Program Overview

Accelerated Principal Certification Program

The Accelerated Principal Certification program at the University of Houston is designed for working educators who wish to transition into campus leadership and increase their impact on student achievement. This certification-only program can be completed in as few as three semesters, either online or in a hybrid format with multiple convenient locations.

Program Overview

The program requires six courses, a practicum in a school district, and three field observations by a UH field supervisor. The courses include:

• ELCS 6301 – Leadership for Equity in Diverse Schools
• ELCS 7302 – Data Informed Decision Making for School Leaders
• ELCS 7320 – Instructional Leadership I
• ELCS 7321 – Instructional Leadership II
• ELCS 6370 – Research for Educational Leaders
• ELCS 7391 – Practicum in the Principalship

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have:

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher (based on the last degree earned)
• A master's degree
• Valid Texas teacher certification
• Two years of teaching experience at the time of acceptance or upon program completion

Career Opportunities

Texas has a growing demand for certified campus leaders, with over 8,000 public schools relying on them for success. Certified educators are well-positioned for leadership roles across the state, with potential jobs including:

• School principal
• Assistant principal
• School administrator
• Team leader
• Department chair

Why Choose the University of Houston

The University of Houston offers a proven track record of success, with students having a strong pass rate on the Texas principal certification exams. The program also provides expert faculty and mentorship, as well as a powerful network of educators in a diverse and dynamic location.

Certification Steps

To earn principal certification in Texas, students must:

• Successfully complete all coursework
• Complete all required practicum hours and observations
• Hold a teacher certification issued by the Texas Education Agency
• Hold a minimum of a master's degree
• Pass the state TExES 268 and TExES 368 certification exams

Application Requirements

The application requirements include:

• Online application
• Program admissions form
• Official transcript(s)
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Copy of valid Texas teacher certificate
• Copy of district service record

Costs and Financial Support

To estimate costs, students can use the UH tuition calculator. Please note that federal aid is only available for UH degree programs, not for certification-only programs.