Professional and Specialist Teacher Certification Applicants
Professional and specialist teacher certifications are available for principal, counselor, superintendent, and reading specialist. These programs are offered as stand-alone certifications (for those who already have a master's degree) or as part of a master's degree program (master's degree + certification). Refer to each individual departmental section of this catalog for specific information or visit The Graduate College's website.
Admission Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Stand-Alone Certifications (Principal, Superintendent)
Applicants must meet institutional requirements and program requirements for admission consideration. Meeting the stated requirements does not necessarily ensure acceptance into the program.
The items listed below are required for admission consideration:
- Completed online application
- Non-refundable application fee (fee information found on The Graduate College website)
- Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment.
- A 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
The items listed below detail the program requirements:
- non-refundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (upon admission)
- master's degree from a regionally accredited university
- copy of official teaching certificate documenting initial teaching certification (Principal, Superintendent, and Reading Specialist only)
- copy of official teaching service record documenting at least one year's teaching experience in public or accredited private school (Principal, Superintendent, and Reading Specialist only)
- copy of official principal certificate* (for superintendent certification applicants only)
- *
The program will also accept the equivalent of a principal certificate issued by another state or country or the completion of the superintendent certificate application and approval from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to substitute three years' managerial experience in lieu of a principal certificate.
Master's Degree + Certification Programs
| Master's Program | Certification Program |
|---|---|
| Educational Leadership | Principal |
| Reading Education | Reading Specialist |
| Professional Counseling | School Counseling |
Institutional and program requirements are listed on the master’s degree catalog page and The Graduate College web pages for the listed master’s degree + certification programs.
Admission Requirements for International Applicants
Texas State defines an on-campus international student as anyone who is in a non-immigrant visa status including H1-B visa holders. If you are not a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you would be classified as an international student. Students who are not on a visa and are graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence in Texas (please review Senate Bill 1528) are considered domestic applicants.
An online international student is someone who holds citizenship in another country, is not a U.S. permanent resident, and resides outside the U.S. while enrolling in an online program.
The following items, in addition to those listed for U.S. citizens, are required for admission consideration.
- official transcripts (and marksheets if applicable) from every institution attended: one in the native language of the country where the university is located and one certified English translation (if transcripts are issued in a language other than English)
- two copies of the graduation/degree certificate (diploma) showing the type of degree and the date in which the degree was earned, one in the native language of the country where the university is located and one certified English translation.
- official (iBT) TOEFL scores of 78 or higher, with a minimum of 26 on the speaking section and a minimum of 19 in all other sections, if taken on or before January 21, 2026 or official (iBT) TOEFL scores of 4 or higher, with a minimum of 5 on the speaking section and a minimum of 4 in all other sections, if taken after January 21, 2026. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not accept any other English proficiency exams.
Refer to the International Admission Documents section of this catalog or The Graduate College's website for more information about these requirements.
F-1 Visa Enrollment Requirements
A master’s level student under F-1 international student visa status must be enrolled full-time (six semester hours) in the fall and spring terms. A doctoral level student under F-1 international student visa status must be enrolled full-time (nine semester hours) in the fall and spring terms. The only exception to this rule is if you are currently under a Post-Completion OPT period and in good F-1 status. An F-1 student does not have to enroll during the summer if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term. A new initial F-1 student who recently gained admission into the U.S. with a program start date set to begin in the summer session must enroll full-time for that summer session. For more information go to international.txst.edu or contact International Student and Scholar Services at 512.245.7966 or inational@txstate.edu.
