Master of Education in Educational Leadership

The Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership is designed for professional educators who desire to lead at the building or district level. A licensure-only option is available if you already have a master of education in another specialization.

Career Forecast Stable OutlookAverage Salary $84,280online
A student shakes hands on stage during graduation.

Why study Educational Leadership at Washburn?

Our Educational Leadership program is designed to meet you where you are and get you to your goal of building or district-level leadership. We understand the demands of the teaching profession and have designed this fully online program with that in mind. Your cohort members will be working educators, too.

This is the right program for you if:

  • Want to study online and progress as your schedule allows
  • You are a classroom teacher who desires to move to building-level administration.
  • You are a building-level administrator who wants to lead at the district level.
  • You have a master’s of education in another specialization and you want to take this leap to school or district leadership. Applicants to this program must have a valid teaching license and at least five years of experience in the profession. Our advising team can help you design a plan.

Online advantage

All courses in the Educational Leadership program are offered online and can be taken at your own pace. Most students take 9 to 18 credits per year, finishing the 30-credit program in 2 to 3 years. Start dates are offered in the Spring, Summer and Fall of each year so you can get started right away!

Building Leadership Track

This 30-hour program leads to a M.Ed. in Building Leadership.

Core Courses: The following 14 semester hours are required:

  • ED 665 Introduction to Education Research (3)
  • ED 682 Leadership in Educational Technology (3)
  • SE 610 Learning and Behavior Problems (3)
  • ED 672 Issues in Modern American Education (3)
  • ED 698 Action Research Capstone (2)

Area of Concentration: The following 16 semester hours are required:

  • EA 663 Building A School Learning Culture (4)
  • EA 664 Creating and Evaluation the Instructional Program (4)
  • EA 666 Building Level Management (4)
  • EA 667 Leading and Engaging A Collaborative Environment (4)

Successful completion of the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment (6990) test and a KSDE licensure application lead to an Initial School Leadership License.

Download course plan (PDF)

If you already have a master’s degree, teaching license, and the required experience, a licensure-only option is available through this program. The licensure-only program requires admission and 16 credit hours, earned in these courses:

  • ED 663 Building A School Learning Culture (4)
  • ED 664 Creating and Evaluation the Instructional Program (4)
  • ED 666 Building Level Management (4)
  • ED 667 Leading and Engaging A Collaborative Environment (4)

Download course plan (PDF)

District Leadership Track

If you've been a principal or supervisor and aspire to district-level leadership as a superintendent or director, already have a master's degree and meet other requirements for licensure, just four courses are required.

The following 16 semester hours are required in order to sit for the District Leadership Praxis test (School Superintendent License - 6991)

EA 673: Creating a Systemic District Learning Culture (4 hours)

EA 675: Creating and Evaluating a Systemic Instructional Program (4 hours)

EA 676: District Level Management (4 hours)

EA 677: Building a Systemic Collaborative District Environment (4 hours)

Download program of study (PDF)

GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Education

Department of Education
Carnegie Hall, Room 202
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
Phone: 785.670.1427

back to top button