51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ

MEd Professional Education Certification Requirements

Last Updated: February 25, 2026

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Educational Administration, M.Ed.

Steps to Complete Professional Certification

This program is designed to provide professional certification and/or a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.). Students may satisfy, in certain instances, the requirements for both the Master's of Education degree and state certification. In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ's Graduate Program, students must meet the criteria for admission to the Professional Education Program:

1. Apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and pay $55 fee

2. Submit a one-page autobiography and electronic presentation

3. Indicate specific professional certification desired

4. Provide a copy of a valid teacher certification

5. Minimum of three years teaching experience

6. Documentation of service record

Formal application to the EPP must be made in the first term of attendance. Application is to be made to the campus education coordinator for review by the campus Teacher Education Committee (TEC).


Capstone Experience

The capstone experience for the M.Ed. in Educational Administration consists of passing a written examination. The oral component consists of the presentation of the student's idea for a "calling card" event. The student's "calling card" is a proposed program or process that they intend to introduce to the school where they are currently working or will do their internship. The "calling card" event presentation will be evaluated by a faculty member/committee. During the internship, students must take the state examination for principal as part of EDAD 6349. The M.Ed. is awarded after completing 36 hours of the program and the capstone experience. EDAD 5337 is a capstone course to be taken the term preceding EDAD 6349. The internship is at the end of the program.


Educational Diagnostics, M.Ed

The Master of Educational Diagnostics is designed to prepare individuals within the education profession to enter the field of diagnostic assessment. The focus of this degree is knowledge of the overall field of special education, exceptionality, and the law; acquisition of the necessary skills involved in instructional strategies for students in special education and how this applies to educational diagnostics; and mastery of test administration, analysis, and report writing. Students engage in academic and professional studies focused on special education instruction, diagnostic assessment, and prescriptive implementations for student growth and progress. The degree program is a minimum of thirty-nine semester hours, including a professional core, a special education core, and a final internship.

This program is designed to provide professional certification and/or a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.). Students must satisfy the requirements for both the Master's of Education degree and/or  state certification. In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ's Graduate Program, students must meet the criteria for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP):

1. Apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and pay $55 fee

2. Submit a one-page autobiography

3. Indicate specific professional certification desired

4. Provide a copy of a valid teacher certification

5. Minimum of three years teaching experience

6. Documentation of service record

Formal application to the EPP must be made in the first term of attendance. Application is to be made to the campus education coordinator for review by the campus Teacher Education Committee (TEC).


School Counselor, M.A. (School of Behavioral & Social Sciences with Don A. Williams School of Education support)

The Master of Arts in School Counseling is designed to prepare individuals within the education profession to provide school counseling services at all levels (EC-12). The M.A. in School Counseling requires 49 hours. While this program is administered by the School of Behavioral & Social Sciences, students are recommended for certification by the Don A. Williams School of Education, who is authorized to recommend candidates for professional certification in school counseling ONLY in the state of Texas. In order to qualify for school counselor certification, a candidate must complete the following, in order as listed:

1. Apply and be accepted to the Graduate School at 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University

2. Apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and pay $55 fee (return application to the Director of School Counseling)

3. Complete an Autobiography (return to the Director of School Counseling)

4. Complete an interview with the Director of the School Counseling (member of the School of Education faculty)

5. Be accepted by the Teacher Education Committee into the EPP 6. Register for CNSL 5110 during the next available session of enrollment after completion of steps 1-5, and complete all required TEA trainings within the course

7. Meet all requirements for school counselor certification, as set forth by the Don A. Williams School of Education

8. Complete TExES School Counselor (252) exam prior to the Practicum in School Counseling (CNSL 5363)

9. Apply for certification through the TEAL during practicum

10. Graduate with a Master’s Degree in Counseling/School Counseling

11. Be recommended for professional certification in School Counseling by the Teacher Education Committee

12. Receive certification in School Counseling from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through ECOS


Superintendent Certification


The Superintendent Certification is designed specifically for the candidate who has obtained a master's degree and has a Principal Certification or central office experience. The certification program requires the completion of fifteen hours of graduate credit and complies with existing standards for professional certification. The program prepares a candidate through course work to be eligible to take the TExES test for certification. Students will be required to pay a $55 fee upon acceptance into the program.

Candidates seeking admission to the graduate program in the Superintendent Certification must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Admissions specified in the Admission section of the catalog.

Admission requirements

1. Graduate Application

2. Application Fee

3. Official Transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution

4. Official Transcript from the master's degree granting institution

5. Copy of Standard Principal or Mid-Management Certification

6. One reference letter from current or previous supervision in a school or agency where the applicant has been employed

7. An official service record for each year of service in a school

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