UT Tyler Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Online Master of Education with Standard Principal Certification - For Texas Educators Only
Our program is ranked #14 in the category "Best Online Master's Degrees in Educational Leadership" by Best Accredited Colleges!
We are accepting applications now!
The Masters of Education (M.Ed.) is an online thirty hour graduate program. Course work includes a concentration study in public school leadership and administration, and practicums. The M.Ed. degree may be earned while completing certification requirements.
Graduate Connection
Students and former students stay connected with Graduate Connections! Update Your Work Profile Here!
Admission Deadlines:
Applications and application materials must be submitted and received by the following deadlines:
- Fall - August 15
- Spring - December 20
- Summer - April 15
Program Costs & Other Associated Fees:
- The program will follow the standard tuition and fees as published by the university and the total program cost will be approximately $15,234*.
- 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
*Approximation based on 2025-2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule – prices are subject to change.
Admission Requirements:
To be considered for admission to the Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Standard Principal Certification program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Possess a valid Texas teacher certification in any field.
- Have at least two years of full-time teaching experience as the teacher of record.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in either the overall undergraduate degree or the last 60 hours of coursework.
- Submit official GRE scores (taken within the past five years), unless eligible for a waiver. The GRE requirement is waived if any of the following conditions are met:
-
-
- A GPA of 2.75 or higher in either the last 60 hours of coursework or overall undergraduate degree.
- A graduate degree GPA of 3.0 or higher.
-
- If the GRE is required, minimum scores are:
-
- Verbal: 143 or higher
- Quantitative: 140 or higher
- Writing: 3.0 or higher
-
- International applicants from countries where English is not an official language must submit TOEFL iBT that meet the Texas Education Agency standards (19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C)):
-
- Speaking 20-24
- Listening 17-21
- Reading 18-23
- Writing 17-23
-
- Complete the application submission process (detailed below).
Note: All students enrolled in this program must be currently teaching in Texas.
Application Submission Process:
Step 1: Submit Graduate Application and Transcripts
- Complete the graduate program application.
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions. Transcripts should be sent to:
By Email: GradAdmissions@uttyler.edu
By Mail:
The Office of Graduate Admissions, HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler Texas 75799
Step 2: Upload Required Documents
Once you receive your student ID, submit the following through the application portal:
- GRE scores, unless waived by meeting GPA requirements listed above.
- A copy of your Texas Teacher certification.
- A copy of your complete teaching service record from all school districts where you have worked (available from HR departments).
- Complete the Reference Request Form.
Step 3: Complete the Admission Screening Survey
- After submitting all required materials and receiving your student ID, complete the Admission Screening Survey.
Admission Decision
Once all application components have been received and reviewed, you will be notified of the admission decision. If accepted, you will receive an official offer of admission and program acknowledgment forms that must be accepted to finalize your admission to the university and the Educator Preparation Program.
Note: This program does not offer provisional admission. You must be fully admitted
to begin coursework.
Criminal History Acknowledgment:
As required by Texas HB1508, applicants need to be aware of the following.
- If you have been convicted of an offense that is 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 criminal history evaluation.
For more information, see Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.
Course rotation by semester admission:
Fall Admission Course Rotation:
|
Block |
Course |
Title |
Hours |
Total |
|
Block 1 (Fall) |
EDLR 5311 |
Instructional Leadership and Supervision |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5313 |
Strategic School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
Block 2 (Spring) |
EDLR 5320 |
School Law |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5337 |
School Building Operations |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5370 |
Practicum in the Principalship I |
3 |
||
|
Block 3 (Summer) |
EDLR 5330 |
The Principalship |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5349 |
Curriculum & Instruction for School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
Block 4 (Fall) |
EDLR 5333 |
Administration of Special Programs in Schools |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5310 |
Educational Leadership Theory and Practice |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5371 |
Practicum in the Principalship II |
3 |
||
|
|
|
TOTAL HOURS |
|
30 |
Spring Admission Course Rotation:
|
Block |
Course |
Title |
Hours |
Total |
|
Block 1 (Spring) |
EDLR 5311 |
Instructional Leadership and Supervision |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5313 |
Strategic School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
Block 2 (Summer) |
EDLR 5320 |
School Law |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5337 |
School Building Operations |
3 |
||
|
Block 3 (Fall) |
EDLR 5370 |
Practicum in the Principalship I |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5330 |
The Principalship |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5349 |
Curriculum & Instruction for School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
Block 4 (Spring) |
EDLR 5333 |
Administration of Special Programs in Schools |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5310 |
Educational Leadership Theory and Practice |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5371 |
Practicum in the Principalship II |
3 |
||
|
|
|
TOTAL HOURS |
|
30 |
Summer Admission Course Rotation:
|
Block |
Course |
Title |
Hours |
Total |
|
Block 1 (Summer) |
EDLR 5311 |
Instructional Leadership and Supervision |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5313 |
Strategic School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
Block 2 (Fall) |
EDLR 5320 |
School Law |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5337 |
School Building Operations |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5370 |
Practicum in the Principalship I |
3 |
||
|
Block 3 (Spring) |
EDLR 5330 |
The Principalship |
3 |
9 |
|
EDLR 5349 |
Curriculum & Instruction for School Improvement |
3 |
||
|
EDLR 5371 |
Practicum in the Principalship II |
3 |
||
|
Block 4 (Summer) |
EDLR 5333 |
Administration of Special Programs in Schools |
3 |
6 |
|
EDLR 5310 |
Educational Leadership Theory and Practice |
3 |
||
|
|
|
TOTAL HOURS |
|
30 |
Master of Educational Leadership and Principal Certification = 30 hours and includes Blocks I-IV.
Additional Information:
Contact:
For Program information:
Dr. Gary Miller, Program Coordinator
gmiller@uttyler.edu
903.565.5675
For Admission information:
SOEgraduate@uttyler.edu
903.566.7361
For complaints about this certification educator preparation program, please follow the policy outlined in the Certification Program's Complaint Policy.