Professional Certification (Superintendent)
CERT Superintendent Certification (Professional Cert.)
Program Overview
The Texas State University superintendent certification program prepares educators to serve as school district superintendents and in other central office leadership positions. The program offers courses taught by experienced superintendents, central office leaders and university faculty and provides an exceptional opportunity to build professional networks.
This certification program requires 15 hours to complete.
Course Work
The non-degree program consists of:
- 15 semester hours of graduate course work that may be completed in one year
- collaborative instruction by experienced university faculty and district administrators
- course content aligned with state and national standards for district level leadership
- a flexible schedule of monthly seminars combined with online learning
- a field-based internship during the fall and spring semesters
- preparation for the TExES examination, which students must pass for full certification
- candidates who wish to earn a doctoral degree + superintendent certification can apply to the Ph.D. in School Improvement
Financial Aid
This program does not qualify for financial aid.
Program Details
The Texas State program is aligned with state and national standards and is recognized for creating equity-oriented district level leaders.
Program Mission
In today's complicated and evolving educational environment, superintendents and central office leaders are challenged to develop high-quality school systems that create success for all students. In order to improve entire systems, administrators must understand how to work with their schools and communities. The Texas State University superintendent certification program prepares educators to succeed in the current educational environment and to lead the transformation of policy and practice to create the schools we need in every community.
Career Options
The Texas State superintendent certification program prepares educators to serve as school district superintendents or in other central office leadership positions such as:
- chief academic officer
- associate superintendent
- director of human resources
- director of operations
- director of professional learning
- director of student services
Program Faculty
Program instructors are experienced public school administrators. This practical background enables the professors to demonstrate to students the manner by which ideas, techniques and policy studies may be applied in a school setting. The faculty is actively engaged in professional organizations at state and national levels. They also serve as consultants to numerous school districts in personnel searches, facility studies, curriculum projects, staff development and professional organization accreditation studies.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Rose Pena
rp53385@txstate.edu
512.245.2241
Academic Services Building South (ASBS), Room 306
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Adolph Vega
adolph_vega@txstate.edu
(512) 245-9909
Academic Services Building South (ASBS), Room 306
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines* | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines* Summer I | U.S. Citizen May 15 | International March 15 |
*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $35 nonrefundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (if offered admission)
and either - $20 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $60 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
There are additional fees associated with certification programs to be paid after admission. Review important information about the additional fees to be paid.
- $35 nonrefundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (if offered admission)
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- master's degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year Bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA on your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
Effective Fall 2024
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- master's degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year Bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact gradcollege@txsate.edu if you are unsure.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
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Test Scores
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
TOEFL Scores*
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or one of the exempt countries found on the TEA standards and Texas State University standards.
- official TOEFL iBT scores with minimum individual scores of
- 22 listening
- 22 reading
- 24 speaking
- 21 writing
*Exceptions are made for students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education in India. These students must meet the following requirements:
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
- Review important information about official test scores.
- This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- copy of official teaching certificate documenting initial teaching certification
- copy of official principal certificate*
- copy of official teaching record documenting at least one year's teaching experience
*The program will also accept the equivalent of a principal certificate issued by another state or country or the completion of the superintendent certificate application and approval from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to substitute three years’ managerial experience in lieu of a principal certificate.
Review important information about documents.