Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Student success relies on strong educational leaders. According to the 2021 study from the Wallace Foundation, leadership ranks second to teaching in influencing student outcomes.

An online master’s in educational leadership degree enables experienced teachers — and career switchers from different industries —to pursue leadership positions.

They work in elementary, middle school, high school, and colleges and universities as principals, curriculum developers, and researchers who influence policy change.

Do you have what it takes to become an educational leader? Here we highlight the benefits of an online master’s in educational leadership degree, admission requirements, and common career paths after graduation.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

A master’s in educational leadership covers the principles of organizational leadership you need to make change at the school, district, or government level.

In the 2019-2020 academic year, colleges in the United States awarded 18,950 master’s in education leadership degrees.

You can pursue a master of education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in educational leadership, or obtain a master of science (MS) or a master of arts (MA) in educational leadership.

All degree options take about two years when you enroll full time, although accelerated programs offer graduation pathways in as little as 15 months.

To earn a master’s in educational leadership, you need to complete about 30-40 credits. The curriculum builds your leadership competencies and analytic skills. Common courses include educational law, organizational theory, school finance, instructional supervision, and curriculum development. You may also have the chance to specialize in educational technology or higher education.

An M.Ed. degree usually incorporates a culminating experience such as a comprehensive exam and/or internship or independent study. The fieldwork experience provides first-hand experience in a leadership position. If you pursue an MA or MS in educational leadership, you’ll likely need to complete a thesis.

If you want to become an elementary, middle school, or high school principal or administrator working within a school system, consider a program that leads to licensure or certification.

Building on your teaching experience, a licensure program focuses on systems management and operations. The program may adhere to national certification standards, but may not meet requirements for every state.

Non-licensure programs emphasize a macro education that trains you to work inside or outside of a school system, advocating for policy change at legislature or district level. You can also pursue careers working in the nonprofit sector.

Because each online master’s in educational leadership program asks for different admissions materials, you should start the application process early to make sure you qualify for admittance.

For instance, you may need a teaching license and at least two years of experience if you want to enroll in a program that leads to licensure or certification as a principal or administrator. While requirements differ by school, common criteria include:

Graduates of online master’s in educational leadership programs commonly pursue administrator positions in schools. Within elementary, middle, high schools, and colleges you can work as a principal, school administrator, curriculum director, or special director.

Your potential salary depends on your career choice, your prior experience, and the region where you work.

Principals make amedian annual salary of $101,320, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In most states, you’ll need a license to become a principal, a competitive career that will see little employment growth from 2022-2032.

You can also pursue a career as a postsecondary educational administrator who earns a median annual pay of $99,940 (BLS, May 2022). The BLS projects jobs for postsecondary education administrators to increase by 4% from 2022-2032.

Another career path: Instructional coordinator, a career that BLS estimates to grow as fast as other jobs. Instructional coordinators earn a median annual pay of $66,490 (BLS, May 2022)

You can also pursue careers working in government and at nonprofits.

To get an idea what you’ll pay for an online master’s in educational leadership degree, look at the national averages for graduate school. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate tuition at public institutions in the 2020-2021 school year cost $8,910-$14,298. At private colleges in 2020-2021, graduate students paid $13,839-$42,910.

Expect to pay more for your degree if you study out of state and the school does not offer in-state tuition discounts for online learners.

Studying part time can hike up the overall cost of your education; part-time classes may be easier on your schedule, but they lengthen your graduation timeline and the duration of time you spend accruing tuition.

Scholarships and grants, including those listed below, can help you afford an online master’s in educational leadership degree.

No. However, you’ll notice that programs for educational administration and educational leadership have nearly identical curriculum. Education administration focuses on operations in education systems, while educational leaders concentrate their efforts to inspire teachers and change.

It can be. Any success you have in college and in the workforce hinges on what you bring to the table. That said, earning an online master’s in education leadership pays more than a bachelor’s degree. According to the BLS, master’s degree holders make a median weekly salary of $1,660, compared to $1,430 for bachelor’s degree-holders (BLS, May 2023).

Generally, you’ll need to spend about two years earning an online master’s in education leadership degree, if you can study on a full-time basis. Studying part time takes about 3-4 years. Accelerated programs can offer a pathway to graduation in about 11-14 months, depending on your prior college credit.

Educational leaders should have a background in teaching so that they understand the dynamics of an inclusive classroom and needs of teachers and learners. Leaders in academics also need good public speaking skills and the ability to collaborate with others to achieve long-term goals.

Page last reviewed September 26, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ACO Rankings Team.