1. education
2. school

Superintendent’s Credential Certification
Students who possess the Principal Certificate and wish to continue further
study, may pursue the
Superintendent certificate.
Students whose native language is not English or who studied at a
University outside the U.S.:
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The following courses are required for Superintendent Certification
Admissio n Requirements
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Apply to the UTRGV Graduate College:
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.applytexas.org.
The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants)
can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online
application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Step #2: Register on the UTRGV Recommenders and Document Upload
Webpage (www.utrgv.edu/gradupload). This is where you will request
recommenders and upload program requirement documents, and where
the graduate office will upload your transcripts. If you do not complete this
step, we will not be able to process your application.
Step #3: Request your transcripts and other supporting documentation to
be mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
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Transcripts or any supporting documentation should be sent to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
Program Contact
Program Director: Dr. Velma Menchaca.
Phone: (956) 665-2943
E-Mail: menchaca@utpa.edu
Deadlines
Domestic
Review and submit all Program Requirements:
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TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on
paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the
TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
For additional information, or exemptions, click here.
English translation of educational records.
Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America
(FCSA). For additional information, or exemptions, click here.
Online application. The university application fee of $50 can be paid
online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All
application fees are non-refundable.
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.
Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted
directly to UTRGV).
Copy of the Texas Educator Certificate
Two letters of recommendation with at least one from a
superintendent or assistant superintendent.
A Curriculum Vita/Résumé.
A Personal Statement of Leadership and career aspirations.
A photocopy of the student’s Teacher Service Record.
Two years administrative experience
Interview by faculty member.
Fall
Spring
Summer I
July 1
November 15
May 1
Note:
Students admitted only to a Certificate Program are not eligible to obtain a
Student Visa from UTRGV.
www.utrgv.edu/grad
Last Revised April 2015
Program Requirements
Required Courses
EDUL 7312: Socio‐Political Problems
of the Superintendent
EDUL 7313: Ethics and Decision Making
EDUL 7314: The Superintendent
EDUL 7315: Texas School Finance and
Facilities Administration
EDUL 7398: Superintendent Practicum
Total hours required for completion:
15
3
3
3
3
3
15
Course Descriptions:
EDUL 7312: Socio‐Political Problems
of the Superintendent
[3‐0]
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.
EDUL 7313: Ethics and Decision Making [3‐0]
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
how 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.
EDUL 7314: The Superintendent
[3‐0]
The course includes a comprehensive 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.
EDUL 7315: Texas School Finance and
Facilities Administration
[3‐0]
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.
EDUL 7398: Superintendent Practicum [3‐0]
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.