25 Best Master’s in Educational Administration

With one of the world’s largest library systems, the University of Washington-Seattle is a top choice for aspiring academics. After all, the school has more than 26 university libraries, along with degrees offered in 140 departments in various colleges and schools. That kind of academic prestige is absolutely essential when you’re pursuing any kind of degree, but especially a master’s in educational administration.

After all, you want a school that not only walks the walk but talks the talk—and at UW, you’re sure to get both. Your in-class learning will be supplemented by a multitude of campus experiences. The program in educational policy, organization, and leadership is a P-12 program at UW that prepares aspiring educational leaders with numerous hands-on activities.

Not only will you be able to learn about and improve the research and practical applications of organizations, education policy, and leadership, but you’ll also learn how to conduct innovative research and create lasting strategic partnerships with other stakeholders. The degree can be completed by itself but is also an excellent pathway to the Ph.D. program offered by the same department. 

The graduate degree takes most students just two years to complete and culminates with a choice of a thesis or a final project (which can include an applied research project or an internship). 

Ranked as one of the best public universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Florida offers multiple graduate programs in professional areas, including veterinary medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and of course, educational administration.

The on-campus Master of Education in educational leadership consists of 36 credit hours and prepares students to earn the Florida principal’s certification. You’ll engage in a multitude of supervised practice experiences as well as a highly varied, hands-on curriculum. Most students start their studies in the fall, taking anywhere between six and nine credits per semester. It can be completed on a full- or part-time basis and takes just two years to complete.

Although the University of Florida is one of the largest schools in the state, this program offers learners an excellent close-knit learning environment. The average class size is just ten to fifteen students, meaning you’ll get to know your fellow students and faculty quite well over the course of your studies. 

To apply, you must have a bachelor’s, master’s, or another kind of terminal degree from an accredited university. You must also have a minimum grade point average of a 3.0. Completion of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is also required.

Although Ohio State University was originally founded as an agricultural and mechanical college, today the university’s offerings are anything but solely agrarian. While agriculture programs are still popular here, the university now offers more than 200 majors and minors. Among them is the large master’s degree in educational administration.

This program, formally titled the Master of Arts in educational studies with a concentration in educational administration, is a practice-based program that is perfect for aspiring educational administrators. You will not only learn how to design your daily practice based on relevant theoretical knowledge, but you’ll also gain tons of experience in your hands-on professional activities.

You can complete this program either with or without the licensure pathway. Previous experience in teaching is required, as is approval from your current school superintendent. You can choose to complete this degree by itself or add on an additional interdisciplinary specialization and minor, such as applied developmental science in education, quantitative research methods, college and university teaching, or teaching in virtual environments. 

Despite being founded only in 1956, the University of South Florida is a young institution with a massive enrollment of more than 50,000 students—and an even bigger reputation. The school offers 14 colleges with more than 180 different majors and it’s also one of the best places to earn a master’s in educational administration. 

The Master of Education in educational leadership is offered as one program with three distinct concentrations. It’s available on three campuses. Concentrations include curriculum leadership, non-public or charter school leadership, and K-12 public school leadership. No matter which path you choose, you’ll enjoy a close community of students, faculty, communities, and other stakeholders. 

This program is incredibly holistic and personalized. You’ll take 30 credit hours, with 18 of those consisting of shared core course requirements such as Educational Leadership, Culturally Relevant Leadership, and School Law. Then, you’ll be able to explore classes within your area of specialization. Before you graduate, you will also complete a formal portfolio that will not only serve as proof of graduation-readiness but will also be helpful as you begin to search for jobs. 

When you choose to become a student at the University of Texas at Austin, you choose to become a Texas Longhorn. 

What does that mean? Not only will you be enrolling at a university that’s ranked as one of the best in the country, but you’ll also be giving yourself the opportunity to engage in hundreds of different hands-on experiences to further augment your learning. This school has a number of auxiliary research facilities, including the J.J. Pickle Research Campus and the McDonald Observatory, with university faculty recipients of numerous awards (including the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes). 

As a result, your studies as an educational administration major won’t just be out of a textbook—here, you will learn by doing. The program starts each fall and prepares you for a wide range of roles in higher education such as academic affairs, multicultural affairs, institutional research, and transitions in K-12 education. 

You will be able to build your own program of study to suit your interests while also building sound theoretical foundations. The curriculum aligns closely with the Council for the Advance of Standards in Higher Education and is structured to prepare transformative leaders through practice and theory. You’ll be able to participate in a number of assistantships and internships while you are enrolled.

First established as the Territorial Normal School in 1885, Arizona State University – Tempe has a long history of educating aspiring educators and teacher-leaders. This school now offers a variety of programs specifically for educators (as well as other kinds of professionals), including a dynamic master’s in educational administration.

Designed for students who believe in the transformative power of education, this program is meant for students who aspire to become administrators or other leaders in K-12 settings. The curriculum is both rigorous and standards-based, designed to create a culture of collaboration and innovation. Not only will this program prepare you to meet Arizona requirements for principal certification, but it’s a good option for aspiring special education administrators and superintendents, too.

You’ll take a total of 36 credit hours to complete your degree. This credit requirement includes two internships, an applied project, and 27 required core courses. Sample course titles include Competency/Performance in Educational Administration, School Law, and School Finance and Human Resources.

Most students will complete their studies in just 15 months. You’ll complete most of your classes remotely or in a hybrid format, but you’ll also participate in an intensive three-week summer experience that will place you in a simulated school experience. Following the completion of your required courses, you’ll participate in a two-semester school-based internship. This will allow you to apply all of your new research and learning in an immersive K-12 environment.

Minnesota State University, located in Mankato, MN, is a school of many names. Also known as Minnesota State, MSU, and MNSU, this school first opened its doors as the Second State Normal School in 1858. Originally a teacher’s college, the school has since expanded its offerings but continues to offer some of the best and most hands-on programs for aspiring teacher-leaders. 

The educational administration master’s is one such example. Through this program, you’ll build the foundational skills you need to be an innovative leader and agent of change. It is designed based on principles of learner-centered programming and project-based learning. Not only will you build the foundational skills you need to become an innovative leader in education, but you’ll also gain insight into the skills and strategies you need to help learners of all backgrounds.

You will take a wide variety of courses culminating in 34 credit hours of study. Offered on the Edina campus as well, the problem includes core classes like Critical Race Theory in Education and Ethics in Leadership. You will also be able to pursue a number of research methods courses and unrestricted electives. Before graduating, you will complete a portfolio that can not only be used to demonstrate your preparation for graduation, but also when it comes time to apply for jobs.

A public research university located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University was originally founded as the Big Rapids Industrial School. Today, it is one of the largest universities in the state, offering a variety of degrees on-campus, across the state, and even online.

The master’s in educational administration is a thoughtful blend of experiential and theoretical courses that will help you build a foundation for your career as an administrator. Combining the convenience of online learning with the attentiveness of in-class learning, the program will give you ample opportunity to enhance and practice your skills.

A favorite experience of all participants in this program is the two-semester structured internship. During this internship, you’ll work in a local school district and receive mentorship and hands-on experience. You will develop a comprehensive project meant to benefit the sponsor district and also work to alleviate the shortage of prospective administrators in rural schools. 

To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. You will have up to five years to complete your degree, though most students take far less time than that. 

As Michigan’s oldest university, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is often referred to simply as Michigan or UMich. Here, students have the opportunity to study in more than 300 different fields of study (the school is home to a whopping 190 graduate programs alone!). If you want to become an educational administrator, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this university’s exceptional degree.

Through the educational leadership and policy program at UMich you’ll gain a deep understanding of research and theory in school leadership, social development, and more. You’ll join a diverse cohort of students as you take core classes like School Organization and the Policy Environment, Financial and Legal Policies in Schools, and Professional Development in Education.

Before graduation, you will also be able to take an internship and direct field experience—which together include about 100 hours of hands-on work. You could work in a wide variety of settings, including as an instructional coach or school leader, during one of these experiences. Past internship placements include Wolverine Pathways, HighScope Educational Research Foundation, and the Washtenaw Independent School District.

As a result of these experiences and more, 100% of graduates found employment within six months of graduation, with  90% finding full-time employment in relevant education fields. 

Not to be confused with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University is a public research university located in East Lansing, MI. This school is also one of the best-ranked and also one of the largest in the United States, home to more than 634,300 alumni around the world.

When you join the Michigan State community, you join that community of alumni along with an impressive cohort of fellow students, instructors, and support staff. The Master of Arts in K-12 educational administration prepares aspiring educators for leadership positions in all kinds of school settings. In this program, you will learn from renowned faculty who are world-recognized for their contributions to the field. The program takes a hybrid approach, enabling you to learn both online and face-to-face so that you can achieve your learning goals in the ways that make the most sense for you. 

In-person classes are available on MSU’s main campus in East Lansing, in Detroit, and in Birmingham. You will take 21 core credits with about two to three years of study necessary to complete your degree. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for various certifications and endorsements.

With a whopping 19 commonwealth campuses and five special mission campuses spread around the state of Pennsylvania State University, it’s not a stretch to say that Pennsylvania State University has an enormous reach. Just at the University Park campus alone, Penn State has more than 46,800 students. 

Yet when you choose to study here, you won’t feel as though you are just another face in the crowd. The educational administration degree is proof of that, preparing students for multiple career paths without sacrificing valuable attention from faculty. 

You can not only pursue a role as a state or federal educational official after completing this degree, but you could also go on to work as a school administrator (such as a principal or administrator). You can choose from a diverse selection of courses, including those such as Sociology of Rural Schools and Communities, Economics of Education, and Educational Politics in the United States. 

Originally known as the Third State Normal School, St. Cloud State University first opened its doors in 1869. Dedicated solely to aspiring teachers and teacher-leaders, this school can easily be considered one of the best places in the nation to earn a master’s degree in educational administration. 

This degree includes courses that are a blend of online and face-to-face instruction. Designed to accommodate working professionals, the program includes both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (at your own convenience) course deliveries. No matter what kind of class you are taking, you will benefit from talented faculty members who are accomplished professionals with decades of experience in the field.

Available in both a full- and part-time format, the degree enables you to take up to 12 credits per semester and graduate in less than a year. You can also choose to continue your education with a post-master’s certificate and doctoral degree in educational administration and leadership, if you so choose.

While you will be able to enhance your understanding of educational administration with the many hands-on experiences built into this program’s curriculum (such as internships and observations), you can also join various student organizations. For example, Saint Cloud State is home to a branch of the Emerging College and University Professionals organization. Joining can provide you with helpful credentials and meaningful experiences that will build your resume and make your studies even more enjoyable. 

Founded by Thomas Jefferson himself, the University of Virginia is a school built on historic foundations, a dedicated student-run honor code, and most of all, a commitment to developing some of the world’s best and brightest leaders. Therefore, it only makes sense that this is where you would find one of the country’s best programs in educational administration.

The University of Virginia’s Master of Education in administration and supervision is freshly redesigned and now includes multiple courses that will help you learn how you can promote systemic equity in your school via evidence-based leadership practices. The degree is one of the most cost-effective in the state of Virginia, blending interactive online and in-person courses.

This degree is ranked as one of the best by the U.S. News & World Report, offering applicable and challenging classes. You’ll take 33 credit hours of courses covering topics such as educational technology, family community engagement, and school finance. A cohort-based program, it will enable you to create a supportive network of colleagues and fellow professionals.

Not only that, but you’ll be given personal advising for individualized growth. All coursework is infused with technology to help prepare you for a contemporary learning environment, and many students in this program enjoy discounted educator tuition rates, too. 

As the first normal school founded west of the Mississippi River, Winona State University prides itself on its roots in educating aspiring teacher-leaders—and in doing so in a groundbreaking, revolutionary fashion. This is where you will find another of the nation’s top master’s in educational administration. 

Designed for teachers and other professional staff in Birth-12 schools, the degree will help you develop your leadership capabilities as a productive agent of change. You can choose from two different pathways in this degree. While one will prepare you for K-12 principal licensure, the other is designed for students who might be interested in other areas, like student services, educational technology, or student assessment. 

Regardless of the pathway you choose, you will take approximately 33 credit hours in courses like Curriculum Planning; Development; and Diverse Learners, Change Leadership, and Systems Thinking. Before graduating, you will also complete a final leadership capstone experience. This culminating experience is designed to provide all learners with the opportunity to apply their content knowledge to evidence-based practice. 

Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is home to a College of Education that is not only accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, but has a century-old reputation for providing high-quality teacher preparation programs.

This is also where you will find one of the country’s best educational administration degrees. The Master of Education in administration of supervision and curriculum prepares you for administrative roles in college, K-12, and other organizational settings. Not only will you gain extensive expertise in curriculum leadership and development, but you will also learn how to best work with educational technology and media.

Although this program does not lead to any kind of teacher certification, it will provide you with the foundational skills you need to succeed in leadership and more specifically, educational technology. It requires 30 credit hours of study and is offered online as well as in a hybrid format. It boasts affordable tuition of just $630 per credit hour. 

You’ll take enjoyable and relevant classes. Core courses include Multi-Professional Leadership, Instructional Design and Development and Integration of Technology into the Curriculum.

The Master of Education in educational leadership at the University of Idaho will prepare you to meet the challenging demands of a modern school environment. It doesn’t matter whether you want to become a principal, a superintendent, a program administrator, or some other kind of educator—this degree has what it takes to help you get to the top.

The program is considered a statewide leader when it comes to educational leadership. It is approved by NCATE and is available entirely online. Through this program, you’ll take courses such as Multicultural Diversity and Educational Leadership, Ethical Leadership and Law in Education, and Administration of Special Education Law.

Upon completion of the degree, you can enter directly into the workforce or you can choose to pursue licensure via the standard administrative certificate. A highly affordable program, it features affordable tuition and multiple scholarships through the department of education as well as through the office of financial aid.

If you want to become a positive, effective, and intellectual leader with the ability to effect positive change in education, you may want to consider the Master of Science in educational leadership at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 

This degree is versatile and relevant, featuring two special concentrations in education. The first is the school administrator concentration, which requires courses such as School Law and Administration and Supervision in Schools. The second is the teacher leadership concentration, which does not lead to state administrative certification but is instead curriculum-based.

Both programs offer effective pathways for students seeking to expand their professional impacts. Both are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and are eligible for financial aid. 

The degrees offered by the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are some of the best. In fact, it was recently honored by the UNO Multicultural Students Allies TRUST with the Dedication to Social Justice Through Education award. 

The College of Education at the University of Oregon has almost too many accolades to list. Not only is it ranked as the fourth-best graduate school of education among public institutions, but it’s also the eleventh best in the entire country. Whether you want to become a teacher, an administrator, or some other kind of educator, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at the University of Oregon.

There are two educational leadership graduate programs here—a Master of Science and a Master of Education. The school is also home to a Doctor of Education. The Master of Education in educational leadership is specifically designed for students who are enrolled in the administrator licensure program who have experience in teaching but do not yet have a master’s degree. Most can complete this program in just two years or less.

You will take a total of 45 credit hours, with core classes including Leading For Equity, Education Policy Analysis, and Cultural Adaptation of Evidence-Based Practices. You’ll also engage in extensive professional writing courses and development workshops to help enhance your career readiness.

With rolling admission and two potential start dates per year, the Master of Science in education at CUNY Brooklyn College is easily one of the most flexible. Requiring 36 credit hours of study, the Master of Science in education with a concentration in educational leadership has multiple concentrations, including those for aspiring school building leaders.

You will take a variety of hands-on courses in this program, including Supervision of Instruction, Personnel Functions in Educational Administration, and Colloquium in Educational Leadership. When you register for your classes you’ll be joining a prestigious and diverse body of students from all over the world. 

In fact, the college has attracted a diversity of motivated students for nearly a century. The school has an enrollment of nearly 18,000 students from 143 different countries. You’ll be able to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities to enhance your enjoyment of your degree and bolster your resume, including participation in the Macaulay Honors College. 

Do you want to become the kind of principal that teachers remember—and revere? If so, you may want to consider the one and a half year program in educational administration at Texas A&M University-Commerce. This program will provide you with the administrative, leadership, and financial skills you need to be successful as a principal. 

This program is a competency-based degree with no foreign language credits or thesis required. It can be completed entirely online and consists of just 30 credit hours. In fact, most students will graduate in just a year and a half.

You must take ten required courses for the degree, including Leading Effective Schools, Using the Law in Educational Practice, and Design Curriculum. For principal certification, you’ll take additional coursework to help you understand how to lead diverse communities of teachers and learners.

Through this program, you’ll work with renowned faculty to explore all the ins and outs of educational administration. You can complete your studies on your own schedule and you won’t pay much to do so, either. In fact, this degree charges tuition of just $3288 for Texas residents for a full semester of study. 

At CUNY Lehman College, located in the heart of New York City in the Bronx, you can pursue a Master of Science in education in educational leadership that will prepare you for a rewarding career as a school building leader. The program has a keen emphasis on urban leadership, making it the perfect fit for students who already live and work (or merely aspire to) in the Big Apple.

This program is aligned with New York State requirements for programs designed to prepare educational leaders and can be completed in just five semesters of study. You’ll take classes like The Principal as a School Building Leader, Ethics in School Leadership, and Legal and Economic Issues and the Administration of Schools.

To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as education or counseling, from an accredited university. While you are enrolled, you will also have to participate in several hours of leadership experiences in local school districts. You’ll also complete several internship-only courses that will acquaint you with building level administration techniques and strategies. 

The University of Northern Colorado offers a graduate program in education that is one of the top ten in the nation—and it’s also recognized as Colorado’s top-ranked university for online programs in education, too. The master’s in educational administration can be started at any time and completed entirely online. You’ll learn from faculty who have diverse, extensive professional experiences as K-12 administrators, superintendents, principles, and more.

Not only that, but this degree will prepare you to pursue dual licensure as both a special education director and a principal. You’ll enjoy a collaborative and interactive online learning environment while also being able to engage in hands-on learning opportunities. 

There are actually two educational administration degrees offered by this university. The first is the Master of Arts in educational leadership and special education administration (with dual licensure pathways available). The second is the educational specialist degree, which is designed for students who already possess some experience in education. 

Sample classes include Shaping Organizations: Management and Leadership in Education, The Principalship: Leadership at the School Site Level, and Administration and Supervision of Special Education. It’s a hybrid program that is not only available online, but also on campus. 

Looking for a degree that is truly one-of-a-kind? If so, you may want to consider the Master of Arts in urban education with a concentration in administration and supervision at New Jersey City University. 

Designed for teachers who wish to become supervisors or principals, it can prepare you for licensure in school leadership in the state of New Jersey. The program is taught primarily online as well as in a blended format each term. Several classes are available during the summer, too, so you can take classes around the year to graduate sooner.

To be eligible for admission, you’ll have to have three years of teaching or educational experience. While enrolled, you will take core classes such as Innovations in Curriculum and Educational Leadership; Home, School, and Community Relations; and School Law and Finance for School Leaders. Before you graduate, you’ll also be required to complete an internship for urban school personnel.

Study at your own pace with this program, or follow a preset degree map—the choice is yours. Whichever path you choose, you’ll be able to complete your studies in just three years or less.

Originally founded in 1972, the higher education administration master’s degree at Vanderbilt University is one of the best at preparing professionals for rewarding lifelong carers in a college setting. 

This two-year, full-time program has an impressive job placement rate, with 95% of graduates either employed or enrolled in graduate school within just four months of graduation. Why such a high placement rate? Much of the program’s success has to do with the fact that the degree places a strong emphasis on learning by doing. With this degree, you’ll have numerous opportunities to put research and theory into practice. 

Requiring 36 hours of coursework, the program is taught by talented faculty who have experience as administrators themselves. You will take a total of 12 credit hours of core courses like Postsecondary Access, Nature and Function of Higher Education, College and University Management, and State and Federal Government in Higher Education.

Not only that, but you can complete at least six credit hours within a chosen degree concentration. Concentrations include general administration and policy, enrollment management, and student affairs. Without a doubt, this program is one of the best for aspiring professionals who want careers in education that truly make a difference. 

A private liberal arts college, McDaniel College first opened its doors in 1867 as Western Maryland College. It is a small school of around 3000 students, recognized as one of the Colleges That Change Lives.

The Educational Leadership program at McDaniel College offers learners numerous pathways toward certification. Not only can you pursue certification as an assistant principal, principal, or supervisor in the state of Maryland after completing this degree, but you could also pursue Pennsylvania certification as a K-12 principal or get a certificate if you already hold a master’s degree.

This is because the program possesses a curriculum that is closely aligned with licensing recommendations and is also highly interactive. It’s accredited not only by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education but also aligned with the Educational leadership Constituent Council Standards.

You will take a variety of hands-on courses, including Role of the Principal, School Leadership in the Twenty-First century, and Case Studies in Educational Leadership. You’ll also engage in an interactive internship in educational leadership and conduct a final capstone with a developmental portfolio review. Needless to say, you’ll graduate as an skilled and highly proficient practitioner who is ready to handle any and all challenges related to the modern school setting.