Online Master's in Educational Administration @ KU

• Top 10 Best Education School (among public universities)¹
• Top 30 Best Online Education Graduate Program²
• Accredited under NCATE standards through CAEP
• Complete your course work anytime, anywhere through our innovative online format
• Graduate in as few as two years
• Submit your application with no GRE requirement for admission into the program
• Experience the challenges of over 30 diverse schools and their case-study-based curriculum in the innovative simulated community of Jayhawkville

12 courses, 8 weeks per course, 36 credits

Time to completion: As few as 2 years

Our Admissions Advisors are here to help answer your questions regarding admission requirements and licensure. If you have questions, please email us at onlineinfo@ku.edu or call us at 855-639-7799.

To be considered for admission, prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA equal to or greater than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 should contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

To apply to the online Master's in Educational Administration program, your first step is completing the online application form. Prior to starting the form we recommend that you review our admissions guide. Applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation from qualified individuals. One should be from an immediate supervisor and the other two are required from a leadership position (principal, grade level chair, or instructional coach). The letters should include information regarding qualifications for leadership positions and capacity for rigorous graduate study.

We challenge you to make a difference in the lives of students and teachers in your community, and our curriculum is designed to prepare you with the leadership skills you need to be effective. Graduates of this program can confidently meet the needs of today’s evolving educational environment and improve the policies of their school or district.

This program stresses the fundamental knowledge and policy development skills necessary for an administrator. Improve your knowledge of pedagogy and leadership, expand your understanding of schooling and develop an appreciation of the political, economic and social forces that influence the decisions of educational leaders.

View Course Descriptions

Put theory into practice with KU’s comprehensive, interactive virtual school district – Jayhawkville. Designed from case studies, Jayhawkville has over 30 simulated schools spanning suburban, urban and rural communities, complete with educators and students representing diverse real-world experiences. From test scores to teacher evaluations, demographics to socioeconomic data, Jayhawkville will help prepare you to face the unique challenges of being an educational administrator in your community and discover how to find solutions that work.

View Jayhawkville

The Master’s in Educational Administration program offers two tracks to support your educational goals:

Master’s in Education: Building Leadership Track

• For those seeking master’s-level knowledge and skills to apply in a formal leadership role
• Includes an internship designed to be completed within your existing school environment
• Best for educators looking to transition into a leadership role, either immediately following the program or at some point in the future

Master’s in Education: Non-Licensure Track

• For those seeking master’s-level knowledge and skills, but not licensure
• Best for educators, consultants, advocates and others who want to increase their knowledge of education administration
• Substitutes one courses in place of the internship requirement: C&T 803 Differentiating Curriculum & Instruction
• Satisfactorily complete a written comprehensive master's exam during their final semester

The University of Kansas brings a rich academic tradition into the online environment. The KU School of Education is equally committed to KU’s mission of educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. Our Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies faculty are expert scholars and practitioners who bring diverse experiences from a variety of education settings to the classroom.

Meet the Faculty

This Master of Science in Education (M.S.E) in Educational Administration is ideal for experienced K-12 educators who want to become leaders in their schools and districts. Graduates from this program often move forward in their career as administrators in their school or district, including roles as department heads, assistant principals, principals or athletic directors, or as leaders in non-administrative roles. Learn more about a career in educational administration by viewing our school administrator infographic.

This program prepares you to meet the demands of leadership in today’s complex educational environment so you can make a difference in your school and community. As a successful administrator or teacher leader, you can achieve higher educational standards, initiate school reform and motivate teachers and students to succeed. The graduation requirements for this program can be seen below.

Master's in Education: Building Leadership Track

• Successful completion of all required coursework
• Successful completion of the required hours and experiences in the internship
• Successful completion and submission of the electronic portfolio during the internship experience

Master's in Education: Non-Licensure Track

• Successful completion of all required coursework
• Successful completion and submission of the program comprehensive examination during the final course