Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
UMaineOnline is ranked #35 in Best Online Master’s in Education for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
The online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership prepares you to lead a 21st-century educational institution and build positive relationships with the community it serves. You’ll build an understanding of your personal leadership style and organizational dynamics to confidently lead groups and engage stakeholders to achieve academic and institutional goals. This program will provide the skills necessary to support high-quality relationships with others and to make the school a more equitable place for staff, students, and their families.
The Educational Leadership program is for applicants that are:
- Current teachers or other student support professionals (e.g., school counselors, school librarians, etc.)
- Can attend online synchronous classes weekly
- Are able to pay for their coursework without university support
Curriculum
Our curriculum takes a developmental approach to leadership development. Courses are taken in a sequence designed to build your leadership skills as you progress through the program. Throughout your coursework, faculty will support and counsel you in an effort to ensure that you get the most out of the program in a way that works for you.
Year One Courses
Learn how to better understand your school’s environment using different perspectives.
- EAD 560: Functions and Theories of Educational Leadership (3 credits)
- EAD 656: Social and Ethical Foundations of Educational Leadership (3 credits)
- EAD 565: Inquiry and Evaluation in Schools I (3 credits)
Year Two Courses
Explore leadership’s role in shaping interpersonal, interpersonal, and group dynamics.
- EAD 566: Inquiry and Evaluation in Schools II (3 credits)
- EAD 510: Educational Supervision (3 credits)
- EAD 698: Stakeholder Engagement (3 credits)
Year Three Courses
Start practicing your skills and take on leadership roles in your school.
- EAD 563: Individual Leadership: Problems, Paradoxes, and Possibilities (3 credits)
- EAD 690/691: Internship (4 credits)
- EHD 569: Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Students complete a capstone project instead of a thesis that showcases the skills they’ve gained throughout the program.
Elective Courses
Students will consult with an advisor to take three elective courses based on their interests and desired certification (9 credits). Examples include:
- EAD 590: Rural School and Community Leadership (3 credits)
- EAD 531: School Law for Administrators (3 credits)
- EAD 615: The Principalship (3 credits)
- EAD 616: Resource-Based Decision Making for School Leaders (3 credits)
- EAD 651: Organizational Behavior in Education (3 credits)
- EAD 698: Trauma-Responsive School Leadership (3 credits)
- SED 520: Law and Policy Affecting Individuals with Disabilities (3 credits)
Admissions
Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
- Current employment in schools, community agencies, or other educational roles or settings that allow access to student-level data
Application Materials
Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:
- An online application
- A short essay describing your motivation for obtaining an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
- Official academic transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
Contact Us
Have questions about earning your M.Ed. in Educational Leadership online with UMaine? Contact Amanda Cupps, UMaineOnline Senior Advisor, at 207.581.3452 or at amanda.cupps@maine.edu.
Careers
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program prepares students to take leadership roles in positions such as teacher leader, assistant principal, principal, special education director, and curriculum coordinator. Graduates can also use their skills with nonprofit and government agencies specializing in education policy.
This degree can lead to Maine certification in Assistant Building Administrator (Assistant Principal) (045), Curriculum Coordinator (078) or Building Administrator (Principal) (040). Specific information regarding Maine certification is available through the Maine Department of Education.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030 with about 22,100 openings per year. The median annual wage for principals was $98,490 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
Faculty
Our faculty are experienced educational leaders who conduct research in the areas they teach. Their passion and expertise will help you grow as a professional educator and life-long learner.
NC-SARA Statement
This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.
