Texas Principal Leadership Academy
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Best Suited To
Students seeking a rigorous, practice‑based pathway to prepare for the Principal as Instructional Leader EC–12 exam and make a transformative difference in schools for all students.
Career Objective
To become a solutions‑driven, culturally responsive, data savvy and instructional leader equipped to drive meaningful improvement in K–12 schools.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Summer
Deadline to Apply:
Nominations due November 15
Applications due December 1
Length of Program: 12 months
Program Location: Hybrid
GRE Required? Yes
Lead With Purpose. Transform Texas Schools.
The Texas Principal Leadership Academy (TPLA) is an intensive 12‑month M.Ed. program designed to prepare aspiring school leaders to successfully pass the Principal as Instructional Leader EC–12 exam and step confidently into leadership roles across Texas.
TPLA develops Texas school leaders who are prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners, build strong and inclusive school communities and ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive. This commitment is especially important given the dynamic and rapidly changing landscape of Texas schools.
TPLA Students join a supportive cohort of working educators committed to improving student outcomes through effective school leadership. Throughout the program, students apply new leadership skills directly on their home campuses. Working alongside their principal, they:
- Lead initiatives that contribute to measurable school improvement.
- Use campus data to identify student and staff needs.
- Design and facilitate professional development and learning communities.
Program Co-coordinator
Debra Cantú
Program Co-coordinator
Terrance Green
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Jacinda Herrera
Program Overview
Application Requirements
TPLA Candidate Selection Process
TPLA Candidate Selection Process
The TPLA candidate selection process is rigorous and requires additional materials beyond the Graduate School Application, including:
- Recommendation from current principal.
- Leadership experience in school or district.
- Evidence of effective and equitable school leader qualities.
- Teacher certificate and a minimum of 2 years teaching experience.
- Successful completion of the Assessment Center—a data presentation, interview and teacher observation and feedback session.
Check with the graduate coordinator to ensure you have submitted all required application materials on or before the deadline.
Students must be employed in a district with a certified principal who will serve as a principal supervisor while the student is in the program to ensure the successful completion of the program and principal certification requirements.
Nomination Form
A nomination form due on November 15 must be submitted before beginning the formal application. While nominations made by a school, district or university leader who is familiar with the nominee’s work are preferred, prospective students may self-nominate.
General Graduate School Application Requirements
All graduate students are required to apply to the Graduate School. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the December 1 application deadline to allow us time to process your information.
All materials must be received by the December 1 application deadline, including:
- An unofficial copy of your District Service Record.
- Completed application. This program starts in the Summer semester only, so be sure to select “Summer” in the application.
- 3 Letters of Reference (one must be from current supervisor)
- Statement of Purpose
- GRE scores
- Official Transcripts
- District’s Service Record
- TEA ID Number
Your resume in TPLA Format as required by the Texas Education Agency (template included in our Application Checklist) must be uploaded to your graduate school application via the MyStatus page. This may be done 24-48 hours after submitting the initial application.
Program Application Fee
Mail the $50 Program Application Fee (check or money order ONLY – no cash) to
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
ATTN: ELP Accounting
The University of Texas at Austin, SZB 3.308
1912 Speedway, D5400
Austin, TX 78712-0374
**Candidate name and UT EID must be indicated on the check or money order**
Funds may be used in support of Texas Education Agency (TEA) and TPLA program fees. Please note this fee is separate from and in addition to the UT Austin Graduate School fee.
Application Timelline
September – October
Nominations accepted for the next TPLA Program Cohort. Please remember you must be nominated as part of the application process.
Take the GRE exam unless you have a valid score from within the last five years.
Background Check: All university students who assist in K-12 classrooms as part of their university requirements must submit to a criminal history background check that is required by participating school districts.
October – November
Work on your application! Information about the Graduate School, department and program application requirements can be found on How to Apply.
Nomination Forms are due November 15.
Mandatory Application Information Sessions will address program requirements and answer nominee questions. Candidates must register to attend one session.
Financial Aid information and the FAFSA application are available online. Apply for Financial Aid Now!
Submit ALL required application materials by December 1.
February
Assessment Center: Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an assessment conducted by TPLA faculty and local leaders in education as part of the program selection process on Saturday in February. The assessment may consist of several components including:
- A candidate interview.
- A data prompt presentation
- An observation/role-play exercise.
Invitations will be sent to selected candidates at the end of January.
March
Official Notifications sent to candidates from the Graduate Advisor and from the Graduate School.
April
Acceptance deadline for new students. Candidates will be asked to submit a formal letter of acceptance to the graduate advisor by the end of the month.
May
Transition Camp for incoming admitted TPLA students. All students are expected to attend this weekend session. Program directors will provide dates and details.
June
Classes begin in Austin.
Questions? Email the ELP Graduate Coordinator.
Program Requirements
TPLA students are supported by a team of strong teacher-leaders, including a faculty advisor, a principal supervisor from their home district and a UT field supervisor. The roles and responsibilities of each are provided in the TPLA Handbook, Principal Certification Portfolio Checklist. Students will also review this information further during Assessment Center and their first meeting with the principal and the field supervisor.
Curriculum and Core Values
Our curriculum is evidence-based, drawing from the research and discovery of our highly acclaimed faculty experts who partner with the communities they study and serve. Our program addresses both the individual needs of students and the needs of their schools and communities.
TPLA’s curriculum is built to prepare instructional leaders who:
- Develop capacity for equitable teaching and learning practices aligned to the principal standards.
- Advocate for and ensure research-based support systems for all.
- Foster a school culture that values inclusiveness, diversity and cultural proficiency.
- Build executive leaders to promote ethical policies and practices.
- Partner authentically with families and communities.
- Understand self, community and political context to navigate challenges and issues to drive improvement.
District-Specific Curricula
TPLA co-develops modules with district partners to ensure candidates learn content directly aligned with district priorities and real-world challenges. Each project connects deeply to students’ school and community contexts and prepares leaders to confront inequities and close opportunity gaps—especially for historically underserved students.
TPLA students complete hands‑on inquiry projects that build clarity, courage, and leadership impact. Projects leveraging the students’ own campus data to apply theory to practice:
- A collaborative cohort case study of a school.
- A campus-based yearlong participatory action research project to impact student achievement, teacher growth and school culture.
Degree Requirements
All students must complete the degree requirements below regardless of previous higher education experience. Our classes are held on the UT Austin campus online and on-site at students’ internship partner campuses.
Summer Session I (9 credit hours)
- ELP 684E Public School Leadership
- ELP 394K Special Ed: Procedures and Process for Admin
Summer Session II (6 credit hours)
- ELP 384P Principalship
- ELP 394K ELL/Topics in Bilingual Education
Fall Semester (10 credit hours)
- ELP 384T School Improvement: Instructional Leadership
- ELP 384Q Leading for Equity and Justice in K-12 Schools
- ELP 384D Administration of the Individual School: Elementary & Secondary
- ELP 183N Internship – Requires a certified principal to serve as an intern’s supervisor
Spring Semester (10 credit hours)
- ELP 384L School Law
- ELP 384R School, Family, Community Engagement
- ELP 384D Administration of the Individual School: Elementary & Secondary
- ELP 183N Internship – Requires a certified principal to serve as an intern’s supervisor
Download the Program Plan Worksheet
Students will be recommended for the TEA principal certification exam upon successful completion of the program by their principal mentor and field supervisor. Students will take the exam on their own time while enrolled in the program and are responsible for all exam fees.
To be eligible for the principal certification exam, students must:
- Meet with their principal and UT Field Supervisor in the first few weeks of the fall semester of their internship course to discuss and plan leadership opportunities and clinical experiences.
- Complete 160 internship hours, 80 hours in the fall semester and 80 hours in the spring semester.
- Complete three formal and six informal observations with their UT Field Supervisor in the fall and spring semesters.
- Comply with all TEA-required forms and class assignments.
If a student loses their position with the school district, the student is responsible for finding new employment and/or a certified campus principal supervisor. If not, this may lead to dismissal of the program.
Faculty
Leadership Development *Develops PK-12 school leaders. Designs and coordinates learning objectives, knowledge development, and effective practices for graduate students to apply theory into practice in their internship based on the following learning...
Focuses on school and district leadership, inclusive practices for students with disabilities, and school improvement with an emphasis on improving student achievement and addressing inequities in classrooms, schools, and communities.
Accepting new students
Examines principals and school-community engagement/community development and issues of educational equity and opportunity.
Additional Information
Let us know what your academic interests are within the College of Education and we’ll be in touch.
