Program Certificate in Principal Education Online
This online certificate program prepares teachers with a master's degree in the skills and competencies they need to become effective, accountable administrators and leaders of diverse, nurturing learning communities.
Program Overview
Why consider the Certificate in Principal Education online program
The online Program Certificate in Principal Education blends theoretical knowledge and hands-on school leadership experience to give you effective strategies for supporting student learning and achievement. You will learn best practices for integrating technology into the classroom as well as how to engage and partner with stakeholders across the entire school community.
With guidance from experienced educators and superintendents, you will understand the legal, ethical and policy dimensions of education with special emphasis on case law, the Texas Education Code, and federal and state statutes. In addition, you will develop effective strategic planning, personnel management and instructional design skills.
*Price includes distance learning fee.
Accreditation
Lamar University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The M.Ed. in Administration, M.Ed. in Counseling and Development – Prof. School Counseling, and Program Certificate in Principal Education have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 2027.
Tuition
Discover the value of our low-cost tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing the Program Certificate in Principal Education online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Ed Cert. | $342 | $1,026 | $6,156 |
*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified.
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.
Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.
Tuition breakdown:
I chose Lamar University because it was a smart choice. Lamar provided what I needed and the convenience that I required.
Brian T. Jones, Lamar University Student
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Milestones to guide your student journey
The Lamar University principal certification online preparation program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.
| 5 week courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day | TEA Requirement Deadline | Department Required Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 9/30/24 | 9/9/24 | 9/20/24 | 10/30/24 | 9/23/24 | 9/16/24 |
| Fall 3 | 11/4/24 | 10/14/24 | 10/28/24 | 12/5/24 | 10/28/24 | 10/21/24 |
| Spring I | 1/16/25 | 12/26/24 | 1/9/25 | 2/19/25 | 1/9/25 | 1/2/25 |
| Spring II | 2/27/25 | 2/6/25 | 2/20/25 | 4/2/25 | 2/20/25 | 2/13/25 |
| Spring III | 4/7/25 | 3/17/25 | 3/31/25 | 5/7/25 | 3/31/25 | 3/24/25 |
| Summer I | 5/29/25 | 5/8/25 | 5/20/25 | 6/27/25 | 5/22/25 | 5/15/25 |
| Summer II | 6/30/25 | 6/9/25 | 6/23/25 | 7/31/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/16/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/21/25 | 7/31/25 | 8/15/25 | 9/17/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/7/25 |
| Fall 2 | 9/29/25 | 9/8/25 | 9/23/25 | 10/29/25 | 9/22/25 | 9/15/25 |
| Fall 3 | 11/3/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/28/25 | 12/4/25 | 10/27/25 | 10/20/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Steps to being admitted to our online Certificate in Principal Education program
The Program Certificate in Principal Education online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Teaching Certificate
- Master's Degree
University Admission Requirements
- Online Application & Fee: University requirements will be assessed by the online application through ApplyTexas.org. There is a one-time application fee of $25.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
- Master's degree: A master’s degree is required from any of the following disciplines which require initial teacher certification in any academic area/discipline; For example, Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Teacher Counselor, Educational Administration. Conferred master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA will be used for admission purposes.
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Waivers of any experience or certification requirements will be initiated by Lamar University Admissions staff as necessary in instances where they may not apply, such as applications from states that do not require certification for licensure.
Department of Educational Leadership Admission Requirements
The Department of Educational Leadership requires the following for admission to the department programs. Instructions for the department application and reference will be e-mailed to you after your ApplyTexas application is processed. Instructions for submitting the other documents will be e-mailed separately if you are accepted to the program.
- Department application with essay responses.
- Reference from a principal or assistant principal who has supervised you.
- Valid teaching certificate.** This does not include a probationary or permit issued certificate.
- Two years teaching experience. Applicants seeking certification in Texas should request a service record with an authorized signature from their HR office.
- Applicants seeking certification in Texas must conduct practicum/internship activities on a TEA-approved public or private school campus.*** To determine if your school is TEA approved, please use the following links: public school or private school.
Many programs may lead to licensure or certification in other states, but additional coursework or other requirements may be required by your state. Please review this chart for guidance regarding whether a Lamar University program will meet educational requirements in your state. For additional questions, if considering any academic program that leads to professional licensure in a state outside of Texas, please contact our Out-of-State Licensure and Authorization Office.
**Please note that out-of-state students may not be required to meet this criteria.
†Not applicable to out-of-state students unless taking the TExES Principal Exam.
Send all required documents to:
Lamar University Online AdmissionsPO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710
OR
Submit electronically to [email protected]
*All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.
Courses
The topics you’ll study in our online Certificate in Principal Education program
Through 18 hours of coursework, including a capstone internship experience, you will become prepared for state principal certification. Courses are offered on a rotational basis and not every course is offered in each session. EDLD 5311 and EDLD 5398 are offered each session.
How to become a principal in Texas:
The Texas Education Agency requires students in online programs who live and work out of state and who plan to apply for Texas Principal Certification to undergo review of teaching credentials by the Texas Education Agency. The cost to the candidate for this service is $180.
View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.
