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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership - World Campus

If you are a K-12 teacher who wants to broaden your leadership potential, expand your knowledge about schools, teachers, and student learning, and renew your passion to work on behalf of public education as you meet professional development goals, Penn State's Educational Leadership master's program is for you.

Quality educational leadership is important to the overall success of an individual school or school system. Strong leaders are key to high-performing schools; they help orchestrate school reforms, and serve as motivators to fellow teachers and students. Our Educational Leadership master's program is flexible. Many of our students are working professionals and appreciate the online, asynchronous format of this program, which allows for individualized speed and pacing.

Students pursuing an M.Ed. through World Campus select one of two emphasis areas:

  • School Leadership - with or without Pennsylvania principal certification preparation

  • Teacher Leadership - with or without Pennsylvania teacher leadership endorsement preparation

 For more information, visit the World Campus Master of Education in Educational Leadership pages. 

Admissions Information

The School Leadership emphasis in our M.Ed. program is geared toward students who are interested in being school leaders. Embedded in this program is coursework that meets state educational requirements for principal certification in Pennsylvania. Educators from other states may pursue this degree but will not be eligible for Pennsylvania certification. 

Pennsylvania-certified educators are eligible for a one-year internship which allows students the opportunity to integrate what they have learned in their coursework into the field under the supervision of an approved on-site mentor principal. Alternatively, those who are interested in being a school leader but not in Pennsylvania principal certification may complete a modified capstone. 

  • Introduction to Educational Leadership (EDLDR 480)

  • Curriculum Design: Theory and Practice (C-S 551)

  • Leadership for Equity and Diversity (EDLDR 831)

  • Data-Informed Leadership (EDLDR 841)

  • Planned Change for School Improvement (EDLDR 859)

  • Principles of Instructional Leadership (EDLDR 861)

  • The Principalship for Aspiring School Leaders (EDLDR 868)

  • Money and Schools: Perspectives, Finance Policies, and Leadership (EDLDR 873)

  • The Law and Education for Educational Leaders (EDLDR 876)

  • Principal Internship (EDLDR 595)

The Principal Internship (EDLDR 595) is the Capstone course for the School Leadership emphasis M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.  

The internship is a required field experience across a calendar year for students in order to receive their School Administrator Principal PK-12 certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students earn 1 credit for each of 3 consecutive semesters for a total of 3 credits. The requirements are explained in the World Campus Internship page. 

Students who teach in states other than Pennsylvania complete a modified internship, earning 3 credits in 1 semester.

Certification for working as a principal in Pennsylvania is obtained directly through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Our School Leadership program is one such pathway towards certification. If you already hold a Master’s degree in education and you are seeking an expedited pathway to principal certification, you may wish to explore our 18 credit/six course Principalship Graduate Certificate program.

The Teacher Leadership emphasis in our M.Ed. program is geared towards students who are interested in leading from the classroom as level leaders, mentors, or department heads. This emphasis does not lead to principal certification and is created and defined through the interaction of student and adviser. Our goal is to offer a range of distinctive options to students that will help them fulfill their leadership potential. Students may also be interested in learning about Teacher Leader Endorsement in Pennsylvania. Our Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Teacher Leader emphasis is open to educators from any state or other countries.

  • Introduction to Teacher Leadership (EDLDR 801)

  • How Schools Work (EDLDR 802)

  • Planned Change for School Improvement (EDLDR 859)

  • Principles of Instructional Leadership (EDLDR 861)

  • Capstone Inquiry Course (EDLDR 894)

Electives are selected by the student with support from their program advisor. 

  • 500-level EDLDR elective

  • Two 500- or 800-level EDLDR electives

  • Two 500- or 800-level Open Graduate electives

EDLDR 894 is the Capstone Inquiry course for the Teacher Leadership emphasis M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. The course, taken in the final semester of the program, consists of completion and public presentation of an inquiry project reflecting an understanding of the five leadership strands. 

Endorsement for qualifications as a teacher leader in Pennsylvania is obtained directly through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Our Teacher Leadership program provides one such pathway towards endorsement. If you already hold a Master’s degree in education and you are seeking an expedited pathway to endorsement, you may wish to explore our 12 credit/four course Teacher Leadership Graduate Certificate program.

Penn State is an Act 48-approved provider for Pennsylvania educators, so courses may count toward professional development hours.

Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.