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New Century Educational Leadership Program

The New Century Educational Leadership Program (NCELP) provides for an alternative delivery of the Master of Education and principal certification program. The program is designed to prepare individuals for challenging and productive roles as campus-level and central office- level administrators in Texas public schools through quality educational experiences that stimulate and encourage intellectual, personal, and professional growth and a strong commitment to education and those served.

NCELP is not designed to replace or detract from the traditional certification program at Tarleton or any other university. NCELP is a collaborative administrator preparation program between Tarleton State University and public school districts in Texas. Through NCELP, interns earn a Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Principal certificate that enables the interns to accept administrative positions in Texas public schools.

The NCELP is designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree or higher, who have a record of exemplary academic achievement and/or work experience, and who have demonstrated leadership qualities. Certification is earned through a combination of intensive summer coursework and monthly seminars coupled with the possibility of a paid, threesemester internship in an administrative position with a public school. The internship is jointly sponsored and supervised by Tarleton State University and the participating school district. Interns develop professional administrative knowledge and skills through the combination of University classes and practical administrative experiences. Persons who meet all requirements of the NCELP program but who do not have an administrative position may still be considered for the program. These persons would have fewer hours in the internship and would be required to take additional courses.

Admission to New Century Educational Leadership Program

NCELP applicants must present a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on the last 60 hours. Further, applicants with bachelor’s degrees must present evidence of at least three years of successful experience in a position with leadership responsibilities.  Applicants with graduate degrees must present evidence of at least two years of such experience. All applicants must document at least three years of teaching experience.  In addition, applicants must successfully complete an intensive screening process that includes a formal presentation and input from public school administrators familiar with the applicant.  Concurrent with applying for admission to NCELP, applicants must also apply for admission to the College of Graduate Studies at Tarleton. An acceptable score on the general test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required by Tarleton for admission to graduate school. The applicant must secure a position in a public school in Texas in which he/she executes administrative responsibilities during at least 30% of his/her duty hours within the school day.  Additional requirements also apply to NCELP applicants. Persons interested in applying for the program should contact the NCELP Director in the E.J. Howell Building Room 105 or by telephone at (254) 968-9792 or by contacting the NCELP program specialist at (254) 968-9805.  Information about NCELP may be found at NCELP.

Typical Curriculum and Schedule

Recommendation for Certification

Recommendation for certification by Tarleton State University and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies will be forwarded to the State Board for Educator Certification only after the student has successfully completed:

• the designated course of study
• documentation of two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher (TAC § 241.25), and
• successful performance on the Principal Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES).

Students will be allowed to register for the TExES during the last semester of the course of study and just prior to completing the professional development requirements Students who fail to register and take the TExES within 24 months after the date of completing the requirements listed must request permission from the Department Head prior to registering for the TExES. The Department Head may require additional study to ensure that the student is current in the knowledge and skills delineated in the Standards for the Principal Certificate. The additional study may include, but is not limited to, additional course work.

Students who fail to satisfactorily complete the TExES must receive permission from the Department Head prior to registering for a subsequent attempt on the TExES. The Department Head may require additional study to ensure that the student is current in the knowledge and skills in delineated in the Standards for the Principal Certificate. The additional study may include, but is not limited to, additional course work.