Master of Education in Educational Administration
Our accredited, online master’s degree in educational administration prepares aspiring educational administrators to transform the lives of students in their schools by helping them gain new skills and in-depth knowledge in educational leadership. Our graduates are committed to intentionally creating diverse learning environments for all students.
In our online program, you can earn an MEd with a principal certification. If your goal is to be an EC–12 leader at the campus level, the Principal Certification Program will prepare you for the TExES Principal Exam, a requirement for obtaining Texas principal certification. If your goal is to work in educational leadership at the district level, you’re strongly encouraged to continue with the Superintendent Certification Program, which offers an executive-style experience that combines online learning with interactive opportunities to communicate with current scholar-practitioners.
Choose from the following concentrations:
- EC–12 Leadership Principal Certification
- Higher Education Leadership
- Educational Technology Leadership
If your goal is to earn your superintendent or principal certification but you already have a master’s degree, you may be interested in Tarleton’s Post-Master’s Degree Principal Certification Program or Post-Master’s Degree Superintendent Certification Program.
What is Educational Administration?
Educational administration is the business of leading an educational institution, such as a school or district. Educational administrators include (but are not limited to) school principals, assistant principals, district-level administrators, instructional coaches, department heads and chief executive officers. Our graduates learn to manage and integrate resources, tasks and communications, as well as plan and provide oversight.
Tarleton graduates understand how to effectively lead their school communities, and as dynamic leaders, they successfully engage in scholarly practice in the field.
What Can You Do With Your Master’s Degree in Educational Administration?
If you choose to earn a superintendent or principal certificate, you will be qualified to work in administration positions at all levels, including central office roles.
These are just a few examples of jobs for graduates with a master’s degree in educational administration and certification:
- Assistant Principal or Associate Principal
- Assistant Principal of Discipline
- Assistant Principal of Instruction
- Principal Assistant Superintendent
- Campus Instructional Specialist
- Director of Leadership
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Textbooks
- Assistant Director of Human Resources
Estimated Completion
With Certification – 33 Credit Hours (18+ months)
Without Certification – 30 Credit Hours (18+ months)
Application Process
- Admission to Tarleton State University – Graduate Studies
- Additional Program Application Requirements
Note: Those pursuing an M.Ed. with Principal Certification will have their application reviewed by the Educator Preparation Council. Certification is for Texas Residents Only.
Cost
Locations Available
College
You may also be interested in further specializing your career with a doctoral degree in education, such as Tarleton’s EdD in Educational Leadership.
Careers in Educational Administration
Recent data show 100% of Tarleton MEd graduate students in educational administration taking the 268 Principal as Instructional Leader exam passed.
How Much Do Educational Administration Graduates Make?
The average salary of an assistant principal in Texas ranges between $66,000 and $72,000. The average salary of Texas public school principals ranges between $70,000 and $118,000. Most Texas school districts use a salary scale based on years of experience to determine beginning salaries.
Why Study Educational Administration?
Our MEd in Educational Administration is a premier program designed to cultivate exceptional educational leaders. Through a dynamic online learning experience, we offer a stimulating and rigorous curriculum that prepares graduates to excel in diverse educational settings. Our program emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge, equipping students with the tools needed to lead with confidence and innovation.
Through practicum placements, graduate students experience all areas of educational leadership, including building operations, finance and budgeting, communications, human resources, school law and curriculum and instruction. Internships, service learning and research provide additional opportunities for a wide variety of rich learning experiences in diverse educational settings.
Ranging from classroom teacher to special education specialist to superintendent, and various roles in between, our professors come from a variety of backgrounds in education. As progressive leaders in our fields, including a journal editor and published author, our research interests include women in leadership, social equity, transforming through systemic change and student behaviors relating to academic success. We can’t wait to join you in your journey to become an educational administrator!
Build authentic relationships and make lasting connections with peers, professors and education professionals for opportunities to learn from each other, network and stay involved with the MEd program. These connections could very well help you make effective decisions when you become an educational leader.
Get more from your master’s degree for less than other programs
The cost of our online master’s degree program in educational administration is highly affordable and competitive with colleges and universities in Texas and Louisiana.
What Classes Will You Take as an Educational Administration Graduate Student?
The program curriculum features video and interactive content with challenging exercises, assignments and discussions on theories, authors and educational change efforts while exploring a variety of topics in educational leadership. Study data analysis and statistical methods, law and policy, financial and resource management, facility development, community relationships, diverse learning communities, philosophy and ethics and more.
Culminating in a practicum experience, the MEd program offers in-depth study and Zoom seminars for engaging Q&A sessions, as well as opportunities for purposeful, one-on-one and small group discussions.
View all required classes for the educational administration master’s degree.
Accreditations
Accreditation from SACSCOC is vital for the Education Administration M.Ed. program, as it demonstrates that the program meets rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation assures students that their degree is from a reputable institution and enhances their employability. Employers also value graduates from accredited programs, which signifies that they have received a high-quality education. Additionally, SACSCOC accreditation can facilitate credit transfer and recognition of degrees, making it easier for graduates to pursue advanced education or career opportunities.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Our classes are structured as small group settings with low student-to-faculty ratios. This means you’ll have opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and engage in rigorous, authentic discussions.
The Texas Center for Educational Facilities focuses on providing research on the impact of facility design on student learning capacities. Tarleton’s Effective Schools Project is one of the nation's largest school-improvement endeavors, providing research and professional development to educators.
Graduate students in our online MEd program can participate in campus events, including social and professional activities. MEd students are also invited to attend statewide conferences.
What Graduate Programs are Related to Educational Administration?
Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton!