your supervisor identifying your leadership, critical thinking and writing skills.
  • An essay describing why you're seeking a principal certification, identifying relevant educational experiences and strengths, and providing evidence that you will be a successful educational leader in an increasingly multicultural environment.
  • A resume that includes your previous work and educational experience.
  • A copy of your standard teaching certificate
  • Program Application - please submit request for application to Marilyn.Deuble@unt.edu

• A GRE score is not required unless your GPA is below 2.5. A new rule from the Texas Education Agency states, “An applicant who does not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 and is seeking Principal as Instructional Leader certification must perform at or above a score equivalent to a 2.5 GPA on the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytic Writing sections of the GRE® (Graduate Record Examinations) revised General Test.”

Required Courses

• 5330 Instructional Leadership
• 5390 Campus Level School Law
• 5620 Administration and Leadership for Student Educational Services
• 5630 Organizational Change and School Improvement
• 5650 Professional Development and Supervision
• 5720 Practicum in Educational Leadership (full semester)
• 5730 Advanced Practicum in Educational Leadership (full semester)

Transfer Credits

Subject to the approval of the department advisor and the Toulouse Graduate School, up to 6 semester hours of graduate work completed elsewhere may be applied.

Teaching History and Certification Requirements:

I understand that I must have a Teaching Certificate and at least two years of teaching experience in an EC-12 accredited school as the teacher of record in order to earn a Principal as Instructional Leader. (Student teaching, substitute teaching, or university teaching cannot be applied toward these two years). I understand I must submit a copy of my Teacher Service Record to the College of Education’s Certification Officer to verify the state’s minimum required classroom teaching experience has been met. If I qualify for the principal certificate, I understand I must two-semester practicum in an accredited Texas school with a supervisor who holds an administrative certificate.

Estimate tuition and fees by using the Tuition Calculators. For more information about tuition plan options, fees, and tuition, see Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid

UNT offers a variety of options to help finance your education. Visit financialaid.unt.edu to find out more about the application and award process.

UNT has been named one of America's 100 Best College Buys© for 25 consecutive years and offers the quality of a private university at an affordable cost.

Applying for financial aid

1. Apply for financial aid online at fafsa.gov. The application is required for all types of financial aid, including Pell and other federal grants, state grants and loans. The FAFSA and Renewal FAFSA are available annually.
2. You must enroll in 6 hours (over one or two online sessions) in order to be eligible for financial aid.
3. Financial aid awards will be disbursed 10 days prior to the first day of class. Awards will not disburse if you are enrolled in only 3 credit hours.
4. Contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 940-565-2302 or by visiting online at financialaid.unt.edu

Visit the Registrar's website for more information on course registration dates and payment deadlines.