Principal Certification Only Program (100% Accelerated Online Classes)

Program Overview

Successfully prepare for your role as a school principal or instructional leader with the Principal Certification online degree program at The University of Texas at Arlington.

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.

Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states may continue in their program without interruption.

In this online principal certification program, you will gain comprehension for testing in six domains of school culture: Leading Learning, Human Capital, Executive Leadership, Strategic Operations, and Ethics, Equity, and Diversity.

Program Advantages:

• Full AAQEP accreditation
• 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
• Students should refer to the course syllabus for textbook information. 

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 present 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.

Completion Time

Students who start in January, May, or August can complete the program in as few as 12 months.

Students who begin in alternate starts (March, June/July, or October) can complete the program in as few as 14 months.

Total tuition* as low as 

$6,600

Qualified students admitted to UTA's accelerated online Principal Certification Preparation Only Program are eligible for a Tuition Scholarship. No separate scholarship application is necessary. The scholarships will be offered to eligible students who are accepted into the program. The scholarship is for the first semester of the program, but is renewable for students who earn grades of B or better in all courses.

*View our pricing webpage for details. 

If you have a master’s degree, you may be eligible to take 18 additional hours (six online courses + 250 hour practicum experience) through our department and earn the credentials needed to become a campus principal or an assistant principal. This principal certificate program is fully aligned with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards and designed for classroom teachers who want to advance in K-12 education.

Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states may continue in their program without interruption.

Don’t have a master’s degree? Consider our M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with principal certificate courses, which is ideal for aspiring principals and assistant principals who also need to obtain a master’s degree.

View Admissions Requirements and How to Apply