Principal Credential

Specific Degree Requirements:

Students must complete an Online Graduate School Application found on the Office of Graduate Studies Program Page.

Admission Requirements for Students With a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership

1. Students who are working on their Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration from the Department of Educational Leadership and want to pursue the Principal Credential must apply to the Department for admission the semester they will graduate. Students working on a master’s degree are not automatically admitted to the principal certification program. Students interested in being admitted to the principal program summer 2009 must apply through the Graduate Studies website and get all documentation to the department by February 1, 2009. Students will be notified by March 1, 2009 if admitted.  Students interested in being admitted to the principal program fall 2009 semester must apply through the UTPA Graduate Studies website and get all documentation to the department by June 15, 2009. Students will be notified by July 15, 2009 if admitted.

Students will take 2 courses (EDUL 6338 & EDUL 6393) and the internship, EDUL 6398. The courses are offered in the fall, spring, or summer; the internship is only offered in the fall and spring semester. Students must have a graduate 3.0 GPA or above and have completed two years of teaching experience to be considered. Student must submit:
1.   An application form submitted on-line through the Office of Graduate Studies
2.   Official transcripts of all graduate work.
3.   Three artifacts of demonstrated leadership during the past two years
4.   A photocopy of current teacher certificate
5.   A photocopy of the teacher service record
( Items 2-5 are to be submitted to the Department Office in Room 1.514.)

Admission Requirements for Students With a Master's Degree in a Related Area

2. Students who have a Master’s Degree in a related area such as Bilingual Education, Reading &  Counseling, or other related areas are also eligible to apply for the Principal’s Credential Program. Students interested in being admitted to the principal program summer 2009 must apply through the Graduate Studies website and get all documentation to the department by April 17, 2009 . Students will be notified by May 1, 2009 if admitted.  Students interested in being admitted to the principal program fall 2009 semester must apply through the UTPA Graduate Studies website and get all documentation to the department by August 1, 2009. Students will be notified by August 20, 2009 if admitted.
   The Principal Credential Program consists of 5 courses and an internship. There are two Options to acquire the Principal Credential Program. Each option has its set of criteria:
   Option 1. In the Principal Credential Program, the 5 courses and the internship are taken in the traditional setting either in the fall or spring semester.
   For Principal Credential Program (the 5 courses and the internship are taken in the fall or spring semester), students must have a graduate 3.0 GPA or above and have completed two years of teaching experience to be considered. Student must submit:
   1.   An application form submitted on-line through the Office of Graduate Studies
   2.   Official transcripts of all graduate work.
   3.   Three artifacts of demonstrated leadership during the past two years
   4.   A photocopy of current teacher certificate
   5.   A photocopy of the teacher service record
   6.   Applicants will be interviewed in June 2009 for Fall 2009 Semester
   (Items 2-5 are to be submitted to the Department Office in Room 1.514.)
   Option 2. In the Accelerated Summer Principal Credential Program, the 5 courses are taken in the summer over 5 weeks and the internship is taken the following fall or spring semester. Each course meets every day, Monday through Friday from 8-5pm.
   Students must have a graduate 3.5 GPA or above and must also have at least 5 years of teaching experience and/or a combined professional experience in public schools to be considered. Preference will be given to applicants with a 3.75 GPA or above. Students must submit:
   
   1.   An application form submitted on-line through the Office of Graduate Studies
   2.   Official transcripts of all graduate work.
   3.   Three artifacts of demonstrated leadership during the past two years
   4.   A photocopy of current teacher certificate
   5.   A photocopy of the teacher service record
   6.   Letter from a supervisor/principal indicating the applicant has potential for participating in the intensive summer program (only for summer program)
   7.   Applicants will be interviewed in March 2009 for the summer 2009 program and in June 2009 for the fall 2009 semester through a Principal Assessment Center. Applicants will be contacted of the date after submitting required items.
   
   (Items 2-6 are to be submitted to the Department Office in Room 1.514.)

Program Description

EDUL 6338          The School Principalship
EDUL 6393          Administration of School Staff Personnel
EDUL 6398          Internship for Principalship

EDUL 6330 **     Principles of Public School Leadership
EDUL 6331 **     Curriculum and Instructional Leadership
EDUL 6332 **     Instructional Support Programs and the Law
EDUL 6393 **     Administration of School Staff Personnel
EDUL 6338 **     The School Principalship
EDUL 6398         Internship for Principalship

** Core Courses

Summer Programs

The Department will offer a full complement of day and night courses during the summer terms.

Please Note:  The Department of Educational Leadership does not follow the same summer schedule as the University.  Typically SummerI begins on or about June 1 and ends on or about June 30.  Summer II begins on or about July 1 and ends on or about July 31.  Check with Department on dates for next summer. A Mini-Term may be offered the last two weeks in May. (check with the Department Office for the Schedule).

Eligibility Letter for Principal Probationary Certification

Student must formally request an eligibility letter for Principal Probationary Certification from, the Office of Teacher Certification and Admissions Services. EDCC 1.302

• Step 1: Request and submit an application for the “Eligibility Letter for Principal Probationary Certificate” available in The Office of Teacher Certification and Admission Services. Submit with the application:
  • An official UPTA transcript, and
  • A copy of the official degree plan Student will be notified by a representative from the Office of Teacher Certification and Admission Services that the paperwork has been reviewed.
• Step 2: Once notified, student can pick up “Eligibility Letter”.   A “Statement of Eligibility” will be attached.
• Step 3: If student obtains a contract, the statement of Eligibility must be signed by:
  • The school district, and
  • The Department of Educational Leadership
• Step 4: Student should submit to the Office of Teacher Certification and Admission Services:
  • The certification application
  • A completed and signed Statement of Eligibility