The ACP Principal Program fee is $7,250. You’ll also pay a $35 technology state-mandated fee paid to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by candidates admitted into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), as required by Texas Administrative Code Chapter 229.9. Enrollees must have paid the full cost of the program prior to being recommended for certification.
Alternative Certification Program for Principals
Already have a master's degree, are certified to teach in Texas, and want to advance your career in PK-12 education? Consider our Alternative Certification Program for Principals.
Future Students Start Here
Advance your leadership career with our 100% online Principal Certification program. Complete your certification in as little as one year while gaining the skills and confidence to prepare for the TExES Principal (268) and PASL (368) exams.
About the Program
Program Overview
The College of Education’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for Principals is 100% online and designed for candidates who hold a master’s degree and would like to pursue an educational leadership career.
The online certification program prepares you to take both the TExES Principal (268) as an Instructional Leader exam and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) 368 exam.
Candidates will complete eight (8) asynchronous content modules along with three (3) practicum modules designed to meet Texas Education Agency requirements for certification. These modules address a variety of essential topics, including introduction to educational leadership, school culture, human capital, and executive leadership, among other topics.
Please note:
*Candidates must be employed full-time at a TEA-approved setting for their practicums to be eligible for certification.
*This program does not recommend students for internship or probationary certificates.
* Don’t have a master’s degree? Consider our M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with principal certification, which is ideal for aspiring principals and assistant principals who also need to obtain a master’s degree.
Program Advantages:
- 100% accelerated online coursework
- Prepares you for the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) 368 exam.
- Approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as a Principal Educator Preparation Program
- Strong alumni network
Learning outcomes for this program include:
- Preparation to succeed in the critical role of an effective, entry-level school principal or assistant principal with an increased emphasis on instructional leadership
- Aspects of instructional leadership, such as data-driven decision-making, the continuous improvement cycle, the observation and coaching cycle, change management, and issues related to educational equity
- Contexts reflect early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, rural, urban and suburban schools
- Heightened understanding of the knowledge, skills and mindset that are key to being a successful school leader
- Coaching teachers: emphasis placed on instructional coaching and providing evidence-based feedback to teachers
- Emphasis on supporting staff in the effective use of instructional data to inform instructional practice and develop intervention plans
- The importance of culture and diversity in schools
- Future roles could include school Principal, Assistant Principal or private school Administrator. This program requires approved administrative practicum work.
Program Cost
The program fee for our ACP is $7,250. Additionally, you’ll pay a $35 technology state-mandated fee paid to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by candidates admitted into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), as required by Texas Administrative Code Chapter 229.9. Enrollees must pay the full cost of the program prior to UTA awarding any required certification or recommendation.
You may pay the program fee all at once ($7,250) or select one of the following payment options:
- 2 payments of $3,625 (once every 4 months)
- 4 payments of $1812.5 (once every 3 months)
To fully complete the ACP program and receive any required UTA certification or recommendation, enrollees must have paid the full cost of the program. If a payment is missed or late, access to all aspects of the program (modules, field observations, exam requests, etc.) will be paused until the payment is received and processed. Once the account is brought up to date, access will be reinstated. It is the candidate’s responsibility to remember all upcoming payment dates and ensure payments are submitted on time.
Since the program is a non-credit program, federal financial aid is not available. However, funding opportunities may be available as part of a school district partnership program.
To become certified, you must pay additional state-required fees to outside agencies or companies, including, but not limited to,
|
FEE TYPE |
COST |
|
Certification Exam Preparation |
Varies; Pearson & 240 Tutoring |
|
Certification Exams |
$200 per exam (additional fees may apply for some exams) |
|
Performance Assessment for School Leaders (368) |
|
|
Standard Certificate |
$78 |
Frequently Asked Questions
You may pay the program fee all at once ($7,250) or select one of the following payment options:
- 2 payments of $3,625 every 4 months
- 4 payments of $1812.50 every 3 months
Enrollees must have paid the full cost of the program prior to being recommended for certification.
If a payment is missed or late, access to the program modules and supervision will be paused until the payment is received and processed. Once the account is brought up to date, access will be reinstated. It is the candidate’s responsibility to remember all upcoming payment dates and ensure payments are submitted on time.
Since the program is a non-credit program, federal financial aid is not available. However, funding opportunities may be available as part of a school district partnership program.
Yes, new cohorts start every June, August, October, January, March, and May.
This program is designed to be completed within 12-15 months. While the program is designed to be self-paced, candidates who begin practicum observations are expected to follow the recommended milestone timelines. Staying on track with these milestones is important to ensure timely completion of practicum requirements.
To become certified, you must pay additional state-required fees to outside agencies or companies, including but not limited to:
| FEE TYPE | COST |
| Certification Exam Preparation | Varies; Pearson & 240 Tutoring |
|
Certification Exams |
$200 per exam (additional fees may apply for some exams) |
| Standard Certificate | $78 |
Application process for ACP Principal
1. Submit your application.
2. Await a decision on your application status from the UTA College of Education.
3. Follow the provided Marketplace link to submit the $7,250 payment or make the installment payment for the ACP program.
4. If admitted into the Education Preparation Program (EPP), accept the admission offer within 7 days.
5. Begin the UTA ACP Principal educational modules.
Besides the application, what else do I need to submit?
All required documents will be submitted with your application. These documents include:
- Completed application in SLATE.
- Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts will be sent to acpprincipal@uta.edu)
- TEA ID number
- A copy of your teaching certification
- A copy of your service records to provide evidence of years of teaching experience
- Verification of employment (VOE) in a TEA-accredited district (This document may be acquired from your human resources department. A VOE is not the same as your service record, as a VOE proves "current" employment.
- Two professional references, including at least one from a current principal or AP.
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