Program Overview

What Our Online Master's Degree in Educational Leadership Offers You

Be true to your passion for improving the state of education and become an exceptional school leader with Eastern Michigan University's 100% online master’s in educational leadership program. This CAEP-accredited degree program is designed to help you develop the professional leadership, research and management proficiencies you need to improve your school's system.

Gain the knowledge you need to manage school operations and resources and the skills to engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student's academic success and well-being.

Taught by scholar practitioners, this online educational leadership program aligns with ELCC standards and enables you to qualify for the building level principal license in Michigan—in as few as 18 months.

Graduates of the M.A. in Educational Leadership online program will:

• Develop, advocate and enact a shared mission, vision and core values of high-quality education and academic success
• Act ethically and according to professional norms
• Strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices
• Develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment
• Cultivate an inclusive, caring and supportive school community
• Develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel
• Foster a professional community of teachers and other professional staff
• Engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal and mutually beneficial ways
• Manage school operations and resources
• Act as agents of continuous improvement

Educational Leadership Career Paths:

Also available:

Eastern Michigan University offers a variety of graduate education programs and a post-master’s certificate online. Check out our other online education programs.

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.