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College of Education

Principal Certification Only Program

Accelerated Principal Certification

Shape the Future as a Visionary School Leader

Get certified as a school principal through our high-quality, fast-track program! Designed for working educators, this certification-only program can be completed in as few as three semesters — online or hybrid with multiple convenient locations. You’ll build expertise in instructional leadership, school operations, data-informed decision-making, and campus culture to improve outcomes for all learners. Put simply, our Accelerated Principal Certification Program at the University of Houston prepares you for a rewarding, difference-making career as a certified principal in Texas.

Program At A Glance

Highlights of the Accelerated Principal Certification program:

  • Format: Hybrid OR 100% online
  • Locations: Main Campus; Sugar Land Campus; Katy Campus; Cy-Fair ISD
  • Completion time: Typically, 1 year (3 semesters)
  • Semester start: Fall
  • GRE: Not required
  • Deadline to apply: Find all application deadlines.

Eligibility & Requirements

This certification-only program is designed for K-12 educators looking to transition into campus leadership and increase their impact on student achievement.

Requirements include:

  • GPA of 3.0 or higher (based on last degree earned)
  • Master’s degree
  • Valid Texas teacher certification*
  • Teaching experience**

*If you do not hold this certification, apply to the College’s  alternative teacher certification program and finish those requirements before starting the principal program courses.

**Two years teaching experience at the time of acceptance or upon program completion

Career Opportunities

Texas is home to more than 8,000 public schools — and each one relies on certified campus leaders to drive success. With growing demand for principals and assistant principals, certified educators are well-positioned for leadership roles across the state. In the Houston region, many campus leaders earn over $100,000 annually, with top salaries exceeding $200,000 (source: TEA).

Jobs include:

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

Why Choose UH?

  • Proven Success: Our students have a strong pass rate on the Texas 268 principal certification exam (89% in 2022-23) and the Texas 368 performance assessment (100% in 2022-23).
  • Expert Faculty and Mentorship: Learn from supportive professors with real-world experience and a passion for growing future leaders.
  • Powerful Network: Connect with educators in a diverse, dynamic location that includes 100+ school districts (Regions 4 and 6 in Greater Houston).

What You’ll Learn

In line with state standards, the Accelerated Principal Certification program at UH requires the following:

  • Six courses (225 clock hours of content and pedagogy)
  • Practicum in a school district (160 hours)
  • Three field observations (135 minutes) by a UH field supervisor
  • Three site supervisor (campus mentor) progress reports

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

Certification Steps

To earn principal certification in Texas, you must:

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

How to Apply

To take the next step in your school leadership journey, apply today!

Application Requirements

Please read the application instructions and check application deadlines.

*In addition to being admitted into UH, you also must be admitted into our principal certification program. This is a state requirement for all educator-prep programs. UH typically has a high admission rate for those who meet the state requirements. Students should look for more information from the College of Education after being accepted into UH.

Costs & Financial Support

To estimate costs, use the UH tuition calculator (for hours, select 6 hours for typical enrollment). Please note that federal aid is only available for UH degree programs but not for certification-only programs.

Contact Us

For questions or assistance about the Accelerated Principal Certification program at UH, please contact us at elpsprincert@central.uh.edu. We’re happy to help!

Note: An applicant or candidate who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. Please refer to the current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in  §249.16 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter  53, and Texas Education Code, Chapter  21). Applicants/candidates have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227,  Subchapter B, of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).