The 5 Best Master's in Educational Administration Online

Chadron State College offers an M.Ed. in educational administration that consists of 36-42 credits, depending on a student’s concentration. The school offers concentrations in elementary/secondary principal or special education supervisor.

Example classes include educational philosophy, curriculum development, and school law. Another course is the fundamentals of school administration. Learners also explore school administration and leadership. Elective options allow students to tailor the concentration to their areas of interest. Each track also requires 250 hours of a practicum or internship to provide students with hands-on experience.

Further, students seeking their state’s administrative endorsement must pass the PRAXIS II exam before graduation. Courses are accelerated, and enrollment is open for maximum flexibility. Students also benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio, career services, student advising, and tech support. Applicants should have earned at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA and have worked two years as a full-time teacher.

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• Tuition Per Credit: $380
• Program Focus: K-12

Capella University offers an M.Ed. in educational administration leadership that consists of 46 quarter credits. Required classes include survey of research methodology, assessment and improvement of instruction, and personnel administration. Learners also take school leadership and management practices. Students must also complete six credits in an internship setting to gain real-world experience.

The degree benefits educators who want to assume leadership responsibilities in the school system. The curriculum focuses on the principal’s role in communicating, developing, and implementing a school program that aligns with district priorities. Courses run on accelerated 10-week blocks, which typically require 10-12 hours of study per week. Full-time students can earn their degree in as little as 1-1.5 years.

Capella designs its online degrees with maximum flexibility for working professionals. Entry dates are available throughout the year. Students with previous academic work may transfer up to 12 credits into the program. This degree is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC).

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• Tuition Per Credit: $455
• Program Focus: K-12

The University of South Carolina – Columbia offers an M.Ed. in educational administration that consists of 36 credits. Courses include school leadership, school personnel administration, and supervision of instruction. School finance and business management is another course. Students can choose an elementary or high school practicum according to their field of interest and other electives, which they can discuss with an advisor.

The accelerated program offers 8-week course deliveries so that students can complete the degree in as little as two years. Part-time students may take up to six years to graduate, allowing flexibility. Experienced superintendents, principals, and high-level administrators teach the courses. Each instructor brings a unique perspective to the curriculum and provides a broad yet pragmatic approach.

USC also emphasizes student diversity and considers it a top priority in education. Founded in 1801, the university has a student enrollment of approximately 35,000.

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• Tuition Per Credit: $525 for certified South Carolina teachers, $572 for all other applicants
• Program Focus: K-12

The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a 30-credit M.Ed. in educational administration. The degree caters to students with at least two years of teaching experience in a K-12 setting or those who have earned a teaching license. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The school is a member of the Five College Consortium, alongside Amherst College, Hampshire College, Holyoke College, and Smith College. UMass’s online offerings have grown increasingly robust. The school now offers 4,000 online courses per year in nearly 200 areas of study. Students benefit from resources such as 24/7 tech support, personalized academic advising, library services, and financial aid. UMass’s 330,000 alumni network is highly active, and the school’s career services center connects recent graduates for professional opportunities.

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• Tuition Per Credit: $470
• Program Focus: K-12

Louisiana State University offers an MA in education with a specialization in higher education administration that consists of 36 credits. Required courses include foundations of higher education, understanding and applying research in education, and student development theory. All students must also complete a comprehensive exam to graduate.

The curriculum is designed to develop leadership abilities, higher education knowledge, and management skills. Learners gain expertise in such areas as recruiting, admissions, orientation, and financial aid. They also build knowledge in counseling, Greek life, and academic support services. Courses run on accelerated 7-week blocks, and degree-completion time can be as little as 15 months.

The university also offers its online students exceptional resources, including a personal enrollment specialist, advising, career services, a library, a center for academic success, and a virtual lab. Online learners can also use Moodle, a highly collaborative and dynamic learning platform. For those interested, LSU also offers an M.Ed. in educational leadership.

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• Tuition Per Credit: $417
• Program Focus: Higher Education