School principals shape school culture, support teachers and drive the success of students every day. They set the tone for an entire campus, from how teachers collaborate to how students feel as they walk through the door.
Becoming a school principal requires the right degree, experience and certification. Texas educators can prepare for principalship through the online Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Administration program from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), the 30-credit-hour program is built around key credentialing exams, including the Principal 268 exam and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL).
This guide outlines each step to becoming a school principal. TAMIU’s M.S. program is built to help working teachers in Texas meet each requirement on this list.
What Does a School Principal Do?
A school principal manages the daily operations of a school. They hire and support teachers, oversee the school budget and make sure the building meets state and district standards. Principals also evaluate staff, review student data and work with families to address concerns, all while keeping the campus running smoothly day to day.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), school principals handle curriculum planning, school safety and district compliance as part of their core responsibilities. A 2026 brief from the Learning Policy Institute states that principals shape nearly every driver of school quality, from instructional support to teacher retention to school climate, and that effective leadership has the largest impact in schools serving the most underserved students. Effective principals build a positive school culture and set the tone for how students learn and grow, and that influence compounds over the course of a career.
If you want to lead a school in Texas, the online M.S. in Educational Administration program at TAMIU can help you build the credentials district hiring committees look for. The program is designed for working educators who want to move into administration without stepping away from their current classroom or campus role.
How to Become a School Principal
Most states follow a similar path for school leadership, and the steps below reflect the most common requirements for school principals across the country. Knowing how to become a principal starts with your state’s requirements, since certification rules, exam names and experience minimums vary state by state.
For Texas requirements, check with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the latest guidance, since certification rules can change between legislative sessions. Each step below builds on the one before it, so plan early and move through each stage with purpose.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Nearly every state requires a bachelor’s degree before you can teach or enter a principal preparation program. Most future principals major in education or a related field, which gives them a foundation in child development, classroom management and school systems.
Some states accept degrees in other disciplines as long as you’ve completed a teacher certification program. Choosing coursework that builds strong writing, data analysis and communication skills will also serve you well later since principals rely on those skills when evaluating staff and reporting to their districts.
Step 2: Build Teaching Experience
Teaching experience is one of the most important requirements for school principals. Most states require two to five years in the classroom before you can apply for a preparation program, and Texas sets a minimum of two years of creditable teaching experience under a valid classroom certificate, according to TEA.
This classroom experience shapes how you lead staff and support teachers once you step into the principal role. Years spent managing a classroom give you firsthand insight into curriculum pacing, parent communication and student behavior, all of which come up constantly in campus leadership.
Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration
A master’s degree is the standard credential for aspiring school administrators. Programs cover budget management, curriculum leadership, school law and staff development, giving you a working knowledge of nearly every function a principal oversees.
Graduates of TAMIU’s M.S. in Educational Administration program leave with the skills and principal education requirements needed to lead a school. Built for working educators looking to gain in-demand credentials without pausing their careers, the 30-credit-hour program is delivered 100% online and can be completed in as few as 10 months.
Step 4: Complete a Principal Preparation Program
Most states require a state-approved principal preparation program in addition to your degree. These programs blend leadership coursework with a hands-on practicum, so you apply what you learn in a real school setting under the supervision of a sitting principal.
In Texas, the TEA must approve the program before it counts toward principal certification. TAMIU’s practicum sequence requires field experience across elementary, middle and high school levels so candidates leave with exposure to every grade band.
Step 5: Apply for Your Principal Certification
After you finish your preparation program, you apply for principal certification through your state education agency. In Texas, that means earning the Principal Certificate from TEA, which also requires a master’s degree, a valid teaching certificate and an approved preparation program.
You must also pass the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam and complete the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) before your certificate is issued. Once you hold your certificate, you are eligible to apply for open principal positions in your state. Many candidates begin applying for assistant principal roles while completing their final certification requirements.
Do You Need a Master’s Degree to Become a School Principal?
In most states, yes. A master’s degree is the standard minimum for principal certification. It typically must come from a regionally accredited university.
A few states accept equivalent leadership experience in limited cases, but most require a graduate degree in education or school administration before you can apply. Choosing a program that aligns with your state’s certification exam, such as Texas’s TExES 268 and PASL requirements, can save you time later in the process.
Can You Become a School Principal Without Teaching?
It is rare. Most states set a minimum teaching experience requirement before you can earn principal certification, and Texas requires at least two years of creditable classroom experience under a valid teaching certificate.
Some states offer alternative pathways for candidates with strong leadership backgrounds, but these paths are limited and often require added coursework or state exams. Teaching gives you knowledge of school operations, from lesson planning to parent communication, that is hard to replace with outside experience alone.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Principal?
The timeline depends on where you start. A four-year bachelor’s degree and several years of teaching take time, and most candidates spend two to five years building classroom experience before they even apply to a preparation program.
Add a two-year master’s program, and most principals spend eight to ten years preparing for the role. Some accelerated programs, like TAMIU’s online program, can shorten the master’s portion of that timeline. In contrast, others who pursue an Ed.D. or take on additional leadership roles may take longer before stepping into principalship.
How Much Does a School Principal Make?
According to BLS, the median annual salary for elementary, middle and high school principals as of May 2024 was $104,070, with the lowest-paid 10% earning less than $72,400 and the highest-paid 10% earning more than $165,820. Salaries vary by state, school level and years of experience.
Professional associations such as the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Principals Association (NPA) note that experience, school size and campus needs often drive pay differences beyond the national median. Texas principals tend to earn competitive salaries relative to national averages, and district size and cost of living play significant roles in where an individual salary falls within that range.
Take the Next Step Toward School Leadership With an Online M.S. From TAMIU
Earning your principal certification is a multi-year commitment, but the right graduate program can move you through the process efficiently. TAMIU’s online M.S. in Educational Administration program is built for working educators, pairing certification coursework with the leadership training principals use every day — budgeting, staff supervision, school law and instructional decision-making.
The program’s 7-week courses, pay-as-you-go tuition and six start dates per year let you begin when it works for you and move through coursework at a manageable pace. Beyond certification, the degree positions you for roles beyond the classroom, including assistant principal, principal and instructional coordinator.
About TAMIU’s M.S. in Educational Administration Program
TAMIU’s M.S. in Educational Administration program prepares working educators for principal certification and school leadership roles through flexible, 7-week online courses. Graduates gain practical skills in budgeting, staff supervision, school law and instructional leadership.
Texas A&M International University is a member of The Texas A&M University System. Located in Laredo, Texas, TAMIU offers a range of online graduate programs in education, business and the sciences. The College of Education prepares educators and administrators to lead in diverse, bilingual school communities across Texas and the region. TAMIU graduates are employed in more than 150 school districts throughout the state.
