Master of Science in Educational Leadership - Flexible, Built for Educators
K-State’s College of Education offers an online Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Leadership — a 30-credit program designed for working educators who need flexibility without sacrificing quality.
Whether you’re preparing for a PK–12 building-level principal endorsement or seeking new leadership opportunities outside the classroom, this asynchronous program puts your experience, your schedule and your goals at the center.
Complete this program to meet the requirements for the Kansas building-level principal endorsement.
A Program Designed for Educators like You
Teachers and aspiring leaders often juggle packed schedules, family responsibilities and community commitments. That’s why the asynchronous M.S. in Educational Leadership is built around true flexibility.
Why Choose the K-State’s Master’s of Educational Leadership
- Move through courses on your schedule — start six different times throughout the year.
- Take 3, 6, 9 or 12 credit hours based on what fits your life.
- Choose which enrollment periods to take courses, adjusting when work or family requires it.
- Incorporate your real-world experience into the course assessments
Aligned with the 2018 NELP Standards for Building Leaders, the program helps you build the skills needed for the principalship while honoring the experience and knowledge you already bring.
"For me, what sets this program apart is the relevance of learning. Students in a master's program for educational leadership are teachers. Their work life is already very rigorous, and it's fast-paced. They need a learning model for professional development and graduate school that is flexible, relevant, recent and has some connection to it. That's important to them to keep them motivated throughout the learning experience."
Dr. Paul Erickson,
Course Instructor
Learning That Fits Your Life
Each course uses a variety of learning activities, including video, essay, environmental scan or analysis of practice. These assessments measure your knowledge and skills while allowing you to personalize how you demonstrate your learning.
Each module puts the tools and resources you need right at your fingertips, allowing you to immediately apply what you learn to your current role. Each scenario mirrors authentic leadership situations, helping learners think and act like a principal or district leader in an academic, supportive environment.
Practicum Built Around Your School
You’ll complete 150+ hours of field-based experiences. Your practicum tasks mirror the responsibilities of real school leaders and are evaluated by both your district supervisor and K-State faculty.
Quality Faculty with Real K–12 Experience
Our faculty bring more than 50 years of combined experience as teachers, principals and district leaders — meaning they understand the realities of today’s classrooms and leadership roles.
Curriculum Overview (30 Credits)
- EDLEA 801 Ethical Dimensions of Educational Leadership
- EDLEA 810 Philosophical Analysis of Leadership in Education
- EDLEA 819 Introduction to Education Finance
- EDLEA 820 Data Literacy/Data-Informed Decisions
- EDLEA 831 Educational Law
- EDLEA 835 The Principalship
- EDLEA 836 School–Community Relations
- EDLEA 855 Leadership in Teaching and Learning
- EDLEA 860 Inclusive School Culture
- EDLEA 870 Educational Professional Learning/Human Resource Administration
- EDLEA 889 Practicum in Educational Leadership
Affordable and Accessible
K-State offers the same online tuition rate to all online students, regardless of location. Many students also benefit from scholarships or district support.
Beyond the Master's Program
K-State’s College of Education also offers:
Leadership Licensures
- Building Leadership Licensure
This license qualifies you to be a building principal at the PK–12 level in the state of Kansas. - District Leadership Licensure
This license qualifies you to be a district superintendent at the PK–12 level in the state of Kansas.
Take the Next Step
Whether you want to lead a building, strengthen your instructional impact or advance into broader PK–12 leadership roles, K-State’s M.S. in Educational Leadership gives you the flexibility and support to get there.
For more information about Educational Leadership programs, contact Dr. Royce Ann Collins at edleadership@ksu.edu.
FAQs
The program is a 30-credit master’s degree designed for working educators seeking flexibility as they prepare for PK-12 building-level leadership roles.You apply your knowledge and experience to each course. Learners can complete the program in as little as 5 semesters or take up to seven years, depending on their schedule and credit load. Online courses allow you to start at six different points throughout the year. You progress through each 8-week course and use your experience to show understanding of the concepts. Yes. You can begin during any of six entry points throughout the year: August, mid-October, January, mid-March, May or July. Students regularly change the number of courses they take for each enrollment period, and may skip an enrollment period based on their schedule. Take as few as 3 credit hours, or as many as 12 credit hours each semester, based on what fits your life and responsibilities. Take more courses when you have more time and fewer when life is too busy. You can even skip an enrollment period if you need to, based on your schedule. Yes. We want people in this program with classroom experience. The program structure allows you to leverage your professional experience to demonstrate skills and knowledge. This program is not a good fit for people with only 1 or 2 years of classroom experience. Yes. The curriculum is aligned with the 2018 NELP Standards for Building Leaders and prepares you for PK-12 building-level (principal) licensure in Kansas. Coursework, practicum experiences and assessments collectively build the knowledge and skills required for successful entry-level school leadership roles. You must complete 150 clock hours of guided field experience in your current school district. These experiences connect directly to required coursework and leadership standards. Prompts are provided in each course as to the experiences you should be completing for the practicum. Final assessments may include videos, essays, reflections, environmental scans and real-world analysis of your professional practice. Yes. All coursework is delivered fully online. No campus visits are required. Absolutely. K-State’s experienced faculty, who have extensive PK-12 leadership backgrounds, offer guidance and personalized support throughout your program. Your practicum experiences take place in your current district, and evaluations are completed by your principal or district leader along with K-State faculty. K-State online tuition is the same price for all students, regardless of residency. Scholarship opportunities may be available through K-State financial aid or your district. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and academic progress. For a full breakdown of all tuition and fees, please visit K-State's Online Tuition and Fees website. Yes. Students may qualify for scholarships, district support or federal student aid. K-State’s Master of Educational Leadership is ideal for experienced educators seeking to become PK-12 building leaders or those wanting to expand their influence beyond the classroom while balancing full-time work, family and community commitments. Yes, we would love for you to come to campus and participate in the Commencement ceremony when you graduate. The faculty will be very happy to welcome you to campus and always love the opportunity to meet students in person.