Principal, Certificate

• Offered fully online – 24 SCH, that provides a flexible learning experience tailored for working professionals.  

• The program prepares students for leadership roles in PK–12 settings and includes preparation for the Texas principal certification exams. 

• Obtain T-TTESS and AEL certifications through coursework. 

• Develop strong instructional leadership practices that equip students to lead schools through data-informed decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving to address real-world challenges.  

• Design and implement evidence-based practices that improve instructional quality, foster student achievement, and support continuous school improvement. 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Principal standards.   

• Master’s degree from a university accredited by an agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; 

• Hold a teacher certificate issued by the TEA or the equivalent issued by another state or country. (Note: By the point of seeking certification, the candidate must have two complete years of teaching experience.) 

• Graduate GPA of 3.0 or greater; or *Conditional Admission as above, and 

• MUST have provided a signature where appropriate and uploaded all TEA required documents into the Apply Texas portal, including: 

• The TEA Educator Code of Ethics, 

• FERPA document, 

• PCH (Preliminary Criminal History), and 

• Educator Service Record. 

• Candidate acknowledges that ultimate certification is contingent upon submission of these documents, AND, ADDITIONALLY, 

• Submission of a TEA technology fee of $35 is required upon acceptance of program participation. 

• Commitment from a certified principal to support the candidate is completed during the practicum experience. 

• a passing score on the appropriate exams – TExES 268 – Principal as Instructional Leader and Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL 368)

Note: The Educator Service Record may need to be updated at the point of certification if the individual entered the program with less than two years of service.  

• 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. 

• Competency 001: The entry-level principal knows how to establish and implement a shared vision and culture of high expectations for all stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community). 

• Competency 002: The entry-level principal knows how to work with stakeholders as key partners to support student learning. 

• Competency 003: The entry-level principal knows how to collaboratively develop and implement high-quality instruction. 

• Competency 004: The entry-level principal knows how to monitor and assess classroom instruction to promote teacher effectiveness and student achievement. 

• Competency 005: The entry-level principal knows how to provide feedback, coaching, and professional development to staff through evaluation and supervision, knows how to reflect on his/her own practice, and strives to grow professionally. 

• Competency 006: The entry-level principal knows how to promote high-quality teaching by using selection, placement, and retention practices to promote teacher excellence and growth. 

• Competency 007: The entry-level principal knows how to develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including selecting appropriate communication strategies for particular audiences. 

• Competency 008: The entry-level principal knows how to focus on improving student outcomes through organizational collaboration, resiliency, and change management. 

• Competency 009: The entry-level principal knows how to collaboratively determine goals and implement strategies aligned with the school vision that support teacher effectiveness and positive student outcomes. 

• Competency 010: The entry-level principal knows how to provide administrative leadership through resource management, policy implementation, and coordination of school operations and programs to ensure a safe learning environment. 

• Competency 011: The entry-level principal knows how to provide ethical leadership by advocating for children and ensuring student access to effective educators, programs, and services.