The following is a list of the top 10 best value residential masters in educational leadership programs in Texas for the 2015-2016 academic year. The ranking is based on full time enrollment cost of attendance at public four year universities. The cost of attendance is based on tuition, fees, books, transportation, room and board, for in state full time graduate students living on campus who will start the program in Fall 2015. These costs are only estimates and are based on published information from each individual institution. For the most current information we suggest contacting the institutions directly.
#1. West Texas A&M University—Canyon
Just south of Amarillo Texas deep in the Texas pan handle you will find the small city of Canyon. Canyon is the home to West Texas A&M University, which is part of the Texas A&M University System. Their current enrollment is estimated to be around 9,000 students strong. The university is approximately 25 miles from the Amarillo International Airport making this campus accessible in a timely manner from anywhere in the region via airplane. If driving is your preference the university is a mere four hour drive from Oklahoma City or nearly six hours from Dallas via State Highway 287.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
West Texas A&M’s Masters of Educational Leadership is a 36 credit hour program with additional coursework required for those seeking Principal or Superintendent certification. A BA degree and two years of teaching experience are a requirement for Principal certification. Of note is the passing rate of the TExES Principal and Superintendent exams which are above the state average according to a 2014 Texas State Board for Educator Certification report.
Accreditation
West Texas A&M University receives its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Cost of Attendance – $15,966
#2. Lamar University-Beaumont
Lamar University is located in Beaumont Texas and currently has an estimated student body above 14,000. The university was established in 1923 as South Park Junior College and was housed in the third floor of the local high school. Decades later Lamar has grown to be a well known institution of higher learning in Texas and beyond. In addition to academic excellence Lamar fields 17 sports team that compete in the Southland Conference as Division I programs.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The masters of education in administration at Lamar is 36 credit hours in length. Program entry requirements include a current teaching certificate, two years of teaching experience and submission of an interview video. The program course work includes a principal internship at the end of the course program.
Accreditation
Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Cost of Attendance – $16,610
#3. The University of Texas—Tyler
UT Tyler is a sister campus of the University of Texas Austin that was established in 1971. Currently UT Tyler is comprised of approximately 8,000 and is an NCAA division III American Southwest Conference university. Situated in east Texas UT Tyler is accessible to to Dallas via IH 20 and is less than a two hour drive from downtown Dallas.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The M.Ed Administration program at UT Tyler requires that the applicant be a Texas resident, have a BA degree, be certified to teach in Texas and have Texas teaching experience. This is a 36 credit hour course program that emphasizes theory and practice with an emphasis on school law.
Accreditation
The University of Texas at Tyler is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $18,637
#4. Tarleton State University—Stephenville
Tarleton State University is part of the Texas A&M University system and is situated in Stephenville Texas which is approximately 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Current enrollment is estimated at 10,000 plus students. Tarleton State University is a member of the Lone Star Conference and an NCAA Division II athletic program.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
Tarleton’s M.Ed in Educational Leadership is a hybrid and face to face format program delivered in Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco. Students who wish to transfer credit hours from another institution may not transfer more than 6 hours. The program is 36 credit hours in length and has a thesis option and a principal internship at the completion of course work.
Accreditation
Tarleton State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $18,959
#5. Texas State University—San Marcos
Formerly known as Southwest Texas State University, Texas State is a thriving university of over 36,000 students that is situated in San Marcos Texas which is nestled half way between San Antonio and Austin. Sports teams at Texas State compete in the Sun Belt Conference and are a NCAA Division I program.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The M. Ed in Educational Leadership degree is a 36 credit hour program that enables the student to maintain their busy lifestyle while earning a degree that will give them the tools to become exemplary school administrators. Additionally Texas State offers PhD and Superintendent certification tracks.
Accreditation
Texas State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $19,218
#6. Midwestern State University—Wichita Falls
On the drive between Dallas and Amarillo you will find Wichita Falls, home to Midwestern State University. Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts school that is one of only four other universities in Texas that are unaffiliated with any Texas university system. Additionally Midwestern State University participates in the Division II of the NCAA and is part of the Lone Star Conference.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
Midwestern State University offers their Ed Leadership degree in a mixed format in fact students are required to have online access in order to properly be prepared for class. This is a 39 credit hour program that is culminated by an internship to in the last semester of course work.
Accreditation
Texas State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $19,842
#7. Prairie View A&M University—Prairie View
Prairie View A&M University is a member of the Texas A&M University System and is a historically African American University. PVU is located in Prairie View Texas which is a mere 45 minute drive south on State Highway 290 into Houston and equally distanced from College Station home of the flagship university in the Texas A&M system.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The M.Ed. program is tailored to students who would like to be administrators in the Texas public school system. Prairie View offers Principal and Superintendent Certification programs to prepare their students for the rigorous certification process. The overall program is a 36 credit hour journey through theory and eventually culminates with a semester practicum as a Principal intern.
Accreditation
Texas State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $19,920
#8. Texas A&M—Commerce
Continuing the legacy of great schools within the Texas A&M system, Texas A&M Commerce is a school with a student body of approximately 12,000. Commerce is a mere one hour drive from Dallas and is situated near Paris, Texas and the Oklahoma border.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The degree program at Texas A&M-Commerce is a 30 credit hour M. Ed program in Educational Administration. These credits also count toward Principal Certification Program. Course work includes a focus in designing curriculum and leadership development.
Accreditation
Texas A&M University-Commerce is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $21,474
#9. Texas A&M—Corpus Christi
Nestled on the banks of Oso Bay, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is yet another member of the Texas A&M University System. With a current enrollment hovering around 12,000 A&M Corpus Christi offers the community a much needed institution of higher learning. Additionally A&M Corpus Christi is in the NCAA Division I system and their teams play in the Southland Conference.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
Texas A&M Corpus Christi strives to maintain a Master’s Program in Educational Administration that prepares students who are working in public school settings to be educator leaders. They are able to do this through learner–centered programming that prepares graduates to meet the challenges of school leadership positions including campus administrators, and central office administration. This is a Masters of Science degree in administration which encompasses 36 credit hours ending with an administrative practicum in the last semester.
Accreditation
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $21,137
#10. University of Texas—Rio Grande Valley
In 2015 the Texas State Legislature dissolved the University of Texas-Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American in favor of a new university, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. From these two former universities one will be created and maintained in two campus settings. The two campuses are in Brownsville and Edinburg respectively and eventually a medical school component will be included.
M.Ed in Education Program Details
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership from UT-RGV aims to produce administrators who have a focus in site based management. The program emphasizes school law, finance, and administrative leadership. This is a 36 credit hour program that culminates with a comprehensive exam.
Accreditation
The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $21,599