M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with Principal Certificate Courses (100% Accelerated Online Classes)

Program Overview

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with principal certificate courses was collaboratively developed by the University of Texas at Arlington and area school districts to instill the skills and background needed to become a campus principal or an assistant principal. This non-thesis principal certification program is fully aligned with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC §241.15), and designed for classroom teachers who want to advance in PreK-12 education.

*Students who start in January, May and August can complete the program in as few as 12 months. Students who begin in alternate starts (March, June/July, October) can complete the program in as few as 14 months.

This M.Ed. online program is offered by the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and is designed so that students can build upon their existing expertise with progressive skills that can increase student achievement, improve teacher performance and increase organizational effectiveness of schools and higher education institutions.

The program is approved by the University of Texas System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and it is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification.

Students should refer to the course syllabus for textbook information.

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.

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.

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

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

Total tuition* as low as 

$11,000

Qualified students admitted to UTA's designated accelerated online Master of Education degree programs are eligible to receive a Tuition Scholarship. No separate scholarship application is necessary. The scholarships will be offered to eligible students who are accepted into a designated 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. 

Paying for School

Students may also be eligible for financial aid and other forms of assistance. For more, view our Scholarships and Paying for School page.

Certificate Information for Texas Residents

The Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is an approved educator preparation program in Texas. To be eligible to receive the Standard Texas Principal Certificate, you must:

• Hold a master's degree from an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency, as recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
• Hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate;
• Have two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher;
• Successfully complete an approved Texas principal educator preparation program, which includes a supervised practicum in an accredited Texas public school or other school approved by the Texas Education Agency;
  successfully complete Texas required exams.
• Must be at a TEA-accredited campus for their practicums to be eligible for certification.

Certificate Information for Out-of-State Residents

Out-of-state students seeking certification in their home state must review the requirements for licensure with their home state education agency to determine if completion of the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UTA will lead to licensure in their home state.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires candidates seeking certification to complete all practica in a TEA-approved site. Out-of-state students who do not complete the practicum at a UTA College of Education and TEA-approved site and meet all other TEA requirements do not qualify for Texas educator certification. If seeking certification outside of Texas, please work with your state agency in the state in which you are seeking certification to determine eligibility and to complete any additional requirements. Please note that after successful completion of your UTA College of Education degree, you may request a memo indicating your degree completion. UTA cannot recommend out-of-state students for certification and cannot recommend out-of-state students to take Texas certification exam(s). Additionally, UTA faculty and staff cannot complete out-of-state form requests for individuals seeking certification, licensure, and/or endorsements in another state according to TEA.

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. Students are required to provide acceptable practice test score reports before being approved to take the Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam.

Additional costs associated with registering for each exam are set by the testing vendors and the Texas Education Agency.