My professors were the best resource for me during the entire experience. Every professor
in the educational leadership program truly cares about their students in a way that
is hard to find for an online master’s degree. I would say the level of service and
care by the faculty is rare in the field.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
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Lead East Texas Schools to a Brighter Future
Education is one of society’s fundamental building blocks, and you have a clear vision of how to make it stronger. You strive for a nurturing school environment — where high-performing teachers can do their jobs to the best of their abilities and every child thrives with the support they need. The Master of Education in educational leadership at The University of Texas at Tyler helps you fulfill that goal.
Designed for those currently employed by a Texas school, our program gives you the tools to improve your organization through curriculum evaluation, effective instruction, quantitative research and strategic planning. Prepare for the state’s standard principal certification as you complete your degree.
Why Earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership From UT Tyler?
You may be in a new leadership position at your school and seek to upskill your expertise. Or, after many years as an educator, you feel a responsibility to take a larger role in your community. Whether you are brand new to school administration or a seasoned professional, the MEd in educational leadership at UT Tyler gives you a strong strategic approach and the practical skills to spearhead better practices in your organization.
The University of Texas at Tyler’s program stands apart in more ways than one:
- 100% Online: Complete all coursework online in a student-friendly format that is interactive, engaging and practical. Earn a degree while continuing to fulfill your other work obligations.
- Time Efficient: Start this 16-month program in the spring, fall or summer. All courses are available during the academic year, and most are open during the summer semester to eliminate any unnecessary delays.
- Nationally Recognized: Our program is a member of the University Council for Educational Administration, a collective of top research institutions specializing in advancing educational leadership and policy. We are ranked #13 in Texas for Online Programs by Best Colleges, #14 in the “Best Online Master's Degrees in Educational Leadership” category by Best Accredited Colleges and #53 nationally by Intelligent as a Top Master’s Program in Educational Administration.
- Highly Effective: Prepare for standard principal certification while you satisfy program requirements. Our pass rate in 2021-2022 for the Performance Assessment for School Leaders exam was 100%, and for Principal as Instructional Leader was 91.4%.
- Hands-on Learning: Apply the knowledge you learn in class in two required practicums at a Texas school, fulfilling 240 hours of work activity in school administration.
- Supportive Faculty: Benefit from our engaged and dedicated faculty who offer career guidance and personalized assistance and have real-world experience in school administration.
- Affordable: Advance your career in a top-rated program at a fraction of the cost compared to similar institutions.
Curriculum
The MEd in educational leadership consists of 10 courses, two of which are practicums, for a total of 30 credit hours. Coursework focuses on instructional leadership, strategy and operations, policies and regulations, curriculum development, evaluation methods, pedagogical theory and the application of qualitative and quantitative data for school improvement.
Develop advanced competencies in:
- Establishing and implementing a shared vision and culture of excellence among students, staff, parents and the community.
- Partnering with fellow administrators, teachers and parents to support student learning.
- Developing and executing high-quality instruction through collaboration.
- Supervising and evaluating classroom instruction.
- Providing feedback and professional development to educators and staff.
- Hiring and retaining effective teachers.
- Improving student outcomes.
- Strategic operations for a school setting.
- Promoting ethics, equity and support for all learners within the school organization.
- During the program, you can also complete certification requirements and prepare for the TEA Principal as Instructional Leader Exam and the TEA Performance Assessment for School Leaders Exam.
Review All Course Descriptions for the MEd in Educational Leadership
Careers in Educational Leadership
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects demand for principals to grow 5% in the next decade. Moreover, as current school leaders retire or pivot to other careers, districts will likely seek out professionals who can face today’s challenges with innovative approaches based on the latest research. Graduates can apply the foundations learned through the program beyond a traditional school setting to adult education, community programs, preschool initiatives, government organizations and educational companies.
Potential job titles include:
- Curriculum Specialist
- Education Consultant
- Education Director
- School Administrator
- Education Specialist
- School Principal
- Superintendent
How to Apply
To be admitted to the Master of Education in educational leadership and Standard Principal certification program, a prospective student must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official Graduate Record Examinations scores obtained within the last five years. GRE scores are waived if the applicant has a GPA of 3.25 (overall degree or last 60 hours of coursework) or higher.
- Possess valid Texas teacher certification (in any field).
- Have a minimum of two years of TEA-creditable teaching experience as the teacher of record.
- Have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA or for the last 60 hours.
- Complete the application submission process.
Note: All students must teach in Texas while enrolled in the program.
First:
- Complete the application for admission to a graduate program.
- Complete the Reference Form questionnaire after you receive your student ID number.
Then:
- Send all of the following documents directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at the address below:
- Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Examinations. This can be waived if you earned a 3.25 or higher GPA for the last 60 hours of coursework and is determined once all transcripts are submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Copy of your Texas teacher certification (any field).
- Copy of your complete teaching service record from all districts. (Can be obtained from each district’s human resources office.)
The Office of Graduate Admissions, STE 345
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler TX 75799
You may also email documents to ogs@uttyler.edu
Finally:
- After submitting all the application materials mentioned above and receiving your student ID, complete the Admission Screening Survey.
When all materials are received and processed and admission criteria met, you will receive an offer of admission.
Note: This program does not offer provisional admission. You must be fully admitted to begin coursework.
As required by Texas HB1508, be aware of the following:
- If you were convicted of an offense considered not appropriate for a principal, you could be ineligible to earn this certification from the state of Texas.
- You have a right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency. The Texas Education Agency currently charges a $50 fee for this evaluation.
For more information, see the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.
In addition to the requirements listed above, UT Tyler uses the following elements to calculate an admission score for the Master of Education degree in educational leadership program. A student must receive a total of five or more points using the following criteria:
| GRE* | GPA - Last 60 Undergraduate Hours |
|---|---|
| 287+V/Q Combined - 5 points | 3.00+ GPA - 3 points |
| 153+ Verbal - 5 points | 2.75+ GPA - 2 points |
| 285+ V/Q Combined - 4 points | 2.50+ GPA - 1 point |
| 284+ V/Q Combined - 3 points | |
| 146+ Verbal - 3 points | |
| 283+ V/Q Combined - 2 points |
Applications and application materials must be submitted and received by the following deadlines:
- Aug. 15 (Fall)
- Dec. 20 (Spring)
- April 15 (Summer)
Total program tuition with fees is approximately $7,860 based on the 2022-2023 tuition schedule.
Other Associated Fees:
- Registration Fee for TEA Principal as Instructional Leader (268) Exam - $204
- Registration Fee for TEA Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) - $375
- Registration Fee for the Certify Teacher Program - $165
Boost Your Professional Opportunities
Prepare for the Superintendent TExES Certification exam with UT Tyler’s online Superintendent Certification Program. In 2020, our pass rate was 100%.
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Next Steps
The next phase of your career starts here. Discover how an MEd in educational leadership can help you and your community create a brighter future.