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Online Master's in Educational Leadership

Make an Impact With an Educational Leadership Master's Degree

Get ready to make an impact by developing your leadership, management, and analysis skills in the online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Help others reach their full potential as educational and corporate leaders.

21st-century students have unique technological, social, and developmental needs. Their success begins with effective school leadership. As an educational leader, you’ll need to know how to guide others as they prepare increasingly resourceful, intelligent students for challenges no one can fully foresee.1

But learning and development don’t stop in the classroom. Every industry and organization needs passionate leaders who help their employees thrive. As a training and development specialist or manager, you can infuse new media and technology into programs that employees learn from and enjoy.2

“The emphasis of the program focuses on equipping the student with skills of enhanced communication, problem-solving strategies, decision making aptitude and viable approaches toward sound team building procedures.” – Craig Sundberg, Program Director

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30

credits

$615

per credit

2

year completion*

Sept•Jan•May

start dates

Online

30

credits

$615

per credit

2

year completion*

Sept•Jan•May

start dates

Online

Thrive in a Variety of Professions

Saint Mary’s tailored the online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership to provide the right expertise for leadership roles, including mentorship, staff development, coordinator, Dean of Students, and more. The courses delve into the foundations of educational leadership with a focus on coaching, team building, and change, enabling you to become a thoughtful, effective educator. Also a chance to examine cultural awareness and applying team-building skills to create an inclusive learning community of diverse members in a multi-cultural and team building course. You’ll complete the coursework in a convenient online format that works well for busy professionals.

Program Highlights

  • Gain education and corporate leadership training
  • Distinguished faculty of administrators
  • Curriculum emphasizes leadership strategy both in and outside of the education industry
  • Course in Multi-Cultural & Team Building
  • Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational leadership and administration is examined
  • Discover scholarships available through our partnerships with several regional and national employers. See if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program. Learn more.

 

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Course List & Requirements

View the courses and requirements for the online Master’s in Educational Leadership.

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Testimonial

“While I benefited significantly from the content of each course, I am most impacted by the thoughtfulness, flexibility, and competency of my instructors. Their actions have taught me how to be a better communicator, risk-taker, leader, agent of change, student advocate, collaborator, and just a stronger and more optimistic version of myself.”

– Vanessa Stultz, MA in Education Leadership Graduate

Share Your Success

Saint Mary’s supports your success by providing you with the tools necessary to not only achieve your professional goals but to share them with the world—especially the digital world.

As part of our commitment, Saint Mary’s offers an opportunity for you to be awarded digital badges. Digital badges are a graphic verification representing your achievement after completing a specific online course or program.

Explore Digital Badges

Admissions

Ready to apply? Learn about taking the next steps.

General Requirements
    • Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree and graduate certificate programs at any time during the year.
    • Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
    • Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.
Prerequisite Coursework and Experience

  • No prior experience is necessary beyond an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution

GMAT and GRE Exam Scores

  • GMAT and GRE scores are not required.

Transfer Credits

  • Students may transfer a maximum of six semester credits earned before admittance upon recommendation of the program director and with approval of the dean.

    All transfer credits are also subject to both graduate school and programmatic criteria.

English Language Proficiency

  • Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.

    Saint Mary’s accepts:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 4 (formerly 72)
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
    • Duolingo with a minimum score of 105
    • International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0
    • Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
    • EIKEN with a minimum of Pre-1
    • Manchester Exam with a minimum score of 360
Application Requirements

  • Applicants must submit the following:
    1. Completed application form.

    2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.)

    Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.

    Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.

    Application Materials should be directed to the Office of Admission
    Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
    2500 Park Avenue
    Minneapolis, MN 55404
    Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu

Application Deadlines

  • Fall semester – August 1
    Spring semester – December 1
    Summer semester term 1 – April 1

    The priority application deadlines are listed but these are general as not all of our programs have a start every semester

Notice of Acceptance

  • You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.

Tuition and Fees

A college education is invaluable. You can take it wherever you want to go or as far as you want to go. The cost of quality education should not get in the way of reaching your goals. Here at Saint Mary’s, we are committed to providing an accessible, quality education that is focused on enhancing your personal and professional growth.

Explore cost breakdowns for tuition and other fees of the Educational Leadership program.

Explore Tuition and Fees

Careers & Salary

The M.A. in Educational Leadership at Saint Mary’s opens career opportunities in higher education administration, administration in private, parochial, and charter schools, dean of students, administrative intern, team leader, or athletic director, and organizational trainers and developers or chief learning officers.

Dean of Students

-

Educational Policy Analyst

-

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

-

Education Program Manager

-

For more information, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, bls.gov/ooh, or professional organizations such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Explore Educational Leadership Careers

What You'll Learn

As a graduate of this program, you will be able to:

  • Provide educational leadership through the use of leadership principles and techniques applicable to educational organizations
  • Communicate effectively to facilitate professional learning communities
  • Evaluate and design curriculum and instruction to ensure and enhance the growth of all learners, especially adults
  • Foster cultural competency by leveraging diversity to assure the growth of the educational organization
  • Manage safe and effective learning environments by utilizing creative supervisory principles and research-based management styles
  • Embrace ethical values to act with responsibility and accountability
  • Assess educational effectiveness by utilizing data-driven practices and technological strategies
  • Examine ways to improve education through quality data collection and analysis
View All Program Outcomes

Related Programs

This master’s program in educational leadership is the first step toward administrative licensure as a principal, superintendent, or director of special education. The state of Minnesota requires a 30 credit master’s degree as a prerequisite for administrative licensure programs. As a pathway to administrative licensure, you will learn foundational leadership skills to prepare you for your future career.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to become a top leader in early childhood, higher education, or a corporate training environment. Is this the right degree program for me?
Yes. In most states, a master's degree is the preferred minimum level of education for top-level leadership candidates in early childhood, higher education, or corporate training environments. The online master's in educational leadership from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota contains the ideal combination of courses in ethics, policy/law, leadership development, and communications training to give you the well-rounded skills you need to pursue your career goals.
I want to become a principal, director of special education, or superintendent. Does this program lead to professional administrative licensure in K-12 public schools?
Administrative licensure requirements vary by state. If your goal is to become a principal, director of special education, or superintendent of a K-12 public school in Minnesota, you will need to complete an education-related master's degree plus complete an administrative licensure preparation program such as our Ed.S. in Educational Administration which includes the coursework and field experience necessary to prepare to become an administrator in Minnesota. If you are looking to become a K-12 public school administrator in another state, it is your responsibility to check with the administrative licensing body in your state for specific licensure preparation requirements.
Will my degree say that it is from an online program?
No. The degree you earn online from Saint Mary's University is identical to the degree offered on campus.
Is this program accredited?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Are there set times when I can start the program?
You may apply for admission to Saint Mary's online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program at any time. After you are admitted, you may begin taking online classes at the start of any semester: spring, summer, or fall.
How long does the program take?
To earn your online master's degree, you will complete 30 credit hours of program work. If you stay on the recommended course schedule of two online Educational Leadership classes per consecutive semester, you will complete your coursework in about 22 months. Advisers are available to help you stay on track.
Can I transfer credits from another university and graduate program?
You may transfer a maximum of six semester credits earned before admittance upon recommendation of the program director and with the approval of the dean. Your transfer credits are subject to both graduate school and programmatic criteria.
Is there a campus residency requirement, or is the program entirely online?
The program is fully online. You do not need to attend Saint Mary's on-ground campuses.
Will I be required to attend online classes during set times?
No. As long as you submit your assignments by the time they are due, you can work and study when it is most convenient for you.
Is this a self-paced program?
No, these are instructor-led courses. While there are no set class times, there are assignments with set due dates.
What are the admissions requirements?
All the information about eligibility and admissions requirements can be found on the admissions section.
What type of support is available to me? What if I have a question about homework or need help with a technical issue?
All of the support systems available to on-campus students at Saint Mary's University are available for online learners as well. If you need academic support, a team of advisers is ready to assist. Professors are just a phone call or email away, and every online Saint Mary's University student is paired with a dedicated student services coordinator who will make sure your educational and professional goals stay on track. Technical support is also available to online students 24/7 at 877-308-9954 ext. 3.
Is financial aid available?
Absolutely. Many different types of financial aid are available to those who qualify. To discuss tuition rates and a number of different financial aid options, call 877-308-9954 to speak with an enrollment counselor.
How do I get started?
Your journey to a more rewarding educational leadership career starts by calling 877-308-9954 to speak with an enrollment counselor, or you can request more information and we'll reach out to you.

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Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Instructional Coordinators.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Postsecondary Education Administrators.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm.
  4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Social and Community Service Managers.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.
  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Training and Development Managers.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm.

*Completion times may vary