Master's in Educational Administration

The School of Education’s Master of Education program will lead students to earn a graduate degree in Educational Administration. This 30-semester hour program prepares students with the skills and knowledge required for leadership careers at campus or central office administration positions. Graduates will earn their Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL) certification and be prepared to earn their Texas Principal Certificate following this program.

 

Core Principles of Educational Leadership
The UNT-Dallas School of Education is committed to training effective leaders to advance 21st century schools. We recognize that educational administration is a challenging and rewarding career path that requires unique skills and competencies. The Master’s in Educational Administration program emphasizes real-world understanding and practical application of leadership principles with a specialized focus on:

  • Urban Education

  • Multicultural Education

  • Ethical Leadership

  • Social Justice

  • Community Schools

Our graduates will gain a deep understanding of these core concepts, allowing them to provide skillful and authentic leadership in any educational setting. Our program is committed to developing leaders with practical knowledge and understanding to support the evolving needs of K-12 education while driving student achievement.

Join the UNT Dallas Principal Preparation M.Ed. program and over two years you will:

  • Build a supportive network of professional leadership colleagues
  • Experience small classes and hands-on support from dedicated university professors
  • Engage in challenging and stimulating professional dialogue around issues of 21st century urban school leadership
  • Complete 30 credit hours (including 3 credit hours internship required for Texas principal certification) course work aimed toward meeting the challenges and opportunities of working in diverse and dynamic educational environments
  • Earn TEA required certification in Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL)
  • Develop the knowledge and skill needed to successfully pass the TExES principal certification exam
  • Graduate with the confidence and enthusiasm necessary to secure and succeed in campus or central office level leadership in public or private educational institutions

Career Opportunities for leadership positions in the field of education include such job titles as: Principal, Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Dean of Instruction, Supervisor, Department Chair, Director at the central school district office (such as Bilingual Education, Curriculum, Special Education), Athletic Director,  Education Service Center coordinators, directors, and other types of leadership roles in public and private schools or educational agencies.

UNT-Dallas School of Education’s graduate program offers:

  • Lower-cost tuition from the only public university in Dallas
  • Flexible scheduling with hybrid courses
  • Face-to-face instruction from experienced educators, administrators, and superintendents from area school districts
  • Hands-on internship and practicum experience
  • TEA-required AEL certification
  • Development and preparation to pass TExES principal certification exam

Admission Procedure

  1. Submit the following to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
    • Graduate School Application for Admission (www.applytexas.org)
      • Select the program of your choosing in the “Select your major” section.
        • Educational Leadership, M.Ed.
        • Graduate Non-degree (if you already have a master’s degree and pursuing Principal Certification only)
    • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
       
  2. Submit the following admissions documents to the Educational Leadership Program Office.

Documents may be scanned and emailed to Jerry.Burkett@untdallas.edu or mailed to:

Dr. Jerry Burkett, c/o Christine Pruitt
UNT Dallas
7300 University Hills Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75241

Admission Standards

  • Applicants must have at least 3.0 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours of work prior to receiving the bachelor’s degree, or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work, to be considered for unconditional admission to the UNT Graduate School for studies at the master’s level.  Applicants who have already completed a master’s degree must have at least at 3.4 GPA on the master’s or meet the undergraduate GPA standards.  Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements may be considered for a GPA waiver based on the strength of the department application.
  • Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Applicants must hold at least a provisional teacher certificate.
  • Applicants must have at least two (2) years creditable teaching experience in K-12 public or private schools prior to beginning course work.

Recommended Course Sequence

Degree and Certification plans are prepared in the 5300 course.  After the student has completed the four core courses, the student may apply for Internship (EDAD 5500).  Once the student is enrolled in the internship, the faculty Internship Supervisor becomes the advisor for the remainder of the program.  In preparing the degree plan, a student may transfer up to six (6) semester hours of course work from another institution with advisor and UNT Dallas Graduate School permission.  Students have six years to complete the degree.  Work that is more than six years old at the time of your graduation cannot be counted toward the master’s degree.  Students must apply for graduation in the final semester of course work in order to receive the degree.

Core Courses (Courses must be taken prior to Professional Courses)
EDAD 5300 – Introduction to Educational Leadership
EDAD 5330 – Instructional Leadership
EDAD 5360 – Leadership for Social Justice
EDAD 5390 – Campus Level School Law

Internship
EDAD 5500 – Internship (after core is completed)
Students must apply for the internship in advance by the appropriate deadline as stated on the application. Internship must be taken prior to the Practicum course for students seeking principal certification.

Professional Courses
EDAD 5610 – Communications and Public Relations
EDAD 5620 – Leadership for Student Educational Services
EDAD 5640 – School Resource Alignment for Student Achievement
EDAD 5680 – Leadership of the K-12 Curriculum

Final Course
EDAD 5700 – Practicum in Educational Leadership (Must be final course taken in the final semester) Students must apply for the practicum in advance by the appropriate deadline as stated on the application.  Students cannot take the practicum (5700) and the internship (EDAD 5500) in the same semester.  Internship must be taken prior to the Practicum course for students seeking principal certification.

Principal Certification Only
Students who already have a master's degree in another area are eligible to pursue principal certification only.  You can complete a certification plan in consultation with the Certification Officer, Christine Pruitt.  The certification officer along with the Educational Leadership program coordinator determines the courses needed for the certification and the transferability of courses.  Transfer hours must be at the 5000-level or higher and may not be older than six (6) years when the certification requirements are completed.

The following courses are typically what students will need for the certification only option:

  • EDAD 5300: Introduction to Educational Leadership
  • EDAD 5330: Instructional Leadership
  • EDAD 5360: Leadership for Social Justice
  • EDAD 5390: Campus Level School Law
  • EDAD 5620: Leadership of Student Educational Services
  • EDAD 5640: School Resource Alignment for Student Achievement
  • EDAD 5700*(FINAL COURSE): Practicum in Educational Leadership