Texas Principal Leadership Academy

Master’s Program

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy

The Texas Principal Leadership Academy (TPLA) is a 12-month Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) program designed to prepare graduates to take the Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12 exam and become leaders of socially just, equitable and high-achieving public schools in Texas. Our graduates’ first-time exam passing rate is typically 97%, exceeding the state average. 

Thanks to our track record in the employment of principal and assistant principal roles within three years of graduation, our program has earned a Certificate of Commendation from the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Educator Certification in the category of Preparing Educators for Long Term Success for the second year in a row.

TPLA is built on the strengths and historic legacy of preparing public school leaders within our top-ranked Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. The Academy represents the next iteration of our Principalship Program, which has been re-designed and streamlined to meet the needs of school districts across Texas.

TPLA’s purpose is to develop 1,000 equity centered, culturally responsive, data-savvy, and instructional school leaders for public schools in Texas by 2040. These new leaders will relentlessly pursue equity and excellence for all children, an especially urgent priority in light of Texas’s changing demographic landscape.

This program starts in the summer semester only. You must select the “Summer” semester in the ApplyTexas application. If you apply to the wrong semester or incorrect program track in the Educational Leadership and Policy department in the ApplyTexas application, you could be subject to additional application fees. 

Learn more about certification requirements on the Texas Education Agency’s website. 

Multi-Tiered Levels of Support 

Partner districts provide candidates with support in the form of teacher-leaders in the district who share the role of supporting the candidates’ learning and growth as school leaders through on-the-job coaching and mentorship. Supporting teacher-leaders includes a faculty advisor, current mentoring principal from their home district, a UT field supervisor and a graduate of the Cooperative Superintendency Program (CSP). 

Program Features

Curriculum and Core Values

Application Requirements

Application Timeline

Coursework

Faculty

Clinical and Adjunct Faculty

Our History

At a Glance

  • Program Starts: Summer
  • Deadline to Apply:
    Nominations due December 15, Applications due January 15
  • Credit Hours Required: 35
  • Schedule: Full Time
  • Program Location: On Campus
  • GRE Required? Yes
Photo of Debra Cantú

Program Co-coordinator
Debra Cantú

Photo of Terrance Green

Program Co-coordinator
Terrance Green

How to Apply

Find out information about the admission process and application requirements.

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