Mission Statement: The Master of Education degree with a major in Educational Leadership prepares students for school leadership roles. The program provides opportunities for students to learn and apply knowledge, skills, and dispositions set forth in Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards.
Program Information: Students will work in informal cohorts to apply educational leadership knowledge and skills to current school issues, often in actual school settings. Students who complete the educational leadership program are eligible to apply for Texas Principal Certification upon satisfactory completion of the state mandated TExES examination and two years of teaching experience.
All students must meet the admission standards for the University and the West College of Education. The graduate program in Educational Leadership requires 36 semester hours. Master’s degree candidates must complete the 36 hour course of study as listed as well as the Capstone Research Project approved and scored by an Educational Leadership faculty member. The Capstone Research Project must reflect an ability to support K-12 student learning and development.
Students who already possess a master’s degree may enroll in a non-degree program leading to principal or superintendent certification. Students pursuing principal certification will be directed by a program advisor to enroll in required educational leadership courses not already taken in their master’s degree work. Research courses (6 hours) are not required; internship is required. Non-degree seeking candidates must complete the Capstone Research Project approved and scored by an Educational Leadership faculty member. The Capstone Research Project must reflect an ability to support K-12 student learning and development. The superintendent certification program is an 18-hour, year-long course of study to prepare students to take the state superintendent certification exam. Candidates must have two years of principalship experience and a superintendent willing to mentor them.
A probationary principalship certificate is available upon admission to the educational leadership program and a documented job offer. Candidates for this certificate must meet legal requirements. The certificate is valid one year at a time for up to 3 years. Students must enroll in EDLE 5793 to participate in a probationary internship the first semester and EDLE 5791 for each additional semester.
In order to be recommended to take the state principal certification exam, candidates must first pass the principal certification practice exam.