Principal’s Credential Certification
The Department of Organization and School Leadership offers Principal
Certification for both students who have a master’s degree in Educational
Leadership and for students who have a master’s degree in a related field. All
students pursuing the principal certificate must meet UTRGV, College of
Education & P16 Integration, and department graduate admission
requirements.
Most of the courses for principal certification are embedded in the
coursework for the master's degree. Once the master's degree is completed,
students who wish to pursue principal certification must apply to the
certification program.
Students who have a master's degree in a related area, such as bilingual
education, reading, school counseling, or other areas are also eligible to apply
for the Principal Credential Program
Admission Requirements
Apply to the UTRGV Graduate College:
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.applytexas.org.
The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants)
can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online
application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Step #2: Register on the UTRGV Recommenders and Document Upload
Webpage (www.utrgv.edu/gradupload). This is where you will request
recommenders and upload program requirement documents, and where
the graduate office will upload your transcripts. If you do not complete this
step, we will not be able to process your application.
Step #3: Request your transcripts and other supporting documentation to
be mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
Review and submit all Program Requirements:






Online application. The university application fee of $50 can be paid
online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All
application fees are non-refundable.
Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United
States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related
field.
Master’s degree in Educational Leadership or related field
Minimum GPA of at least 3.5.
A copy of the student’s Teacher Service Record showing 3 years
teaching experience.( For applicants with Master’s degree in
Educational Leadership)
A copy of the student’s Teacher Service Record showing 5 years
teaching experience, of which two years may be in a professional
supervisory position. ( For applicants with Master’s degree in related
field)





Presentation of the following to the Faculty Admissions Committee. (1
hour)
A. Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
o
Presentation of how you use student performance data to
improve instruction
B. Evidence of Leadership Activities
o Presentation of End‐product from M.Ed. program
o Presentation of school site leadership roles/responsibilities
Evidence of Teaching certificate (Updated)
Evidence of Teacher Service Record
Cleared criminal background check at www.utpa.edu/fcbackground
Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted
directly to UTRGV).
Students whose native language is not English or who studied at a
University outside the U.S.:
 TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on
paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the
TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
For additional information, or exemptions, click here.
 English translation of educational records.
 Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America
(FCSA). For additional information, or exemptions, click here.
Transcripts or any supporting documentation should be sent to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
Program Contact
Program Director: Dr. Rosalinda Hernandez
Phone: (956) 665-3436
E-Mail: [email protected]
Deadlines
Domestic
Fall
July 1
Spring
November 1
Summer I
April 1
Appendix 1
Required Online Student Background Screening
The COE has contracted with a third party, FC Background, to conduct
student criminal background screening. You will not pay UTRGV for this
service but rather electronically to FC Background when accessing their
website. To complete your student criminal background check, log onto the
following website: www.utpa.edu/fcbackground
www.utrgv.edu/grad
Payment will be made directly to FC Background (not UTRGV). Refer any
questions regarding the criminal background check to FC Background at 800388-8827.
Commonly Asked Questions
Which Program do I choose when submitting my background check
information?
Choose Educational Diagnostician, Guidance and Counseling, School
Psychology, Masters of Educational
Administration, Principal, or Superintendent.
What will happen if I choose not to submit to a background check?
You will not be admitted to or be allowed to continue in the program.
What is the cost of the background check?
The fee is $37.89 for students who have lived only in Texas.
What information is required to submit the application?
•
Your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
•
An email address that can be used to communicate with you
regarding this application
•
Your UTPA Student ID number
•
The city, state, zip code, and start and end dates of ALL addresses
at which you have lived, worked or attended school since your 18th birthday.
Exact dates are not required - month and year are all that is requested.
•
A valid credit card
When is the background check due?
The deadlines for submitting your application and payment to FC
Background are August 15th for fall,
May 15th for summer, and December 15th for Spring. You will not be
admitted to or allowed to remain in the specified graduate programs if your
background status is not “cleared.”
Can I use a criminal background check completed elsewhere (e.g., through
the public schools) to meet this requirement?
You will need to complete the criminal background check through FC
Background.
How long does the process take?
This process will take approximately 10 minutes.
Note:
Students admitted only to a Certificate Program are not eligible to obtain a
Student Visa from UTRGV.
Last Revised May 2015
www.utrgv.edu/grad