Make a Difference

Advance your career as a leader in Texas school districts with East Texas A&M University’s fully online Superintendent Certification program. Offered independently or alongside a Doctorate in Educational Administration, this 15-hour program is designed to provide essential skills in school finance, facility planning, employee management and human resources. Guided by our expert faculty, you can gain hands-on experience through a semester-long practicum, helping you prepare to lead school districts with confidence and expertise.

Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.

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What Are My Job Opportunities?

A superintendent certification from East Texas A&M University can help qualify you for leadership roles.

Career Possibilities

Superintendent
$ $102,610
School Principal
$ 103,460

Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

Taking Classes

Our fully online program is designed for current educators and aspiring leaders. This program provides the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule through asynchronous online classes, with no in-person requirements.

Please check the schedule of classes for course offerings, locations and times, as they may change.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Our online program has entry points in January, June and August, and includes the superintendent block. The Region 10 program offers one entry point each January. Both programs include three core courses and a practicum which includes two concurrent courses. The practicum includes observations (formal and informal), job shadowing, work experience at the executive level and site mentoring per the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 228, Rule 228.35.

Program Layout

You must be admitted into the certification program and complete at least two of the three core courses before enrolling in practicum courses.

  • EDAD 628 School District CEO Leadership: The Superintendent
  • EDAD 611: School District CEO Leadership: The Practicum

If you have been admitted to the educational leadership doctoral program and the superintendent certification program, you may take the three core certification courses as electives for the doctoral program. Core courses include EDAD 620, EDAD 627 and EDAD 651.

View our Superintendent Certification Handbook for more information.

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ESC Region 10 Partnership

Offered exclusively for ISD employees from ESC Region 10, the East Texas A&M Region 10 Superintendent Certification program is a collaborative partnership that provides Region 10 candidates seeking superintendent certification with an excellent, relevant and personalized education. Through our partnership, we have created an innovative and rich learning experience in a face-to-face setting. You will be engaged in meaningful experiences that will pique your intellectual curiosity.

Alternative and Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

This program is uniquely designed for those who have previously earned their bachelor's degree and now seek to make a career transition into the teaching profession. This is a non-degree seeking program for those wishing to obtain a Texas teacher certification without obtaining a master's degree.

Post-Baccalaureate Alternative Certification: For those wishing to pursue a master's degree and obtain a Texas teacher certification, we have four master's programs specifically geared toward achieving your certification. You can choose from a Master of Science in: Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood, Secondary Education, or Special Education.

Finding My Community

We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Teresa J. Farler, Ed.D.

Faculty
Learning is a journey. In this journey, learners are self-motivated to discover new knowledge and ex…

Melissa Guerrero Arrambide EDD

Alum Faculty
The true essence of joy comes in knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of others. Pu…

Nathan Templeton, Ed.D.

Faculty
At East Texas A&M, you're more than a person … you're a heartbeat of reality and the reason fo…

Student Organizations

Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.

At East Texas A&M University, student organizations play a key role in professional development and networking. Two main groups are the Future Educators Association (FEA), which supports aspiring educators, and the National Association of School Administrators (NASA), dedicated to developing leadership skills for future district leaders. Both offer valuable opportunities for growth, collaboration and career advancement.

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Financing My Future

Financial Aid

Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships

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On-Campus Employment Opportunities

Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.

Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching

Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.

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Cost Before Financial Aid

East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.

for Texas residents

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For non-residents

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are

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TUITION AND FEES
0
Per Semester

Additional Fees May Apply

  • Online Courses ($50 per hour)
  • Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
  • Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)

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How Do I Get Started?

If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.

  • Hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Hold a current Standard Principal, Mid-management or other Texas Administrator certificate
  • Provide evidence of three creditable years of managerial experience in a public school district as approved by TEA
  • Successfully complete the application submission process

Admission Process

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Note: Current educational administration doctoral students do not need to re-apply to the Graduate School. Please contact the department directly at EducationalLeadership@etamu.edu. Applicants who have not already applied to the Graduate School who are seeking superintendent certification only may follow the process below.

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
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  • Select “Superintendent Certification” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
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Submit the following documents to your graduate coordinator after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

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Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator or more information.

Submit proof of current valid Principal Certification including standard principal, mid-management or other Texas administrator certificate.

Submit an educator service record including a minimum of three years of managerial experience in a Texas public school district.

Submit a signed FERPA form.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

Once your application to the Graduate School is complete, you can submit your Superintendent Certification Program Application right away using TK20. If you have any questions, please email your professional certification coordinator.

Your Professional Certification Coordinator

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You will need to have the following documents ready for upload in order to submit the application:

  • Certification fee receipt
  • TEA Assessment fee receipt
  • Educator service record
    • A minimum of three years of managerial experience is required for admission to the superintendent certification program.
  • Standard Texas Principal, Mid-management or other Texas Administrative Certificate
    • Candidates on emergency permits, intern or probationary certificates will not be admitted.
    • An official letter from the Texas Education Agency recognizing your managerial experience as equivalent to a principal certificate will be accepted for this requirement. Directions for submitting this information can be found on the TEA website.
  • Official transcripts from the Graduate Office will be reviewed by the certification office.
    • Official transcripts from all institutions must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to satisfy TEA certification admission requirements.
    • A minimum GPA of 3.25 on a conferred master’s degree is required for admission.
  • Two written screening activities will be completed as part of the application in TK20. Please write your essay and answer the short-answer questions carefully, as these screening activities will be used in determining admission to the program.
If applicable:
  • TEA Transfers
    • If you have previously been admitted to another educator preparation program for superintendent certification.
    • Request that a completed TEA transfer form be sent from your previous program to your professional certification coordinator.
  • Transcripts from outside the United States
    • Contact your professional certification coordinator for any questions about TEA requirements for transcripts from outside the United States.
    • If your official transcripts are from institutions outside the United States and the country of origin is not exempt by TEA, send the following documentation to your professional certification coordinator:
      • A course-by-course evaluation from a TEA-approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Service
      • Minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Please note that TOEFL scores are only valid for a period of two years. Required minimum scores are 24 for Speaking, 22 for Listening, 22 for Reading and 21 for Writing.
        • As of 3/4/2022, a valid standard Texas educator certificate will be accepted in lieu of TOEFL iBT scores.

  • Go to tamuc.tk20.com
  • Scroll down and click “Admissions”
  • Select “Click here to create your account.”
  • Complete the “Create Applicant Account” form.
  • Note: You will be creating a password for this account.
  • Store the password you create in a secure location so you can refer to it later.
  • After completing the “Create Applicant Account” form, TK20 will provide your username.
  • Store your TK20 username and password in a secure location so you can refer to them later.
    • You will use the username to log in to review your admission application once submitted.

  • Log into your TK20 account
    • Click on the “back to login” link.
    • Enter your username and password.
    • Click the green “Log Into Your Account” button.
  • Click on the “Create New Application” button.
  • Select “Superintendent” application
  • Click the “Next” button.
  • Complete the application.

  • Upload documents by clicking on the “+ Select File(s)” button for the item you are uploading.
  • Once you have completed all fields in the application, click the “Submit” button.
  • Look for an email from TK20 confirming your submission.

To check your application status:

  1. Log in to your TK20 Student Admissions account
  2. On the “Home” tab, locate your application under “Recent Messages”
  3. Click on the application.
  4. If you are admitted, the message will indicate your application was “Admitted”
  5. If you lack admission requirements, the message will indicate “Denied.”
    • Click on “Review Document” to view your deficiencies and reason(s) for denial.

Once accepted, please sign and submit the “letter of invitation.”

  • Apply for scholarships once you are admitted.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Note: This program is not eligible for Federal or State loans or grants.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

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Contact the Department

  • Frank Young Education North, B113
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