Educational Leadership

Do you see yourself in a leadership position in education? Our Educational Leadership program prepares leaders who are skilled in promoting learning in a culturally diverse society. Earn your Master of Education in Educational Leadership or certifications to become a principal or superintendent in the Educational Leadership program at TWU.

We provide a comprehensive program that:

Prepares candidates for K-12, higher education and other educational settings
Assists candidates in defining and building environments that are conducive to learning
Provides a rigorous, critical investigation of what is and what ought to be in schools
Prepares and develops educational leaders in areas of scholarship and public service

Get Connected with an Educational Leadership Faculty Member!

Developing leaders in the future of education

TWU stands alone with faculty engagement. Professors know your professional and educational goals and help you develop a plan to meet them. They hold you accountable to high standards and stretch your thinking to develop you into a strategic school administrator ready for any challenge. TWU develops educators able to shape the future of education. Aaron Turrubiarte

Master’s Degree

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Educational Leadership prepares individuals to serve as instructional supervisors, principals, assistant principals, program directors, and professional development specialists. This degree also leads to principal certification pending successful completion of coursework, internship, and passing of the state certification exam.

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Degree Plan

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the principal certification program and the superintendent certification program prepare educator candidates for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) exam (State Board for Educator Certification through the Texas Education Agency).

Fulfilling the requirements for the Principal as Instructional Leader certification (whether in a standalone program or within the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership) includes successfully passing the PAIL 268 examinations and PASL 368 examinations prior to completing ELDR 6613 (Internship for the Principal). The practicum and tasks associated with the PASL require access to and time spent on a TEA-accredited school campus; identifying and securing campus principal support and opportunity for PASL task and practicum completion is the responsibility of the student. Find more information about our testing policy here.

Certification-Only Programs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growing need for principals and superintendents as school enrollments continue to increase. The Department of Teacher Education and the Educational Leadership Program offer coursework leading to recommendation for Texas Principal Certification and Texas Superintendent Certification.

The M.Ed. and certification-only options are offered in a hybrid format and also may be completed at the Collin Higher Education Center (CHEC).

Principal Certification Plan

Superintendent Certification Plan

Admission Requirements

Students interested in any Educational Leadership programs need to apply to the TWU Graduate School and send documents directly to the Department of Teacher Education, as indicated below.

Admission to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or Principal/Superintendent Certificates

How to Apply

There are two steps to apply for our program:

Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
Send required documents to the Department of Teacher Education by completing this application (allow a moment for application to load)

Note. We cannot begin reviewing your application until you complete both steps.

Program Contact

Amanda Hurlbut, Ph.D.
940-898-2280
AHurlbut1@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall – August 1
Spring – December 1
Summer – May 1

Admission Requirements

Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of study

For additional information about the program, please see the Department of Teacher Education. For additional information about obtaining educator certification for candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree, please contact TWU’s Office of Educator Preparation Services and visit the Master of Arts in Teaching and Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teaching Certification websites.

Contact Information

Amanda Hurlbut, Ph.D.
940-898-2280
AHurlbut1@twu.edu

More information about state requirements for principal and superintendent certification can be found on the Texas Education Agency website.

Disclosure statement(s) for licensure and certification

Page last updated 4:03 PM, October 19, 2021