Educational leaders

Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Online


This degree program focuses on areas of learning that include developing dispositions, knowledge, and skills to become a building-level school leader and administrator. Build learning communities that support the success of all students, promote continuous organizational improvement, and integrate theory and practice through authentic, performance-based field activities.

Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25

Program Overview


What our online educational leadership master's offers you

The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership degree is designed to develop leaders in the educational community. Through this program, you will focus on areas of learning that include designing curriculum, implementing research-based instructional strategies, using assessments for learning, effectively motivating students and managing your classroom. You will also get to choose an elective specializing in elementary, middle or high school curriculum.

Students are required to complete 33 hours of coursework. The Capstone course is the final course taken and requires that all other courses are successfully completed to enroll. Courses are tightly integrated and focused on application-based curriculum. This program is designed especially for working educators, so study on your schedule and finish your degree faster online.

As licensure requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Live Text.

State Program Approvals (.PDF)

Within this master's degree, students focus on areas of learning that include:

  • Developing dispositions, knowledge and skills to become a building-level school leader and administrator
  • Building learning communities that support the success of all students and promote continuous organizational improvement
  • Integrating theory and practice through authentic, performance-based field activities
  • Developing dispositions, knowledge and skills to become a building-level school leader and administrator
  • Building learning communities that support the success of all students and promote continuous organizational improvement
  • Integrating theory and practice through authentic, performance-based field activities

As a graduate, you will be prepared for advanced K-12 leadership roles, such as:

  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • District Administrator
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • District Administrator
  • Instructional Coordinator

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $11,220
Program Duration: As few as 20 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

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FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION DEGREE

Tuition


Pay for your online MSE program by the course

Our Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership program offers the same affordable tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $11,220

Calendar


A-State Online dates and deadlines

Our MSE in Educational Leadership online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note that the internship course lasts a full semester and only starts in Fall 1 and Spring 1 of terms.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/9/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/28/253/6/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 2/24/25
Start Class 3/10/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Admissions


Follow our streamlined admission requirements

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the MSE in Educational Leadership online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and one year of teaching experience. Make sure to review full admission requirements below. At this time, International students may not be accepted into any Educational Leadership program – only students with a valid US teaching license who are working in a US school district are eligible for this program.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Minimum 1 year of teaching experience

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 2.75 cumulative GPA (or 3.0 on last 60 hours) on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum of 1 year of teaching experience
  • Valid, active US teaching certificate
  • Commitment from a building level administrator who will function as your mentor during the program. View acceptable mentors (.PDF)

Note: If you have below a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA and are admitted, you must make a grade of B or better during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University.

Application submission requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • Provide proof of valid, active US teaching certificate
  • Provide contact information for building level supervisor who will function as your mentor

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Additional information

While not required for admissions, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials will be required prior to registering for your first course.

Unless otherwise noted, Arkansas State University has not confirmed if a program has met requirements for an out-of-state licensure. Please refer to the Program Approval Map to determine which programs are eligible to be offered in States and to find relevant State Agency contact information. Eligibility to offer in a State does not guarantee the program will meet State licensure/ certification requirements.

Please contact your State’s Professional License Department/Board to ensure that your chosen distance education program meets your State’s requirements in which you intend to practice.

Additional required documents

As part of the student's portfolio, the following information is required to be completed prior to registering for the 3rd term (second semester):

  • Video Essay
  • Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials
  • Writing Sample

These additional documents are not required to render an admissions decision.

Appeals process

As part of the student's portfolio, the following information is required to be completed prior to registering for the 3rd term (second semester):

  • Students who fall below the minimum admission requirements (GPA) or who are denied may send a written letter of appeal, GRE or GMAT scores (may be unofficial), and additional supporting information to [email protected]

Best Online Master's in Education

Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2024)

Courses


Read about our MSE in Educational Leadership online classes

Students pursuing this degree must complete 33 credit hours, including core courses (30 credit hours) and one curriculum specialization course (3 credit hours). Educators seeking teaching certification in Arkansas must complete an additional course (3 credit hours) on Arkansas history (read more details below).

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on concepts, programs, and procedures for establishing and maintaining positive relations between the school, its constituents, and related agencies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides an in-depth study of and an exploration into the administrative processes of special education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Addresses planning and resource allocation in public schools with special attention given to site-based management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on constitutional and statutory provisions and court decisions regarding the legal aspects of education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Presents an overview of educational administration for practitioners within the context of ethical and professional behavior.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on authentic problems and activities that require candidates to demonstrate leadership skills and practices integral to school leadership. The internship must be completed during the semester in which a candidate completes the degree.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Presents perspectives, skills, and processes necessary for administrators to manage district and building level curriculum and to formalize the curriculum decision-making process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Combines attributes of supervising teaching with the formal aspects of teacher evaluation via emphasis on adult development, clinical supervision, and evaluation processes and models extant in public schools.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the qualities, dispositions, and characteristics of effective leaders, along with research and evaluation strategies for school improvement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory course in methods and techniques of research, and the statistical treatment and interpretation of research data.

Take one of the following two curriculum courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Emphasizes the selection and organization of content, selection of instructional materials and activities, factors affecting curriculum revision, and current curricular issues in the modern elementary school.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Emphasizes the selection and organization of content, selection of instructional materials and activities, factors affecting curriculum revision, and current curricular issues in the modern secondary school.
Applicants seeking an Arkansas teaching license by reciprocity who hold a valid license from another state in Childhood (P-4), Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Childhood (4-8), or Secondary Social Studies (7-12) must meet an Arkansas History requirement by documentation of the successful completion of three (3) college credit-hours in Arkansas History at an accredited college or university OR a 45-hour professional development piece in Arkansas History through Arkansas IDEAS. Applicants holding a valid license in areas other the four mentioned above do not have to meet the Arkansas History requirement. HIST 3083 History of Arkansas (offered in summer terms only) meets the Arkansas history requirement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Intensive research seminar covering various aspects of Arkansas history.
"I am an Arkansas State student. I take great pride in telling people where I am getting my degree. The classes have challenged me to question, think and solve problems. They have challenged me to be a better person."

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