M.Ed. in K-12 Education Administration with Certification
Program Overview
The Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations offers a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration with a focus on K-12 administration that can be tailored to meet a professional's career and educational goals. Students who pursue K-12 Educational Administration may incorporate principal certification in their degree plan.
Applicants interested in the K-12 setting are encouraged to apply for the master’s level where educational opportunities provide a solid foundation and knowledge base for roles in central office or school site leadership. Students interested in developing the specific skills, knowledge, and mindsets of K-12 educational leaders would best benefit from the M.Ed. as it provides foundational courses, administrative experiences and internships to support the development of leadership in action.
The program offers coursework leading to Principal Certification. The Principal as Instructional Leader Certification program prepares practicing educators to exceed State Board of Education Certification objectives in preparation for school leadership.
What Sets Us Apart?
El Paso is one of the largest cities along the U.S. - Mexico border, which makes it a unique place to work, live, study, and conduct research. Educational issues examined in this environment will offer considerable insight into policy formation in urban, multicultural and international regions, as well as applications for educational reform across the United States.
Research in a culturally and linguistically diverse area: UTEP and El Paso’s K-12 schools serve a bilingual population, mostly English and Spanish. Because of this, students enrolled in the program may get involved in research conducted in Spanish and English.
The unique features of this program include an emphasis on educational leadership issues in the U.S. - Mexico border region, and opportunities for research and practice in culturally, linguistically diverse, and economically disadvantaged contexts. The cohort program provides students with a sense of community, understanding, respect, and mutual support.
Vision & Mission
Our fine faculty is committed to providing quality and professional research, scholarship, education, and service opportunities to the El Paso region and around the nation. Through the context of our bi-national location, we prepare leaders for the contemporary challenges in education with an innovative interdisciplinary approach. Graduates of our programs are educated to incorporate ideas, values and experiences that reflect a pluralistic society with an eye on social justice. We combine theory, practice, research and service to create a supportive environment to nurture the development of scholars in practice who will lead in a variety of educational settings including K-12, higher education, adult education and the non-profit sector.
Admission Requirements for the Master’s with Principal Certification
Applicants seeking the in addition to the M.Ed. in Educational Administration, will also need to meet the admission requirements for the certification.
Minimum Requirements for Admission to a Principal Preparation Program. Prior to admission to an educator preparation program leading to the Principal Certificate, an individual must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. For more information please visit )
Applicants completing the M.Ed. in Educational Administration and who would like to pursue a Texas Principal Certificate concurrently, must indicate so when applying for the M.Ed. in Educational Administration and submit the additional required documentation listed below.
When applying to the Program students must submit the following:
- Application for admission to the Graduate School
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Transcripts: Applicants Attainment of an undergraduate cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or attainment of an undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.0 in all upper division undergraduate coursework;
- Written Letter of Intent: A written statement indicating why you are interested in the Principal as Instructional Leader program in addition to describing personal and professional goals as related to the focus of the M.Ed. in Educational Administration;
- Interview: An interview will be conducted after the application review;
- Three professional letters of recommendation from current or recent supervisors;
- Valid Texas teaching certificate;
- District Service record showing a minimum of two yeas of' teaching experience;
Screen 1 – Application Packet Review: The admission criteria will be reviewed holistically using a rubric to assess the potential of the applicant in terms of readiness and commitment to leadership at the principal level.
Screen 2 - Interview: Successful applicants of Screen 1 will be invited for an interview. The interview will determine commitment to the principal certificate program as well as fit to the program.
Transfer Courses on the Program of Study
Upon recommendation of the Graduate Advisor or Program Director, students pursuing an M.Ed. in Educational Administration with a focus on K-12 School Administration may transfer up to nine semester credit hours from an accredited institution towards the fulfillment of the master’s degree.
Deadlines/Calendar of Program Activities
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Event |
Date |
Location |
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Information Sessions: Potential Applicants |
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Admission |
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Application Deadline |
May 15 |
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Review of Documents |
May |
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Selection of Applicants for Interview |
May |
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Interviews for Admission |
May |
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Notify Qualified Selected Candidates of Acceptance |
TBD |
Email/Telephone |
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New Student Orientation
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TBD |
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Fall Classes Begin |
August |
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Coursework |
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New cohorts will follow the course sequence below: |
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Core Courses (12 hours) Advanced Administration Courses (12 hours) Specialized Courses (6 hours) EDAD 5320 - Special Education Leadership Internship/Practicum |
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Training |
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Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL) |
Spring |
ESC |
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T-TESS |
Summer |
ESC |
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Field-based Experiences: |
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Adherence to New Principal as Instructional Leaders Standards |
Fall/Spring/Summer |
UTEP Coursework/ |
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Dyslexia: Characteristics, Identification, and Effective Strategies |
EDAD 5310 |
ESC 10 – Online Module |
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Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth Suicide |
EDAD 5320 |
ESC 10 – Online Module |
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Digital Learning Following ISTE Standards |
TBD |
TBD |
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English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) |
EDAD 5312 |
ESC 10 – Online Module |
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Practicum |
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EDAD 5375 – Administrative Internship I Candidate is also prepared for certification exams.
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Summer |
District sites |
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Initial Contact by Field Supervisor |
Second week of Summer Session |
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Field Site Supervisor Visits with Pre/Post Conference |
Before 1st 50 hours of practicum |
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Site Visit #2 - with Field Supervisor report |
Before 1st 100 hours of practicum |
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EDAD 5376 – Administrative Internship II
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Fall |
District sites |
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Field Site Supervisor Visits with Pre/Post Conference |
Before 160 hours of practicum |
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Final overall performance evaluations from Field & Site Supervisor |
At 160 hours of practicum |
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Assessments |
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Principal as Instructional Leader (Qualifying) |
Year-round |
UTEP Testing Labs |
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268 – Principal as Instructional Leader |
Year-round |
Pearson Testing Sites |
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368 – Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) |
Fall/Spring |
ETS Online System |
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The 36-credit hour Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program in Educational Administration with emphasis on K-12 Administration is designed to meet the needs of applicants seeking to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to becoming effective K-12 educational instructional leaders. The program requires the completion of a set of Foundation courses, Advanced Administration courses, Specialized Preparation courses, and field-based experience courses for those seeking certification.
Students enrolled in the M.Ed. program can also seek admission into the Principal Certification Preparation Program, which culminates with principal certification in the state of Texas (See section on Principal Certification.)
Foundation Courses
All Foundation Courses must be taken prior to completing courses at the next level. All four courses will be offered every term throughout the academic year:
Course List
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Code |
Title |
Hours |
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Administrative Leadership |
3 |
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Instructional Leadership |
3 |
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School Community Leadership |
3 |
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Data-Based Decision Making |
3 |
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Total Hours |
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12 |
General Administration Courses
The General Administration Courses will be completed by all students admitted into the program. Prerequisites for registration include the successful completion of at least three of the four Foundation Courses. The fourth Foundation Course can be in progress while the student registers for General Administration courses. These courses include:
Course List
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Code |
Title |
Hours |
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School-Based Budgeting |
3 |
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Educational Law |
3 |
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Ed Leadership in Diverse Society |
3 |
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Administration of School Personnel & Services |
3 |
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Total Hours |
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12 |
Specialized Preparation Courses
The Specialized Preparation Courses can be completed while the student is also enrolled in one or more of the Advanced Administration Courses. These courses include:
Course List
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Code |
Title |
Hours |
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Curriculum Renewal |
3 |
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SPED for Educational Administrators |
3 |
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Total Hours |
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6 |
Internship/Practicum
Students pursuing the principal certification program are required to complete EDAD 5375 and EDAD 5376.
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Code |
Title |
Hours |
|---|---|---|
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EDAD 5375 |
Schl. Lead Field-Based Pract I |
3 |
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EDAD 5376 |
Schl. Lead Field-Based Pract Ii |
3 |
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Total Hours |
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6 |
Information on Certification Exam
Are you Ready to Test?
Candidates pursuing certification for Texas Principal as Instructional Leader must complete all the requirements to including passing the appropriate Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES). To ensure that candidates have developed the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to perform successfully on the state certification exams, the EPP requires candidates to first pass a qualifying exam. In addition to completing all other program requirements, candidates must successfully complete all TExES exams required for the Principal as Instructional Leader.
Candidates will take three exams; 1) a qualifying exam, 2) the 268 – TExES Principal as an Instructional Leader, and 3) the 368 – Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL).
Texas Principal as Instructional Leader Certification Information
Upon completion of program coursework and successfully passing the 268 – Principal as Instructional Leader and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) exams, candidates will meet with their major advisor during the final semester to verify that all principal certification requirements have been completed.
Requirements Needed for TExES Principal as Instructional Leader Certificate
Students pursuing the Texas Principal Certification will be required to complete program requirement, training certificates, and professional documents before applying for the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader Certificate to include the following:
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership;
- Curriculum vitae / resume;
- ;
- Service record reflecting two years of teaching experience;
- Successful mastery (>=70%) of the ;
- Successful mastery (>=240 scale score) of the ;
- Successful mastery of the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL);
Assessments Required for Certification
268 – TExES Principal as Instructional Leader
Candidates take two exams to be certified as a Texas as an Instructional Leader – the (268) Principal as Instructional Leader and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL).
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Test Name |
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Test Code |
268 |
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Time |
5 hours |
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Number of Questions |
70 selected-response questions 4 constructed-response questions |
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Format |
Computer-administered test (CAT) |
The exam framework for the Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam is included in the at
During a preparation program, each candidate should expect to experience multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in coaching teachers. Preparation program instructions should include course assignments that allow candidates to plan coaching conferences, video record themselves, reflect, and receive feedback from instructors and/or peers. Candidates should visit with instructors and/or program directors if additional authentic experiences are desired as part of the program.
The interactive practice exam provides candidates with test-taking experience that simulates the operational exam, and with automated results reporting on the selected-response questions.
Candidates who attempt the 268 exam will receive their scores within four weeks. This exam can be retaken after 45 days. The score for your best attempt on each Subject Exam is always retained. You are required to pay the exam fee when registering to retake an exam. You are limited to five attempts to take a certification exam. The five attempts include the first attempt to pass the exam and four retakes. If you are unable to successfully pass the examination after five attempts, you will not be allowed to take the examination again unless the Texas Education Agency approves a .
Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL)
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Test Name |
Performance Assessment for School Leaders |
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Test Code |
368 |
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Number of Tasks |
Three tasks: Task 1 – Problem Solving Task 2 – Supporting Continuous Professional Development Task 3 – Creating a Collaborative Culture |
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Format |
Project- based Candidates will upload documents, artifacts, and videos to portal |
School leadership candidates are now required to submit a performance assessment, the developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The PASL assessment allows the candidate to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills identified as relevant and important for beginning school leaders.
The assessment contains three tasks requiring written commentary and submission of required documents called artifacts. A video of the candidate facilitating a collaborative team during your internship experience is required as one of the components for Task 3. Task responses can be created throughout the clinical experience rather than at the end, allowing the candidate to continually refine their professional practice.
This assessment is administered twice per year during pre-established submission windows. Candidates have approximately two months to upload and submit their task responses to the online submission system. Dates and deadlines can be found at
Additional Requirements for Certification
Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS)
Texas has developed a new evaluation system for teachers, the . The system consists of an evaluation rubric, a goal-setting and professional development plan, and a student growth measure embedded in processes of support that encourage professional growth, goal identification, and the establishment of strengths, as well as professional development needs.
T-TESS was designed to extend beyond the current teacher evaluation system, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS), so that the evaluation process promotes professional growth at all levels of the organization.
Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL) Training
Administrators must be knowledgeable in curriculum and instruction, must be skillful in data gathering and analysis, must be able to set goals, must be skillful in conducting effective conferences, must have team-building skills and conflict resolution skills, and have mentoring and coaching skills. In order to meet these expectations, the Texas Education Agency and ESC Region 13 have developed . This three-day engaging and research-based training is required for teacher appraisers along with T-TESS evaluation training.
For any additional information, please contact the Educational Leadership Program Advisor at 915.747.5300.
Notification of potential ineligibility for certification
Any individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. For more information, please refer to the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in . Individuals have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).