Program of Study - Principal Certification Program
Program Overview
The Department of Organization and School Leadership offers Principal Certification for both students who have a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and for students who have a master’s degree in a related field. All students pursuing the principal certificate must meet UTRGV, College of Education & P16 Integration, and department graduate admission requirements.
- The department chair along with the Faculty Admissions Committee makes admissions decisions.
- Graduate students must adhere to the university admission deadlines.
- Graduate students must adhere to the Leadership and Fitness Dispositions Policy found in the Student Handbook**
- Graduate students will be required to purchase software to store key documents, field-based work and assessments.
**Students are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical, responsible, and professional manner. This conduct is evaluated through the Leadership and Fitness Dispositions (LFD) policy as an element of student’s performance in the program. The purpose of the LFD review process is to regularly monitor students’ professional and personal development to ensure students demonstrate appropriate progress towards developing the necessary behaviors, attitudes, and professional competencies to practice school leaders. Students who do not comply with the LFD policy may be removed from the program. Please visit the program website for the full text of the policy.
Students who have completed the Educational Leadership Master's degree
Most of the courses for principal certification are embedded in the coursework for the master's degree. Once the master's degree is completed, students who wish to pursue principal certification must apply to the certification program. Once admitted to the program, students will take two principal practicum courses. Students will be required to purchase a software license to store key documents, field-based work and assessments.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the principal credential program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership
- 3.0 GPA
- Two (2) years teaching experience
- Presentation of the following to the Faculty Admissions Committee. (1 hour)
- Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
- Presentation of how you use student performance data to improve instruction
- Evidence of Leadership Activities
- Presentation of End-product from M.Ed. program
- Presentation of school site leadership roles/responsibilities
- Evidence of Teaching certificate (Updated)
- Evidence of Teacher Service Record
- Cleared Criminal Background Check
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Required Courses (6 Credits)
Students who have earned a master's degree in a related field
Students who have a master's degree in a related area, such as bilingual education, reading, school counseling, or other areas are also eligible to apply for the Principal Credential Program. Qualified students will be admitted into the Accelerated Summer Principal's Credential Program, which is only available in the summer. In this program, five required courses are taken over five weeks. Each course meets every day, Monday-Friday from 8-5 p.m. The practicum courses are then taken the following fall and spring semesters. Students will be required to purchase a software license to store key documents, field-based work and assessments.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the principal credential program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Master’s degree in a related field
- 3.0 GPA
- Two (2) years teaching experience.
- Presentation of the following to the Faculty Admissions Committee. (1 hour)
- Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
- Presentation of how you use student performance data to improve instruction
- Evidence of Leadership Activities
- Presentation of End-product from M.Ed. program
- Presentation of school site leadership roles/responsibilities
- Evidence of Teaching certificate (Updated)
- Evidence of Teacher Service Record
- Cleared Criminal Background Check
Required Courses (21 Credits)
Total Credit Hours: 6-21
Certification
Once program requirements have been completed, students will be eligible to take the state Principal TExES exam. Students will receive information regarding registration for the TExES while enrolled in the pre-practicum course. After completion of the two practicum courses and passing the TExES examination, students should apply for principal certification immediately. If TEA certification standards change between the time you complete the program and the time you apply for certification, you will be required to meet the new standards before being certified. This may mean taking additional courses or completing additional requirements.