Superintendent's Credential Certification
Students must complete the 15 credit hours outlined below. After completing the program courses and the practicum, the student must pass the superintendent credential exam (TExES) in order to be certified.
The UTRGV Educator Preparation Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) meeting rigorous standards and processes for educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.
Visit the Graduate College for more information.
Admission Requirements
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. There is no application fee.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the superintendent credential program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley.
- Master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Copy of Educator Certificate showing Principal Certificate.
- Two letters of recommendation with at least one from a superintendent or assistant superintendent.
- Resume.
- A Personal Statement of Leadership and career aspirations.
- A photocopy of the student’s Teacher Service Record.
- Two years administrative experience.
- Personal Interview.
Non-degree seeking students applying for certification related to education are required to have transcripts sent from all institutions attended.
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
- For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- For additional information, visit the International Admission page of our website.
UTRGV Professional Certification Policy
Students in professional certification programs will have two years after program completion to take their certification exam. Within this two year period, program completers who are requesting test approval will be reviewed by the department chair/program coordinator before approval is granted to ensure that all TAC requirements have been met. After the two-year period, program completers requesting testing approval will be reviewed by the department chair/program coordinator so that a new certification plan can be created as needed. This certification plan may include additional coursework or professional development and must be completed before testing approval is granted.
Change in State Standards and Teacher Certification
If TEA certification standards change between the time that the program is complete and the time that certification is sought, the new standards must be met. This may mean taking additional courses or completing additional requirements in the form of a certification plan.
Application Deadlines & Program Contact
Visit the Graduate College Calendar to view a list of application deadlines and program contacts for the Superintendent Certification program.
Interim Program Contact
Jesus Abrego, Ed.D.
(956) 665-7333
jesus.abrego@utrgv.edu
EEDUC 1.510B
Course Requirements
EDUL 7312 Socio-Political Problems of the Superintendent
The course examines the interrelationships of local districts with other political subdivisions through: a study of the impact of power structures upon local education; a review of the influence of professional and non-professional organizations; a study of the influence of community power structures; an analysis of internal forces; and an analysis of board/superintendent governance issues on educational decision making. School Community relations are also emphasized. This course will require 20 clock hours of field based, internship, activities.
Credit Hours: 3
EDUL 7313 Ethics and Decision Making
The course analyzes the decision making issues and dilemmas that confront the school superintendent in today's society. Students are immersed in the decision making process through the use and development of case studies and other simulations that demonstrate hoe the personal values and ethics of school leaders impact their decision making process. This course will require 20 clock hours of field based, internship, activities.
Credit Hours: 3
EDUL 7314 The Superintendent
The course includes a global study of the complex role of the school superintendent. The course focuses on strategic planning, policy development, staff/superintendent/board relations, curriculum and instruction, legal issues, finance, budgeting, and problem solving and decision making in the day to day life of the superintendent. This course will require 20 clock hours of field based, internship, activities.
Credit Hours: 3
EDUL 7315 Texas School Finance and Facilities Administration
The course examines the basic concepts of Texas School Finance including issues involving federal, state and local financial support of education, state financial systems, taxation, budgeting and fiscal management. The course also focuses on the finance of capital programs and includes the planning, maintaining and management of public school facilities; and the organizational management, leadership and decision making processes for effective and efficient finance and operations. This course will require 20 clock hours of field based, internship activities.
Credit Hours: 3
EDUL 7398 Superintendent Practicum
The course offers the student, field based, on-the- job training experiences under the guidance and mentorship of a practicing school superintendent and his/her upper level leadership team; and the supervision of a member of the university faculty, preferably, one who has served as a superintendent. This course will require 160 clock hours of internship activities.
Credit Hours: 3
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