Post-Master's Certificate of Advanced Study - Principal as Instructional Leader

The Educational Leadership Program in the Department of Teacher Education offers coursework leading to recommendation for Texas Principal as Instructional Leader Certification. To obtain a recommendation for certification through Texas Woman’s University, an individual must have a master’s degree (preferably in education or an education-related field), a valid Texas teaching certificate, two years of creditable teaching experience, and completion of coursework on a plan of study leading to certification. After being admitted to the Graduate School, Educational Leadership Program, and the Educator Preparation Program, the certification candidate must meet with his or her faculty advisor to complete a plan of study. The number of semester credit hours required and specific coursework varies with respect to applicants’ academic preparation and experience. Further information about certification program plans of study and requirements for the TExES examination can be found at TWU Educational Leadership.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

1. Become instructional leaders who continuously ensure that the rigor of the curriculum and use of assessments align with state expectations, and are effective, data-driven, and maximizes learning for all students on a campus and/or within a school district. 

2. Assess, evaluate, and retain the human capital on a campus and/or within a school district to ensure that high-quality teachers and staff are coached and provided with targeted professional development, and are evaluated with multiple data sources.

3. Provide resilient executive leadership through change, as they continuously seek to improve, reflect, and grow on personal goals. They will also learn to communicate to different types of audiences while ensuring positive relationships, and demonstrate good moral character while following the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators. 

4. Establish, implement, and promote a shared vision and productive culture that ensures high expectations for students and staff, and promotes social and emotional supports for students, while engaging families and community members in student learning. Additionally, they will encourage a safe school environment that promotes civility and student discipline. 

5. Collaborate to create and promote clear campus or district goals that align to the school and district vision and that allows for continuous improvement of teachers and students through strategic planning. They will ensure that learning time is maximized and the needs of the school are monitored and impact on school goals, while also collaborating with district staff to ensure that all district, state, and federal policies/codes/laws are followed. (Texas Education Agency, 2019, para 1-5). 

Admissions

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

This academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours Required

21 semester credit hours (SCH).

Course List

Code	Title	SCHs
Required Courses
ELDR 5123	Educational Foundations and Administrative Implications: AEL	3
ELDR 5323	Administrative Processes in Schools	3
ELDR 5333	Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation	3
ELDR 6113	Education Law	3
ELDR 5353	Leadership and Special Programs	3
Internship
ELDR 6513	Professional Principal Preparation	3
ELDR 6613	Internship for the Principal	3
Total SCHs		21