Educational Administration

Master's Degree Program

Opportunities for graduate studies

The University of North Texas’ Department of Teacher Education and Administration offers graduate programs to develop highly competent teachers, school administrators and other professionals who provide educational leadership in public and private schools and other organizations.

Our Master of Education degree in Educational Administration focuses on the skills and knowledge required for campus-level and central office administration. The Texas principal certificate is available if you are seeking a master’s degree or if you already hold a master’s degree in another area.

Effective instruction, curriculum development and evaluation are emphasized in all of our programs. You will use current theory and research to make decisions about effective practices. The program also strives to improve practices through the generation of new knowledge and service to educational institutions, governmental agencies and practitioners at all levels.

The College of Education’s graduate programs were rated fourth out of the nine public Texas universities ranked in U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Graduate Schools. The programs were rated third in total grant funded research and fourth in the average annual externally funded research expenditures per faculty.

Outstanding graduate programs and faculty

Our faculty members are highly qualified in formal training and school leadership experiences. They have held various school leadership positions, including that 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

Outstanding superintendents, assistant superintendents and principals often teach courses in our program and offer real-world experiences in educational administration.

Faculty members work closely with school districts and regional Education Service Centers and participate in various partnership activities, including distance-learning courses. In addition to attending courses on campus, you can enroll in courses taught in the Carrollton- Farmer's Branch, Allen, Lewisville, Birdville and Frisco school districts.

We offer five online courses, four face-to-face courses and four blended courses. The program content is aimed toward meeting the challenges and opportunities of working in a diverse and dynamic educational environment. You can also receive required training leading to Instructional Leadership Development (ILD) certification and the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) Appraiser certification.

Each year, we host a leadership conference aimed at assistant principals. The conference brings more than 300 educators to the campus and provides information and skills specifically directed at the assistant principal’s role. The program also sponsors other conferences and seminars for school administrators.

Financial Assistance

We offer several forms of financial aid. For more information about www.gradschool.unt.edu/all_about_money.htm.

The College of Education offers scholarships to graduate students including the College of Education Scholarship and The Key to Success for North Texans Scholarships. For more information on scholarships, coe.unt.edu/scholarships.

Master’s program

Admission requirements

You must be admitted to both the Toulouse Graduate School and to the degree program. The graduate school application process requires the following actions:

• completing an application at www.applytexas.org
• submitting official copies of all transcripts
• taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

More information about graduate school requirements is at www.gradschool.unt.edu.

Also, you need to submit the following to the Educational

• a letter of recommendation from a supervisor
• a written essay describing reasons for seeking a master’s degree in educational administration, relevant educational experiences and strengths, and qualities that will make you a successful educational leader in an increasingly diverse educational environment
• a resume or vita highlighting previous work and educational experiences (You must have two full years teaching experience.)
• a completed program application form, which can be found at coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and-administration/degrees-minor-and-certication

Details about program requirements are at coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and administration/degrees-minor-and-certification. We use a holistic review for admissions considering all materials submitted for graduate school application and program application.

Degree requirements

• 12 hours of core courses (EDAD 5300, 5330, 5390 and 5400)
• 21 hours of professional courses
• 3 hour elective
• successful completion of a professional portfolio developed during the final semester

Principal Certification

Admission requirements

The admission process requires the following actions:

• submit an application for admission and official copies of transcripts to the Toulouse Graduate School
• provide program application, which is available at www.coe.unt.edu/teacher-education-and-administration/degrees-minorand- certification.

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

Standard certification requirements

Students earning a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration are eligible for a principal certificate. (If you have earned a master’s degree in another area, you are eligible to earn a principal certificate without completing a Master of Education degree.) The requirements include the following items:

• a master’s degree
• two years of creditable classroom teaching experience
• completion of an approved principal preparation program
• passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES)

Standard course requirements

• 12 hours of core courses (EDAD 5300, 5330, 5390 and 5400)
• 21 hours of professional courses
• 3 hour elective
• 3 hour internship (EDAD 5500)

You will complete a certification plan by meeting with a Master’s Degree/Principal Certification Advisor. The advisor will evaluate your transcripts to determine the courses needed for the certificate and courses that can transfer from another master’s degree. However, course work that is more than seven years old by the time the certificate requirements are completed will not count toward certification. Possible transfer hours must be at the 5000 level or higher. In addition, certification-only students may substitute ILD and PDAS appraiser training for two classes in the certificate 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 a certification program and have completed the first four courses
• employed or offered employment as an assistant principal, principal or other supervisory position requiring a principal certificate

The holder of a probationary certificate must be employed by an accredited Texas public or private school in a position appropriate for the certificate sought. The probationary certificate can be reissued for two additional calendar years if you continue to meet the requirements.

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