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Principal As Instructional Leader Certification for Candidates Holding a Master's Degree

Become Your School's Visionary Leader

With a Principal As Instructional Leader Certification for Candidates Holding a Master's Degree from University of Houston-Clear Lake's College of Education, you'll be prepared to take on the many tasks of managing a public or private elementary, middle or high school. The principal bears ultimate responsibility for all aspects and operations of the school, including hiring and evaluating teachers, maintaining the safety of students, teachers and all staff, creating strong community relationships, and supervising the coordination of all school activities, state testing and finances.

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Achieve Your Principal Standard Certification with T-TESS Certification

In order to fulfill principal certification requirements and earn T-TESS certification, students must successfully complete the 24-25 hours of coursework, have a valid Texas teaching certificate, two years of successful full-time classroom teaching in an approved accredited school and pass the Principal state assessment. This certification route consists of online and face to face courses.

Achieve Your Principal Standard Certification Only Completely Online

In order to fulfill principal certification requirements, students must successfully complete the 24-25 hours of coursework, have a valid Texas teaching certificate, two years of successful full-time classroom teaching in an approved accredited school and pass the Principal state assessment. This certification route does not include T-Tess certification.


Admission Requirements

UHCL’s College of Education would love to have you join us. Find out today what it takes to apply.

  • Principal as Instructional Leader Certification
  • Application

    A standard university application is required.

  • Requirements
    • Master's Degree and a 3.000 GPA over the last 60 semester credit hours.
    • Graduate Records Examination (GRE):
      • GRE is not required if GPA in last 60 hours is 3.000 or above.
      • GRE is required if GPA in last 60 hours is 2.750-3.000
        • Minimum required GRE scores: 294 combined on the Quantitative & Verbal, 3.5 Analytical Writing
    • Hold a valid Texas Teaching Certificate
    • Official Transcripts
      • Students should submit official transcripts from every college or university attended to the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Office of Admissions or International Admissions.
      • Please review New Student Admissions in the Graduate Catalog under Transcripts and Records Information to learn how to submit an official college transcript to UHCL.

    The following items must be uploaded to your UHCL E-Services account (assigned after you have completed the online application):

    • Letter of Support from School Building Administrator
    • Teacher Service Record (TSR)
    • College of Education Advanced Certification Program Application
    • Admissions Essay (1-2 pages)that addresses the following prompts:
      • Why do you wish to pursue a master’s degree in Educational Management?
      • Describe the strengths and/or experiences you possess that will be an asset to you in this program.
      • In what ways will this degree enable you to make meaningful contributions to your school community (staff, scholars, families, community)?
    • Interview Video
      • Record a 5-8 minute video of yourself that answers the following questions:
        • What can you tell us about yourself and your experiences that will make you a good candidate for the Principal as Instructional Leader program?
        • What does leadership mean to you?
        • How do you use critical self-reflection in your professional growth?
        • Explain how you plan to balance self-care, role responsibilities/expectations, and the rigor of a graduate program?
      • Upload the video of YouTube as "unlisted" and then paste the link to your video into a word document and upload it to your E-Services Account.

    Admissions Essay and Interview video will be scored based on program established rubrics

    Once your application has been approved, you will be prompted to formally accept your office of admission to the program and pay a required $37 TEA Admission fee.


Degree Requirements

Understanding the classes you need to take is crucial to planning out your education. Learn how you can pursue success at University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Principal as Instructional Leader Certificate


Cost Information

Create a plan for your education by studying the likely prices for your UHCL degree in education.

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Deadlines for Applying

  • Graduate Deadlines
  • Fall
    New Degree-Seeking Students - August 1
    Returning UHCL Students - August 15
  • Spring
    New Degree-Seeking Students - January 5
    Returning UHCL Students - January 15
  • Summer
    New Degree-Seeking Students - May 1
    Returning UHCL Students - May 25

Please note, some graduate programs have special deadlines and requirements. For more information, go to How to Apply as a Graduate Student. The online application is scheduled to close for Graduate students after the Formal UHCL Student deadline of each semester.

Applying After the Priority Deadline

New, non-degree seeking, and returning UHCL students applying after the deadlines above may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the appropriate graduate enrollment counselor for more information. A $50.00 Late Registration Fee or $50.00 Late Payment may apply.

Review the UHCL Academic Calendar for registration and payment dates and deadlines.

  • International Deadlines
  • Fall

    Priority Deadline - May 1
    Extended Deadline - June 1

  • Spring

    Deadline - October 1

  • Summer*

    Deadline - April 1

For more information regarding deferring your application, please visit Deferring International Admission.

Students interested in qualifying for scholarships &/or applying for visas outside the U.S. should apply and submit the application documents/test scores by the priority deadline

*International freshmen applicants will not be accepted for Summer semester.


Locations

University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058

Phone: (281) 283-7600

UHCL Online

UHCL Online

Bayou Building, Room 1406
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-212-1611

Make the most of a hectic schedule and study from home or the office through UHCL Online, offering the same level of excellence for more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.

About UHCL Online

UH-Clear Lake at Pearland

UH-Clear Lake at Pearland

1200 Pearland Pkwy
Pearland, Texas 77581
Phone: 281-212-1700

Since 2010, University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland has proudly served as an upper-level institution serving juniors, seniors, and graduate students in fields like business and behavioral science.

About UHCL at Pearland

Alief ISD

Alief ISD

7555 Howell Sugar Land Road
Houston, TX 77083
Phone: 281-212-1611

Take your educational leadership potential to the next level with a certificate or graduate degree from our cohort program at Alief Taylor High School.

About Alief Off-Campus Location


Accreditations and Distinctions

The College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

We've earned national recognition for accomplishment and innovation, including the Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.


Principal As Instructional Leader Certification for Candidates Holding a Master's Degree Faculty

Antonio Corrales
Antonio Corrales

Antonio Corrales

Doctoral Program Director and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3588
Email: corrales@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

Antonio Corrales Faculty Bio

John Decman
John Decman

John Decman

Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3548
Email: decman@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1125

John Decman Faculty Bio

Jennifer Grace
Jennifer Grace

Jennifer Grace

Administration and Supervision Program Director and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3523
Email: grace@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111-8

Jennifer Grace Faculty Bio