Educational Leadership

Graduate opportunities

The Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership focuses on the skills and knowledge required for campus-level and central office administration. At the University of North Texas, you will earn a master’s degree and principal certification through the same course of study. If you already have a master’s degree, you can complete course work for certification only.

Effective instruction, curriculum development and assessment are emphasized in all of our courses. You will use current theory and research to make decisions about best practices and apply your learning to real-world situations. In addition, you will receive Instructional Leadership Development (ILD) certification and Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) certification as components of your regular course work. This eliminates the need for additional training after securing an administrative position.

Courses are presented in a variety of formats, allowing you to better balance home, work and academic obligations. We offer five fully online courses, two field-based courses completed at a school site, and six courses that are delivered either in a face-to-face format or in a hybrid format with online activities. Our courses are taught at several school districts in the North Texas region as well as at the UNT campus. The school districts include Allen, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Lewisville and Dallas. You can also transfer courses from UNT Dallas.

Strong support system

An important goal for our program is to provide a collegial, supportive environment for learning and guidance. Each student is assigned an advisor who provides information about program requirements, principal certification requirements, transfer courses, future considerations for doctoral work and other important information.

Our faculty members emphasize the best in learning and leadership practices and promote real- world applications of those practices. We endeavor to model leadership and develop administrators who can successfully lead schools in today’s diverse and dynamic educational environment.

Outstanding resources

Our faculty members have held various school leadership positions, including those of principal and superintendent, and are involved in research in the following areas:

• Education law
• Leadership
• Policy implementation
• Professional learning communities
• Public school finance
• Reform initiatives

Superintendents, assistant superintendents and principals often teach courses in our program and share real-world experiences. Faculty members work closely with school districts and regional Education Service Centers and participate in various partnership activities, including distance-learning courses.

Each year, we host a leadership conference that provides information and skills for practicing administrators. We also sponsor other various conferences and seminars for school administrators.

The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036; telephone 202-466-7496). This distinction means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for excellence in education. The college is also one of the top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors and other school professionals in Texas.

Attending UNT

Master’s program

Admission requirements

You must be admitted to the Toulouse Graduate School and to the degree program. The graduate school requirements are outlined at gradschool.unt.edu and include taking the GRE.

The following items need to be submitted to the Educational Leadership program office. We conduct a holistic review of the items to determine admissions.

• Completed program application form found at www.coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and-administration/educational-administration
• Letter of recommendation from a supervisor
• Résumé or curriculum vitae (You must have two full years of teaching experience.)
• Written essay describing reasons for seeking a master’s degree, relevant educational experiences and strengths, and qualities that will make you a successful educational leader

More details about program requirements are at www.coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and-administration/ educational-administration.

Degree requirements

• 12 semester hours of core courses
• 21 semester hours of professional courses
• 3-semester-hour elective course
• Completed professional portfolio developed during the final semester

If you have completed other master’s level courses, you may be able to transfer some courses to the Educational Leadership program. You can meet with an advisor to determine the transferability of courses. Courses cannot be more than six years old when you complete the master’s degree.

Principal certification Admission requirements

• Submit an application for admission and official transcripts to the graduate school (Graduate school requirements are at gradschool.unt.edu.
• Completed program application available at www.coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and-administration/educational-administration

The GRE is not required if you are seeking certification only.

Standard certification requirements

• Two years of creditable classroom teaching
  experience
• Completion of an approved principal preparation program
• Passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES)

Course requirements

• 12 semester hours of core courses
• 21 semester hours of professional courses
• 3-semester-hour elective course
• 3-semester-hour internship

You will complete a certification plan in consultation with a Master’s Degree/Principal Certification Advisor. The advisor evaluates your transcripts to determine the courses needed for the certificate and the transferability of courses. Course work that will be more than seven years old when the certificate requirements are completed will not count toward certification. Transfer hours must be at the 5000 level or higher. In addition, certification-only students may substitute ILD and PDAS appraiser training from a regional service center for two classes in the certificate-only program.

Probationary certificate requirements

The probationary certificate is valid for one calendar year and can be issued if you meet the following qualifications:

• Enrolled in an educator preparation program and have completed the first four courses: EDAD 5300, 5330, 5390 and 5400
• Employed or offered employment as an assistant principal, principal or other supervisory position requiring a principal certificate

The probationary certificate can be reissued for two additional calendar years if you are enrolled in a program and are employed in an appropriate administrator position. Mentoring and supervision are required throughout the validity period of the probationary certificate.

You may apply for this certificate upon completion of our Educational Leadership program’s common core courses. In addition, the state requires a completed Statement of Eligibility form from UNT and the school district granting the probationary certificate. You must apply www.tea.state.tx.us.

Financial assistance

The College of Education offers scholarships to graduate students including the College of Education Scholarship and Education: The Key to Success for North Texans Scholarship. For more information on scholarships, visit www.coe.unt.edu/scholarships. Information about other financial assistance programs is at financialaid.unt.edu.