Principal Certification

If you want to make an impact beyond the classroom, the ɫ�� College of Education can help you become a certified principal in Texas. We offer two main options:

Master’s degree, plus certification: Our M.Ed. in administration and supervision program will prepare you to work as a school principal. The program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in as few as two years.

Certification only: If you already have a master’s degree and are only seeking certification to be a principal, this option is designed to be completed in as little as one calendar year. (On the online ɫ�� application, chose "certificate" for the type of program you are seeking.)

Note: Students also may pursue principal certification if they are seeking an M.Ed. in special populations – special education leadership, an Ed.D. in professional leadership – special populations or an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction. Contact Clinical Assistant Professor Keith Butcher at kbutcher3@uh.edu for details.

You must be certified to work as a public school principal in Texas. Private schools can set their own requirements.

Certification homepage

Requirements

After being admitted into the ɫ��, you also must be admitted into the College of Education’s principal-preparation program. This is a state requirement for all educator-prep programs. Students should look for more information from the College after being accepted to ɫ��.

Basic requirements include:

Having a GPA of 2.5 or higher (based on last degree earned)
Holding a valid Texas teacher certification
Having at minimum a bachelor’s degree

ɫ�� typically has a high admission rate for those who meet the state requirements.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Once formally admitted in the certification program, you must complete the following:

200+ clock hours of content and pedagogy (5+ courses)
- For the master's degree, additional courses will be required.
160+ practicum hours
135+ observation minutes by a ɫ�� field supervisor

CERTIFICATION

To earn certification, you must:

Successfully complete all coursework.
Complete all required practicum hours and observations.
Complete the degree program.
Hold a valid Texas teacher certification.
Have two years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school.
Hold at minimum a master’s degree.
Pass the 268/Principal as Instructional Leader certification exam and the 368/Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL).*
- Learn more about testing and setting up required accounts online.