

Online Master’s in Educational Administration
A single teacher can have an impact on the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of students over the course of their career, one classroom at a time. But that impact multiplies exponentially across an entire school when a teacher steps into an administrative or leadership role. Enacting change on this broader scale takes wisdom, inspiration and hard work—and a set of professional skills that build on existing classroom experience. As an administrative leader, you have the potential to truly make a difference in the lives not just of students but also the teachers who look to you for guidance. These essential roles are also in high demand; the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of PK–12 principals will grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030.2
Whether you're already on an administrative or leadership track, or if you want to make a career change, an online master's in educational administration* from the University of Kansas can help you get there.
Put theory into practice and bridge the space between pedagogy and leadership.
To be an effective leader in education, you need to understand not only pedagogy, but policy development and the political, economic and social forces that influence administrative decisions across the field of education. KU's renowned faculty brings its diverse experience and expert knowledge to each of your classes throughout this program to prepare you with the theoretical and practical understanding you’ll need in your leadership career. Plus, as a student in KU's online educational administration program, you'll also have access to a unique tool to help you explore leadership in a number of different educational settings. Jayhawkville is a comprehensive, interactive virtual school district comprised of more than 30 simulated schools spanning suburban, urban and rural communities, complete with educators and students representing diverse real-world populations and experiences.
In this program, you'll take a top-down approach that encourages you to look at broader issues beyond the scope of a single classroom, at the school. You'll examine the different staff specialists who will compose your team and explore a variety of effective methods to support educators, staff members and students. Ultimately, you'll graduate ready to overcome any challenge you may face as an educational leader.

The Jayhawkville school district is very impressive. It was amazing to see how realistic the Jayhawkville school environment is: the problems posed; the issues the different schools face; the school districts; the economics. It honestly reminds me a lot of the district I'm in now.
Program Details
The online master's in educational administration building leadership track* is designed to prepare graduates to serve as principals or in other formal leadership roles; it meets Kansas licensure endorsement requirements and may qualify graduates to obtain a building leadership licensure endorsement in other states as well. The track requires an administrative internship and a final portfolio project developed and submitted during the internship experience.
Program Details
- 12 courses, 8 weeks per course, 36 credit hours
- Complete in as few as 2 years
- Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere through our innovative online format
- No GRE required for admission
- Accredited under NCATE/CAEP standards
- Experience the challenges of over 30 diverse schools and their case-study-based curricula in the innovative simulated community of Jayhawkville
- Includes an internship designed to be completed within your current school environment
What You'll Learn
You'll explore various administrative roles; learn about education law; examine the national context for education in the U.S.; and focus on how to develop, support and manage staff members—a broad overview of everything you'll need to successfully lead a school. You will also be able to choose electives depending on which elements of the student and classroom experience most interest you. All students following the building leadership track are also required to complete an internship and related portfolio project.
For more detailed information on the topics covered in this program, view the course listings.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the online master's in educational administration building leadership track often move forward in their careers as administrators in their school, including roles as department heads, assistant principals, principals or athletic directors.
*This program is an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in educational administration.
The online master's in educational administration building leadership track program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license of certification in your home state or territory. The website https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas.
The online master's in educational administration non-licensure track* is best for educators, consultants, advocates and others who want to increase their knowledge of educational administration but do not seek licensure or endorsement. Because this track does not require an internship or practicum experience, it does not lead to teacher, principal or other educational licensure. However, this program will help you develop your leadership skills, build your expertise and strengthen your professional qualifications.
Program Details
- 12 courses, 8 weeks per course, 36 credit hours
- Complete in as few as 2 years
- Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere through our innovative online format
- No GRE required for admission
- Accredited under NCATE/CAEP standards
- Experience the challenges of over 30 diverse schools and their case-study-based curricula in the innovative simulated community of Jayhawkville
- Required written comprehensive master's exam during the final semester
Note: In order to enroll in any of these programs, a bachelor's degree is required. No program can guarantee licensure. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements in his or her state and to apply for the licenses or endorsements necessary to his or her career goals. Our department staff and licensure officer can provide individual support during the application process to help you understand your state’s requirements.
Educational Administration Course Descriptions
Our educational administration courses for the online master's in educational administration challenge you to make a difference in the lives of your students and community. This program is for experienced educators looking to make the transition into administration. All courses listed are worth 3 credits.
Please note: Course list and sequence are subject to change.
Core Courses
ELPS 750 - PRINCIPALSHIP
ELPS 756 - DATA-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP
EPSY 715 - UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
ELPS 757 - EDUCATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
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ELPS 752 - EDUCATION LAW
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ELPS 755 - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
ELPS 852 - SCHOOL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
ELPS 854 - STUDENTS IN SOCIETY
SPED 756 - SPECIAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP
ELPS 853 - STAFF EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT
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C&T 806 - INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND MODELS
ELPS 895 - INTERNSHIP
Electives
These elective courses are for non-licensure track students only, who will choose one of the following courses to replace ELPS 895 from the building leadership track.
C&T 801 - PLANNING FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
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C&T 803 - DIFFERENTIATING CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
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SPED 854 - FAMILY AND INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 856 - TRANSITION EDUCATION AND SERVICES FROM CHILDHOOD THROUGH ADULTHOOD
SPED 857 - CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH
SPED 861 - BLENDING ACADEMICS AND TRANSITION
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SPED 863 - STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
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Earn your degree in as few as two years
- Retrieved on February 6, 2022, from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317
- Retrieved on September 26, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm