Educational leaders

Master's in Educational Leadership (MSE) 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: 12/15/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/12/26
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/15/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/12/26

Program Overview

What our online educational leadership master's offers you

The online Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership program at Arkansas State University will help you gain the comprehensive leadership expertise required to ensure schools and students succeed. In addition to foundational coursework in areas such as school administration, personnel management, budgeting and resource allocation, you will choose a specialized elective in elementary or secondary school curriculum.

Expand your knowledge of educational theory, and its practical applications for school leaders. Study education law and professional ethics for administrators. Develop educational research and statistical analysis projects, and learn how to implement research-based instruction in the classroom. Discover best practices in curriculum management, special education administration and student assessment, as well as teacher supervision and performance evaluation.

The program will also help you explore pathways for building positive relationships with parents, education agencies and community stakeholders. Courses are tightly integrated and focused on applying new knowledge and skills, including the final capstone. Continue working full time while studying on your schedule, and finish your degree faster online.

Please refer to the Program Approval Map for eligibility information related to this program.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

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
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

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

  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • District Administrator
  • Dean of Students
  • College Administrator
  • University Registrar
As a graduate, you will be prepared for advanced K-12 leadership roles, such as:+
  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • District Administrator
  • Dean of Students
  • College Administrator
  • University Registrar
+

MSE in Educational Leadership Online FAQs

It will depend on the number of courses you take each term as well as your schedule, especially if you’re working full time. The A-State online MSE in Educational Leadership program is streamlined, accelerated and designed to help you earn your degree faster. Complete 12 seven-week courses and finish in as few as 20 months.
The coursework in online and on-campus educational leadership master’s programs is equivalent, so you will receive the same rigorous education in both formats. You may find online learning easier to manage, however, since it’s so convenient. You’ll never have to travel to campus or spend time in a classroom after a long day at work. The A-State online MSE in Educational Leadership program is designed for working teachers, with the flexibility you need to keep up with career and family responsibilities while achieving your academic goals.
Yes! A-State educational leadership professors who teach online courses also teach in the on-campus program. Our faculty members are practitioners and academics, including former K-12 teachers and administrators. They enjoy sharing their professional experience with master's students.  
Accredited master's programs in educational leadership must meet the highest standards for faculty qualifications, teaching methods, curriculum and graduation rates. Without accreditation, there is no guarantee for students that a degree program meets those academic and professional standards. A-State education licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). CAEP accreditation is the gold standard in educator preparation, highlighting program excellence. The university is also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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: $11,550
Program Duration: As few as 20 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Best Online Master's in Education

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

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: $350
Total Tuition: $11,550

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.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/12/2612/15/2512/15/251/8/261/9/262/27/26
Spring 23/9/262/23/262/23/263/5/263/6/265/1/26

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/15/25
Start Class 1/12/26

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?

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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. For students seeking Building Level Administrator (Principal) licensure in the state of Arkansas, you will need 3 years of teaching experience to acquire this licensure. 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 two years of teaching experience
View all admission requirements +

  • 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 two years of teaching experience
  • Valid, active US teaching certificate
  • Commitment from an appropriate professional who will function as your mentor during the program. View acceptable mentors (PDF).
  • Candidates will be required to submit the self-disposition document provided and verification for teacher effectiveness and leadership abilities

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.

For more information on state eligibility, please visit our State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures page.

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]
Arkansas State was by far the best program for me. I love that it was cost-effective and that I could do it online. I loved the coursework and everything. The way it was set up was super organized, and I was able to go to school and work on my master’s degree and keep working.

Torrence Williams, A-State online MSE in Educational Leadership graduate

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.

Expand All
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.

What is school and community relations?

School and community relations builds reciprocal partnerships between educational institutions and communities to support student success. It involves family communication, collaboration with organizations, media engagement, and leveraging external resources. This practice recognizes that achievement depends on strong home-school connections and coordinated services.

This course examines the concepts, programs and procedures for building and maintaining positive relationships between schools, their constituents and related agencies. Topics include media and public relations, publications and strategies for increasing community and parental involvement. Special emphasis is placed on transitional student support services through collaboration with non-school agencies such as social services, law enforcement and disability service providers.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

Collaboratively engage diverse families to strengthen student learning in and out of school

Cultivate relationships with diverse community members, partners and constituencies to support school improvement and student development

Communicate effectively through oral, written and digital means within organizational, community and political contexts to advocate for school and community needs

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.

What is planning and resource allocation in schools?

Planning and resource allocation in schools strategically distributes financial, human, and physical resources to maximize educational outcomes. It involves needs assessment, budget development, and aligning expenditures with instructional goals. This function requires data-driven decisions, equity considerations, and balancing operational needs with strategic investments.

This course addresses planning and resource allocation in public schools, with a focus on site-based management responsibilities of the principal. Students will engage with leadership standards and competencies through coursework and field experiences, emphasizing ethical leadership and character development. Prerequisite: ELAD 6103.

Upon completion, candidates will be able to:

Engage in professional competencies that support the success and well-being of students and adults

Develop knowledge of leadership standards and competencies

Analyze and apply standards through coursework and fieldwork

Reflect on how leader virtues and character influence others

Cultivate virtues and dispositions that respect human dignity

Develop, model and implement character-centered leadership practices

This course aligns with state educational leadership standards for building-level administrators and emphasizes:

Program-specific leadership virtues

Development of character-centered leaders

Cultivation of practical wisdom

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."
Kevin Hazelrigg, MSE Educational Leadership student

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