Program Overview
The fully online Superintendent Certification Program was collaboratively developed by The University of Texas at Arlington and area school district personnel to ensure that program participants acquire the skills and background information needed to become practicing superintendents. This non-thesis certificate program (15 semester credit hours, 6 courses) is fully aligned with the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards and designed for administrators who already have principal certification and a conferred master’s degree who want to advance in the K-12 education arena.
Why Choose UTA Online:
Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. See program map for details. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states may continue in their program without interruption.
Maximize your leadership
Are you ready to serve as a superintendent? UTA Program Director Dr. Diane Patrick explains how to get started.
Program Advantages:
- NCATE accredited
- Committed professors who actively communicate with students
- Courses taught by active and retired superintendents
- Program offers relevant field experience in district-level leadership
- Students can complete the program in two long semesters (fall and spring or spring and fall).
- Strong alumni network
- No thesis
Students should refer to the course syllabus for textbook information.
Certificate Information
Texas Residents
The Superintendent Certification program is an approved educator preparation program in Texas. To be eligible to receive the Standard Superintendent Certification, you must:
- hold, at a minimum, a master's degree from an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency, as recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
- hold, at a minimum, a principal certificate or the equivalent issued under this title or by another state or country;
- currently serve in an administrative position or have 2 years of administrative experience at building or district level;
- successfully complete a Texas approved superintendent educator preparation program and be recommended for certification by that program; the program includes a supervised practicum in an accredited Texas public school or other school approved by the Texas Education Agency and be recommended for certification by that program;
- satisfactorily complete an exam based on the Texas Standards Required for the Superintendent Certification; and
- any other Texas Education Agency (TEA), State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) requirements, and Department requirements
Out-of-State Residents
Out-of-state students seeking certification in their home state must review the requirements for licensure with their home state education agency to determine if completion of the Superintendent Certification at UTA will lead to licensure in their home state.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires candidates seeking certification to complete all practica in a TEA-approved site. Out-of-state students who do not complete the practicum at a UTA College of Education and TEA-approved site and meet all other TEA requirements do not qualify for Texas educator certification. If seeking certification outside of Texas, please work with your state agency in the state in which you are seeking certification to determine eligibility and to complete any additional requirements. Please note that after successful completion of your UTA College of Education degree, you may request a memo indicating your degree completion. UTA cannot recommend out-of-state students for certification and cannot recommend out-of-state students to take Texas certification exam(s). Additionally, UTA faculty and staff cannot complete out-of-state form requests for individuals seeking certification, licensure, and/or endorsements in another state according to TEA.

"The Superintendent Certificate program] helped me have a different perspective. I understand the superintendent’s role more and the central office’s role more. … It gave me a different picture of education."
Dr. Edwin Hood Superintendent Certificate Program Graduate
Tuition
The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing students with a quality, affordable education.
Tuition Guarantee
Did you know if you enroll now and complete your program without interruption, you can lock in your tuition rate? Read more
Additional Tuition Information
All degrees are subject to application fees and graduation fees. Additional fees may apply.
For more information regarding your application fee and tuition, including our Tuition Guarantee, Refund, Cancellation for Non-Payment and/or Reactivation/Readmission policies, please visit our Tuition Policy page.
If you have additional questions regarding payment information, please visit our Payment FAQs
Calendar
Our Superintendent Certification online program offers multiple start dates and is ideal for students who seek to balance a job, a family, an education, and a social life.
NOTE: These start dates are for CONTINUING STUDENTS ONLY.
Course Start | Application Deadline | All Supporting Documents Due | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Session |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/11/2021 | 12/14/2020 | 12/14/2020 | 1/6/2021 | 1/8/2021 | Spring |
Admissions
The UTA College of Education admission process has specific requirements that students must meet to enroll in the Superintendent Certification Online program. Find out the requirements for this online program, what additional materials you should send and where you need to send them below.
View full admission requirements [+]
Out-of-state students will not qualify for Texas educator certification. Therefore, students should review their state's requirements to determine if completion of the Superintendent Certification program at UTA will lead to certification in their state. TOEFL also may be required for students who are interested in applying for educator certification.
- Certified Administrator in state of residence (if applicable)
- Currently serving in an administrative position or 2 years of administrative experience at building or district level
- Master's GPA of 3.75 or 3 professional recommendation letters if Master's GPA is under 3.75 but not lower than 3.0.
- Other documents required for TEA reporting
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As required by Texas HB1508, applicants need to be aware of the following:
- In order to receive a teacher certification in Texas, you must pass a criminal history background check.
- If you have been convicted of an offense that is considered not appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn this certification from the state of Texas.
- You have a right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency prior to admission into this program. The Texas Education Agency currently charges a $50 fee for this criminal history evaluation. View more information on Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation
Have a question? Call us at 866-489-2810.
Courses
Students should refer to the course syllabus for textbook information. Please note that textbook requirements may be subject to change. You will be notified by the course instructor if there are additional textbook requirements.
Students in this program must also purchase Tk20 as part of their course materials for a one-time non-refundable cost. It may be purchased online.
Additional program fees include: $750 for three (3) field-based supervision/practicum observations during the program (three fees of $250 each) and a one-time $55 TEA technology processing fee for Texas certification seeking candidates.
EDAD 6279: Superintendency Internship
Duration: Entire Semester | Credit Hours: 2
This course provides experiences in the various roles and responsibilities of a superintendent of schools under the direction of a school district mentor and a university supervisor. An internship project will be developed in consultation with public school and university personnel.
EDAD 6179: Superintendency Internship
Duration: Entire Semester | Credit Hours: 1
This course provides experiences in the various roles and responsibilities of a superintendent of schools under the direction of a school district mentor and a university supervisor. An internship project will be developed in consultation with public school and university personnel.
EDAD 6378: Advanced Curriculum and Program Assessment
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the processes of implementing district-wide curriculum, programs, and other innovations in school systems. Topics include: recent research on the implementation of change in curriculum and instruction, trends in education, strategic and contextual planning, program and student assessment and accountability, and national curriculum projects.
EDAD 6373: The Superintendency
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces candidates to the many facets of the superintendency with a focus on the challenges facing the superintendent today. Topics include: exercising collaborative leadership, developing a strong organizational culture, dealing with the politics of education, building strong superintendent-board relations, managing the problems of school reform, and planning. Instruction is problem-oriented and included field-based experiences.
EDAD 6371: Administration of Staff, Personnel & Advanced School Law
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on understanding the relationship between motivation and the management of human resources; articulate the basics of team management and group facilitation; identify proper procedures for recruiting, assignment, and inducting personnel; and recognize the legal requirement for suspension, transfer, reduction in force and dismissal of professional personnel.
EDAD 6374: Advanced School Business Administration
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course surveys the principles of public school finance at the local, state, and federal levels. It examines the school budgeting process, methods of school funds accounting and techniques of school business management from a district perspective.
*Per-course tuition based on 3 credit-hour courses.