Principal Certification Program
Principal Program Overview
CERTIFICATION ONLY
INSPIRE TEXAS' 1-year Principal Certification program prepares you to set the leadership tone for teachers and students in your school, and in the community you serve. Coursework and internship activities are designed to broaden your experience and build relationships. By program’s end, you’ll have what it takes to be an effective administrator in the 21st century.
- a Master’s or other advanced degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- 3.00 on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited IHE
- or 3.00 in the last 60 semester credit hours on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited IHE
New M.Ed. and Certification Track
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with the University of St. Thomas to bring a 30-hour master's degree in Educational Leadership and certification opportunity.
For admissions, you will need:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum overall or last 60 hours GPA of 3.0
- At least 2 full years of creditable teaching experience and a valid teaching certificate OR be completing 2 years by the completion of the program
- Demonstrated leadership skills in professional and community activities
- Texas certified school principal who will sign an agreement to serve as your site supervisor/mentor
- Recommendation letter from your campus principal
COURSEWORK |
|
| EDUC 6326 | Educational Research and Scholarship Writing |
| EDUC 6327 | Educational Research Design and Data Analysis |
| EDUC 5310 | Instructional Supervision |
| EDUC 5390 | Educational Leadership |
| EDUC 5391 | School Law |
| EDUC 5392 | The Principalship |
| EDUC 5397 | Curriculum Planning and Development |
| EDUC 6335 | Administrative Practicum I (15 weeks) |
| EDUC 6336 | Administrative Practicum II (15 Weeks) |
| EDUC 6306 | Introduction to School Finance |
International Candidates
- A university degree from outside of the U.S. must be evaluated, verified, and deemed equivalent to a master’s degree by an approved credential evaluation service. When requesting your credential evaluation from one of the approved TEA evaluation companies, please make sure to request it to include, GRADE by GRADE, GPA, and VERIFICATION. Please visit TEA website for a list of approved credential evaluation companies.
- GPA: 3.00 Grade Point Average (GPA) or equivalent.
- English Language Proficiency Assessment: Must be demonstrated before training by one of the following:
- Verification of satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language-Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT). Applicant must take all four portions (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) for a score to be calculated. All four sections must meet the folowwing criteria: The acceptable passing score on the Speaking portion is 24; Listening is 22; Reading is 22; and Writing is 21. To have scores submitted directly to Region 4, use our institution code 4805.
- Please register at the Education Testing Center (ETS)
- Information concerning the Texas Education Agency English language proficiency requirements, including new score requirements for the Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test (TOEFL-iBT)
- List of countries outside of the United States approved by the State for Educator Certification (SBEC).
Complete the online application. The application fee is $95 and is non-refundable. Assemble the following documents, to be mailed to us at least 15 days prior to the application deadline.
- Valid Teacher Certificate
- Official transcript(s), in sealed envelopes, of a master’s or other advanced degree program with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Electronic copies may be sent to transcripts@inspiretexas.net
- Certified or notarized copy of service record indicating a minimum of 2 years credible teaching experience
- Letter of recommendation from current principal or supervisor (if current position is not campus based) on school or school district letterhead
- Completion of Principal as Instructional Leader Candidate Aptitude by Supervisor
- Completion of the Leadership Diagnostic Interview
After your application is submitted and documents received, you will be notified via email of your acceptance into the program. When you receive your notification, choose the training date that works best for you.
All candidates are required to go through a criminal history background check. Region 4 and INSPIRE TEXAS reserves the right to disqualify an applicant who has a criminal history record. Per TAC §227.1 (d) The EPP has informed applicants and candidates of the required information regarding criminal history. The applicant will be notified when the report is run, and Inspire Texas receives the results. In addition, the applicant has the right to request their results. Candidates who defer the program and re-enter after six (6) months will go through a new criminal history background check.
Inspire Texas’ Principal Certification cohorts are offered four times a year, beginning in January, April, July and October.
You can be certified to become a principal in as little as one year. With more than 200 clock hours of instruction, your training includes topics such as educational leadership, developmental supervision, budget planning and specific preparation for the Principal TExES exam.
- Induction and successful internship
- Introduction to Principal as Instructional Leader
- Human Resources Management
- Principalship and Educational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- School Culture
At the conclusion of your certification training and internship, the final step is successfully passing the TExES Principal Exam. Passing a content area is required by the majority of school districts in Texas. When you have successfully met all the requirements, we will recommend you for the Standard Principal Certification.
More information is available online for TExES exam registration, preparation, and test dates.
