Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Leadership

Choose from three areas of study as you prepare to be a school or district leader.
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Credits 36-42
Format Online

Become an influential leader in education.

As an experienced teacher, you’re already a natural-born leader. For those looking to advance their skills, make a positive impact on students and shape the future of education, earning a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) can be a transformative step in your journey. Our innovative program is designed to foster personal and professional growth while providing a network of professionals to support and guide you to successful degree completion. Develop the leadership and administrative skills necessary to empower you to drive sustained change and educational advocacy in your school or district.

Offered completely online, our fully accredited master's program aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and prepares you for the New Jersey Principal and School Administrator endorsements.

Why Study Educational Leadership at TESU?

The Master's in Educational Leadership program at TESU serves adults who wish to prepare for advanced roles as school and district leaders. Through this rigorous online program, you will develop competencies critical to your personal and professional growth and gain leadership skills that employers value. You will also learn how to articulate the vision of school and student success that considers the complex social and cultural environment of the school, the students and the community. And because our program is based on national professional standards, you will graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary to embrace the challenges and opportunities of today’s educational organizations.

For more than 50 years, Thomas Edison State University has been helping busy, motivated adult learners like you earn career-relevant degrees for in-demand fields. We understand the importance of maintaining your current work and personal commitments and our flexible courses are designed to be taken online and on your schedule.

Fully Accredited

Accreditation matters and our program is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a rigorous, nationally recognized quality benchmark.

View Master's in Educational Leadership Candidate Performance, Demographics and Student Data

Areas of Study

Our innovative Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program offers three areas of focus so you can select the one that best aligns with your personal and professional goals. Learn more below.
  • Building Leadership

    Building Leadership is a 36-credit program that prepares you to earn supervisor and principal endorsements.

    Courses include:

    • Critical Issues and Theories in Curriculum Design and Evaluation, Pre-K-12
    • Staff Supervision and Systems for Professional Learning
    • Developing School and Community Partnerships
    See Full Curriculum
  • District Leadership

    District Leadership is a 42-credit program that prepares you to earn supervisor, principal and school administrator endorsements.

    Courses include:

    • Inquiry and Evidence in the School Context
    • Developing School and Community Partnerships
    • School District Administration
    See Full Curriculum
  • School Business Administration

    School Business Administration is a 36-credit program that prepares you to earn a school business administrator endorsement. You'll take courses in both the School of Business and Management and the Heavin School of Arts and Sciences Educational Leadership Program. This program will prepare you for positions managing the business policies and district program budgets of school organizations.

    Courses include:

    • Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service
    • Economic Issues for Public Service Managers
    • Strategic Leadership for System Change
    See Full Curriculum

Because of my determination to finish my master’s degree in 18 months, despite all of the other challenges, I found that balance, support from my loved ones, and guidance and support from my TESU mentors and coaches was crucial in accomplishing this goal.”

Tiffani Reneau

M.A. '20

Read Tiffani's Story

Course Sequences

For MA in Educational Leadership Candidates who have not taken EDL-7000 before January 2024 follow the new course sequence:
For MA in Educational Leadership Candidates who have taken EDL-7000 before January 2024 follow the original course sequence:
  • Program Innovations

    All candidates and mentors in the MA in Educational Leadership Program have access to the Ed Leadership Network at TESU.

    The objectives of the Network are to:

    • Present essential educational leadership program and professional information in one accessible location.
    • Provide opportunities for students to make “real life” connections to academic content in the program.
    • Provide a space for networking between and among students, mentors and professionals in the field.
    • Provide professional growth and development opportunities for candidates.

    Once admitted to the program, candidates are provided access to the Network, which is housed in the Moodle system.

    Features of the Educational Leadership Network:

    • Program Orientation, Information and Support Resources
    • SchoolSims Simulations: The Network hosts a library of simulations tied to course content in the program. The simulations provide an engaging experience and applied learning to “real life” scenarios. The SchoolSims web-based simulations are designed specifically to enhance educational leaders’ training and education on a range of topics. The simulations provide exposure to real-life scenarios encountered by educators and offers opportunities to build and improve judgment and critical thinking in the education environment. The simulations are also aligned with the professional standards (PSELS and NELP) required for accredited educational leadership programs.
    • Professional Learning: A variety of professional learning webinars are available for candidates in the program that expand upon topics covered in the curriculum. Candidates in the program may receive professional learning credit in their districts by completing the webinars.
    • Professional Organizations: The Network introduces candidates to the relevant professional organizations within the field, and personalized videos inform TESU candidates about the benefits of association with the professional organizations.
    • Contemporary Articles and Readings: The Network hosts a library of contemporary articles relevant to the field of Educational Leadership

Tuition & Financial Aid

At TESU, we’ve been empowering adult learners toward brighter futures for more than 50 years. Learning about the cost of attending TESU is an important step in your college search. See our tuition rates and explore financial aid options to start planning your future.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and GPA of 3.0. Students who do not meet the 3.0 threshold may be considered for restricted admission by submitting a resume and personal statement for the consideration of the Admissions Committee. Applicants must identify a site supervisor who is a New Jersey standard-certified principal or assistant principal and upload the appropriate Site Supervisor Form (PDF) here after applying. Each area of study will have additional requirements.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Take the Next Steps

Interested in the M.A. in Educational Leadership program?

Start your application today, learn more or contact us for more information.

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