Available Online

The Masters in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration degree can be completed entirely online. The coursework is delivered synchronously or asynchronously, depending on the program. As part of their academic obligations, students may be required to participate in in-person clinical or internships near their residences or attend an on-campus program on one or two weekends during a semester. NOTE: It is not permissible for international students studying in the United States to pursue a fully online program.

Calendar

See the Dates You Need to Know

The M.A. in Educational Leadership online program features a convenient course schedule with multiple starts a year so you can maintain a balance between work, life and your studies. View the full calendar to find the best start date and corresponding deadlines for you.

Courses

What You’ll Learn in Your Educational Leadership Online Courses

In order to earn the online master’s degree in educational leadership, students must complete 12 courses (35 credit hours), including 32 credit hours of core courses and an additional three credit hours selected in consultation with the graduate advisor. All courses in the program are 7.5 weeks in length, with the exception of a 15-week capstone course. As an online student you will take all your classes with EMU instructors, just like you would if you were here on campus.

General Education courses may be needed for the completion of degree. After admission to the University, your academic adviser will assist in determining which courses are required to ensure your degree completion. Required general education courses can be taken online at the same program rate. For the complete listing of these requirements, visit the EMU general education website.

• Program Courses Expand dropdown
  • EDLD 509: Educational Leadership in a Pluralistic Society Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides analysis of the educational administration issues presented in culturally pluralistic educational environments and examination of sociopolitical context of schools, impact of dominant and subordinate groups and leadership challenges involved in striving for school success for all.
  • EDLD 513: Community Education and Community Relations Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is an exploration of the basic principles and philosophy of community education, its current status and relationship to education and interpretation of the educational institution to a diverse community. Emphasis is on promoting public confidence in schools via two-way communication and community involvement in schools.
  • EDLD 514: Organization and Administration of K-12 Schools Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview of the theories of leadership and organization that shaped the system of American education. Students critically compare the ideas, concepts, issues, broad knowledge and theories about managing, motivating staff, wielding power, leading people, handling conflict, making decisions, working within a bureaucracy and organizing educational institutions to improve learning.
  • EDLD 515: Instructional Leadership Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course promotes development of the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for administrators as they supervise effective, positive instructional programs; principles and procedures for addressing issues related to professional growth and continuous improvement.
  • EDLD 517: Leadership for School Improvement Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is an exploration of knowledge and skills to nurture and sustain school improvement processes. Building capacity and support among staff for initiatives, revising and refining school practice, monitoring progress toward established goals and making decisions regarding effectiveness.
  • EDLD 612: Economics of Public Education Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is an examination of the basic economic, fiscal and legal theories of support for education, tax structures, state aid formulas, federal aid and school budgets.
  • EDLD 617: Administering Human Resources in Education Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course promotes development of an understanding of the issues, problems and practices involved in the administration of personnel programs in education. It is an in-depth exploration of the basic principles of staff administration and high-level morale. For prospective and practicing administrators.
  • EDLD 620: The Principalship Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course examines the role of a school principal in: a) improving curriculum and instruction; b) the establishment of effective operations in a school; and c) establishing avenues for change by an awareness of innovations, materials, technologies and research that are relevant for the elementary, middle and high schools.
  • EDLD 630: Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues of Administration Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    The course discusses the operation of laws; development of legal principles; federal and state relationships to education; authority relationships to education; authority and liability of school boards, administrators and teachers; negligence; discipline and control; professional ethics and related issues.
  • EDLD 687: Master's Internship in Educational Leadership Expand dropdown
    Duration: 15 weeks

    Credit Hours: 2

    This course provides training in administration through actual supervised experience. Arrangements must be approved by advisor and director of the internship program prior to registration. Enrollment limited.
  • EDPS 667: Principles of Educational Research Expand dropdown
    Duration: 7.5 weeks

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course examines basic concepts in understanding and evaluating contemporary educational research, addressing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The focus is on critical understanding of, rather than production of, research.