Principal As Instructional Leader
Certification Program
WHY CHOOSE TO GET YOUR PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION FROM SCHREINER?
Advance your career with our online Principal Certification program, designed for educational leaders who need a professional certification for an administrative position. With our individualized attention and courses structured for working adults.
Program includes free practice exams and provides a course for Principal as Instructional Leader state testing preparation and PASL ( Performance Assessment of School Leaders)
Schreiner University offers a Principal Certification program that is one semester, online only, with options to start in the Fall or Spring (no summer term available). Due to TEA regulations, Schreiner University is unable to admit students that do not have a Texas teaching certification and/or reside in Texas. DOD schools overseas can be considered. Contact the Admission Office for more information.
There are two ways to become a principal in Texas through the Schreiner 100% Online Program: You can complete the Schreiner University Online Master of Education, and then apply to our Principal Certification program; or if you already hold a master’s degree, you can complete your Principal Certification degree by itself in just one semester. The Principal Certification program consists of 12 hours of coursework plus a 6-hour internship which includes the TEA required 160-hour practicum aligned with principal standards.
- Application
- Students can apply at or the Schreiner University application:
- Application fee of $25
- This can be paid online, over the phone, or by check.
- Official final college transcripts
- Valid Texas Teacher Certificate
- Verified 2 years of teaching experience in an accredited Pre K-12 school
- Interview with the Director of Graduate Education
Been Accepted? Here are your next steps…
- Complete your FAFSA or TAFSA
- Complete your commitment form on Schreiner One
- If you are choosing to utilize financial aid, complete your financial aid on Schreiner One
- Set up a payment arrangement for and remaining balance
- Schreiner University PIL Program does not accept candidates who have tested with a previous principal certification program nor do we accept transfer courses in principal certification
- Completed application
- Successful completion of a Master’s Degree with a 3.5 GPA
- Texas-certified teacher with TEA ID
- Interview with Director of Education
- All official transcripts sent to:
Schreiner University
CMB 6228
2100 Memorial Blvd
Kerrville, TX 78028
Or admissions@schreiner.edu
1st semester EDUC 6303: Public School Policy & Administration Procedures
EDUC 6312: Educational Leadership for School Effectiveness &
Learning Performance
EDUC 6301: School Law
EDUC 6305: Instructional Leadership
2nd semester EDUC 6304: The Principalship and Practicum
EDUC 6310: Principal Certification Test Preparation
$8,000 Schreiner Premier Scholarship for employees of partnering organizations. Premier Tuition is $8,000
| Non-Partner Tuition is $10,278
Master of Education Tuition and Fees per semester
Principal Graduate Certification Program (per hour)….$571
MED Program (per hour)….$517
Technology Fee
Full-Time….$200
Part-time….$110
Graduate programs are eligible federal financial aid according to their guidelines
Federal Direct Student Loans up to $20,500 annually
What if I don’t meet the admission criteria?
Students with below a 3.5 GPA for their Master’s degree may still be reviewed by the Director of Education and may be considered due to work history .
Do I have to go full time?
Yes, this program is only offered as a full-time program. The coursework is completed in one semester and the practicum and test prep is completed in another semester.
Can I walk in a graduation ceremony?
Yes, even though the program is 100% online and you are not required to, students may choose to walk in the graduation ceremony following their completion of the degree. We host graduate ceremonies in May and December of each year. Regalia is available for graduate students.
Meet Your Professors!

Dr. Neva Cramer
Dr. Neva Cramer Director of Education and Graduate Studies in Education – research and publications in learning through the arts, trauma informed pedagogy, creating engaging learning environments, and supporting literacy through the visual and communicative arts.
Nvcramer@schreiner.edu
I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist, and there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.
John Steinbeck

Dr. Joan Bowman
Dr. Joan Bowman Associate Professor in Education and Coordinator of the Principal as Instructional Leader Program. – research and presentations in instructional technology and innovative online learning. Dr. Bowman uses her prior experience in public school administrative leadership to train and prepare future educational leaders.
JBowman@schreiner.edu

Dr. Doug Monk
Dr. Doug Monk Assistant Professor in Education- research and presentations in principal preparation. Dr. Monk teaches and supervises pre-service teachers and prepares principal candidates for the state certification exams. As a former teacher and administrator in Texas public schools, he ensures the success of our future professional educators and leaders.
DMonk@schreiner.edu

Liliana Lovisa
Liliana Lovisa, Teacher Certification Officer for Profession in Education. lmlovisa@schreiner.edu



Director of Education
I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. – John Steinbeck
Education
- B.S., Secondary Education
Southwest Texas University
- Speech/Drama and English
Louisiana State University, 1977 - M.A. in Reading, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Louisiana State University, 1994
- Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction
Louisiana State University, 2003
Awards
- Elmore Whitehearst Award for Creative Teaching 2013
- Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity 2015
Presentations and Publications (Most Recent)
- The Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction and Assessment, 6-12M. Hougen, Ed. 2015
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. Part II Chapter 13
Supporting Literacy and Learning through the Visual and Communicative Arts - Transforming Learning in the 21st Century College Classroom through the Arts
The International Journal of Learning in Higher Education, Volume 21, Issue 2, January 2015, pp.15-23. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Published online: January 20, 2015 (Article: Electronic (PDF File; 846.127KB). - Texas Association for Literacy Education Yearbook, Volume 2, Building Momentum, August 2014 Chapter 6: Supporting Literacy Through the Visual and Communicative Arts: Building Momentum in Literacy for 21st Century Digital Learners
- The Learner Conference: The Learner 21st International Conference On Learning. June 14, 2014 New York. Presentation: New Literacies for 21st Century Learners: Making Text Come Alive for Today’s Visual Learners
- Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Annual Conference October 27, 2014 Houston, Texas. Session Presentation: Transforming Classroom Learning Through the Arts
- CSOTTE Annual Conference Oct 19-21- Austin, Texas. Session Presentation: Preparing Pre-service Teachers to Transform the Traditional Classroom through the Visual and Communicative Arts
- Texas Association for Literacy Educators Annual Conference: Inspiring and Transforming Literacy February 21st , 2015. The Woodlands. Texas. Presentation: Art and Literacy: Linking Literacy and the Visual Arts
Dr. Cramer teaches in the MEd and Med plus Teacher Certification program. She is dedicated to helping prepare future professional educators. Dr. Cramer specializes in teaching and learning through the arts. With a background in the performing arts, Dr. Neva has combined her interests and studies to promote literacy through local, regional, and statewide school seminars and workshops, through presentations for the International Literacy Association, the National Council Of Teacher Educators, Texas Association of Literacy Educators, Texas ASCD, National Association of Supervision and Curriculum, CSOTTE, The College Board, and other organizations. She spent five years at Louisiana State University as an instructor for teacher training classes and university supervisor of student teachers. She has over twenty years of experience as a professional educator in the areas of theatre, speech, secondary English, reading and language arts. She is currently an associate professor and the Director of Education and Graduate Studies in Education at Schreiner University
Chair of Principal Certification
Courses Taught at Schreiner University
- Reading/Language Arts
- Foundations of Education
- Effective Leadership for School Effectiveness & Learning Performance
- Administrator Internship – Cert Prep
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
- Curriculum and Assessment
College Courses Taught Prior to Schreiner University
- Professionalism and Human Performance
- Principles of Management
- Principles of Healthcare Management
- Operations Management
- Organizational Behavior & Leadership
Education
- Bachelor of Science – Industrial Technology
Sam Houston State University - Master’s Degree – Education Administration
University of Nebraska - Ph.D. – Elementary and Secondary Supervision
Capella University
Presentations/Publications
- Bowman, J., It’s All About the Students, July 2014
- Bowman, J., The Spyglass, January 2014
- Bowman, J., & Giles, V., Focus on Instruction, July 2012
- Bowman, J., Professional Development and Assessment System, August 2010
- Bowman, J., & Giles, V., Data Day, July 2009
- Bowman, J., Coleman, P., & Gunning, A., Leadership Academy for Aspiring Administrators, February 2006
- Bowman, J. State-Mandated Tests: Are They Fair For All Students? Dissertation, March 2004
- Bowman, J., & Wick, D.T. Schools: The Untapped Resource, Annual Meeting of the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapist. Houston, Texas, January 16, 2004
- Bowman, J., Wick, D.T. & Wick, D. The Children TAAS Left Behind. Presented to Psychology Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 2003
Certifications
- Superintendent Certification
- Region IV ESC for Superintendent Certification Program
- Principal Certification
- Administrative Certification – Nebraska (Principal – 7-12)
- Texas Provisional Teaching Certification
- University of Nebraska Certification of the Standards “Educational Technology Foundation for all Teachers”
- Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)
- Instructional Leadership Development (ILD)
Prior to coming to Schreiner University, Dr. Bowman’s educational experiences included teaching high school students and serving in the administrative positions of assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent. One of her favorite opportunities has been to mentor and train principals because she believes they have the most significant impact on campus culture and teacher and student learning. Dr. Bowman is passionate about learning, teaching and facilitating.
Dr. Joan Bowman is married to Dr. Rodney Bowman and they have three daughters. Joan and her family enjoy being together and their favorite activity is participating in runs – especially the Houston Marathon. The Bowman’s have run many marathons and half marathons including the Disney Goofy Challenge and the Disney Princess Run.
Dr. Bowman has lived in the greater Houston area for many years and she is excited to experience the “hill country” lifestyle and become a part of the Schreiner family.
Certification Officer
Let’s Talk
Contact Us
We would be happy to answer any of your questions!
Special Events
Scheduled events such as Schreiner Saturdays offer a variety of information sessions led by faculty, admissions staff, and students to allow prospective students to see what Schreiner University has to offer.
Daily Events
You will have the opportunity to experience campus on a tour led by a current student as well as meet with a faculty member and one of our admissions team members to talk about your application, scholarships and financial aid! Tours are available Monday through Friday at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.