Best Online Master’s in Education Administration
Most education professionals report their jobs as meaningful and highly satisfactory — particularly education administrators. As leaders, education administrators can often effect high-level change for students’ futures.
Professionals interested in this rewarding job should consider continuing their education with an online master’s in education administration. Read more about this degree and explore our top program picks.
Top Online Master’s in Education Administration Programs
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $444
Out-of-State | $1,076
Credits to Graduate: 33
FSU's master's in educational leadership program is online except for its 165-hour fieldwork requirements, which you must complete at two separate schools. Course topics include data-driven school improvement, educational leadership, and effective instruction planning.
Master's students must take two elective courses and seek out two mentoring principals during the program. They must also complete an 80-hour internship. This program can help satisfy the ESOL requirements of Florida teaching licensure.
- In-State$4,640
- Out-of-state$19,084
- In-State$9,684
- Out-of-state$24,116
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled45,130
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $637
Out-of-State | $637
Credits to Graduate: 36
SNHU's master of science in higher education administration program doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores from applicants. The program is asynchronous and covers topics from enrollment marketing to budgets and financial management. Some students complete the program in 15 months.
The program teaches students how to use data to address obstacles in higher education and lays out multiple career options for potential applicants. You can transfer up to 12 credits to SNHU, and your previous work experience may count toward program credits.
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,110
Out-of-State | $1,110
Credits to Graduate: 30
GW's MA in educational leadership and administration degree takes as little as two years to complete and is built for working P-12 professionals. Classes focus on school law, school finance, and leadership for equity and social justice. There is an option to join a hybrid cohort.
This program prepares students for administrator or principal licensure, especially in the DMV area.
- In-State$57,894
- Out-of-state$57,894
- In-State$32,850
- Out-of-state$32,850
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled26,457
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Columbia, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $572
Out-of-State | $572
Credits to Graduate: 36
The University of South Carolina's M,Ed. program is available both in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Courses are 8 weeks long and cover topics such as business management, research in education, and principal practice.
Applicants do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores. The program can help students meet South Carolina licensure requirements. Teachers already certified in South Carolina receive a tuition reduction.
- In-State$12,288
- Out-of-state$33,528
- In-State$13,734
- Out-of-state$29,760
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled35,471
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Tarleton State University
- Stephenville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Texas Education Agency
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $426
Out-of-State | $692
Credits to Graduate: 30-33
Tarleton State University's online M.Ed. in educational administration program features interactive lessons and Zoom seminars to encourage meaningful discussion between students. Participants can earn principal certification for early childhood education to grade 12 leadership by taking three extra credits, although this option is only available to Texas residents. Students can also pursue a concentration in higher education leadership or educational technology leadership.
Applicants must hold a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5-3.0, depending on their target pathway. However, GRE scores are not required for admission.
- In-State$4,416
- Out-of-state$14,208
- In-State$4,356
- Out-of-state$11,718
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled13,995
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Amherst, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CCTC)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $709
Out-of-State | $709
Credits to Graduate: 30
The fully online MA in educational administration from UMass Global can prepare California students for various administrative roles across the education field. The program only accepts California residents. Admission requirements include a minimum 2.75 GPA and a CTCC-approved preliminary administrative services credential.
The degree requires core classes like seminar in learning theory, research and evaluation methods, and seminar in the social foundations of education. Students receive up to 12 credits toward the degree for completing a preliminary administrative services credential program. To graduate, learners must complete a portfolio.
- In-State$15,791
- Out-of-state$36,316
- In-State$14,014
- Out-of-state$30,572
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled32,045
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
- Norman, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $700
Out-of-State | $700
Credits to Graduate: 36
Designed for working professionals, OU Online's master of education in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision requires 12 courses and takes around 24 months to complete. The program explores instructional improvement, strategic thinking, and student achievement and can prepare graduates to take leadership roles in the education field.
The curriculum includes a mentored internship and provides hands-on experience with educational administration. Students take classes like financial leadership, education and the law, technology in education administration, and politics in education administration.
- In-State$4,920
- Out-of-state$20,724
- In-State$8,034
- Out-of-state$23,096
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled28,042
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Loyola Marymount University
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,542
Out-of-State | $1,542
Credits to Graduate: 32
LMU's online MA in school administration prepares students to become or to advance their careers in educational leadership and administration and includes a California preliminary administrative services credential. To qualify for admission, applicants need a California base teaching credential and must complete at least five years of teaching experience by the end of the program.
The curriculum includes classes like business of education, advocacy from a legal perspective, and assessment and research methods. Students must pass a comprehensive exam and complete fieldwork to graduate.
- In-State$52,310
- Out-of-state$52,310
- In-State$19,642
- Out-of-state$19,642
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate46%
- Students Enrolled10,184
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico State University
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $440
Out-of-State | $440
Credits to Graduate: 33
NMSU's MA in educational leadership and administration in pre-K-12 program leads to licensure, preparing graduates for roles like administrative director and school principal. Online coursework features a blend of synchronous and asynchronous components. Students also complete two internship courses, which require monthly attendance at seminars held in Las Cruces.
To apply, applicants must hold a current teaching license and have three years of full-time teaching experience. They must also submit three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a resume, and writing samples.
- In-State$6,041
- Out-of-state$22,507
- In-State$4,981
- Out-of-state$17,330
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled13,904
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
South Dakota State University
- Brookings, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $470
Out-of-State | $470
Credits to Graduate: 35
SDSU's online educational administration MEd can prepare graduates for careers like curriculum director, assistant principal, or supervisor. It meets South Dakota requirements for principal endorsement. Applicants need three years of teaching experience to receive the endorsement.
Admission requirements include a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of goals.
Core requirements include classes like school finances, advanced pedagogy, advanced educational psychology, and educational law and legislation. Students also must complete an internship (at least four credits) and a capstone.
- In-State$7,773
- Out-of-state$11,283
- In-State$8,164
- Out-of-state$15,697
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled11,465
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Choosing the Right Online Education Administration Master’s Program
Each online master’s in educational administration program offers a unique curriculum and focus. Students should carefully consider which school provides the program most aligned with their experience, interests, and career goals.
For example, some programs take a general approach to education leadership, while others offer principal, special education, or higher education administration specializations. Admission requirements also vary.
Schools commonly expect each applicant to have an active teaching license and professional experience. However, some schools accept students with non-teaching backgrounds, particularly for general or policy concentrations.
Other important considerations include accreditation and cost. Institutional accreditation confirms that the entire school offers high-quality coursework, while programmatic accreditation indicates that a department or program within the school meets quality standards from third parties like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Tuition rates for online master’s degrees in educational administration vary depending on the number of required credits, the school’s prestige, and state residency. Additional expenses like technology and book fees can also impact the total cost.
Students can apply for federal loans and grants by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provided their chosen school holds institutional accreditation. They can also apply for merit- and need-based scholarships to help cover the costs.
What to Expect From an Education Administration Graduate Program
Explore the Education Administration Curriculum
Coursework varies by program, but the following list covers several common master’s in education administration classes.
- Principalship: This course introduces students to school principals’ requirements and obligations. Students explore how responsibilities differ for elementary, middle, and high school principals. They may also roleplay and participate in discussions to identify solutions.
- Human Resource Management: Enrollees explore how to recruit, hire, and place professionals in educational settings. They also may consider management theories and practices that prepare them to effectively place and compensate personnel.
- Instructional Strategies and Models: This course explores the different ways young people learn. Enrollees may review research that explains students’ learning orientations and which instructional methods are most effective.
- Staff Evaluation and Development: This course offers an overview of development and supervision strategies. Students may perform classroom evaluations, create staff development plans, and communicate with professionals under their supervision.
Understand Certifications and Licenses
Many education administration careers require licensure. For example, a principal typically must hold a master’s degree and a state-issued license to qualify for job opportunities. However, most higher education administrators do not need licenses. Requirements vary by state, so prospective school administrators should research the terms in the state where they plan to work.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Education Administration?
A master of education administration degree can pave the way for school or program management careers. Degree-seekers typically choose this degree to enter administrative roles outside the classroom that still positively influence student outcomes, curriculums, and programs.
Career options for graduates with master’s degrees in education administration have varied salary potential. For example, a preschool director earns a median salary of $54,290, according to May 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, postsecondary education administrators and school principals each earn median salaries of more than $100,000.
Pursuing credentials, like certifications, licensure, or a doctoral degree, may also affect job prospects and salaries for education administrators. For instance, admissions officers may only need a master’s degree for employment, but a Ph.D. may be required for a dean position. Similarly, some school districts may prefer superintendent candidates with doctorates.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| School Principal | $103,460 | -1% |
| Preschool Director | $54,290 | -2% |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 | +2% |
| School Counselor | $61,710 | +4% |
| School Library Media Specialist | $64,370 | +3% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $102,610 | +3% |
Popular Questions About Master’s in Education Administration
What is a master’s in education administration?
A master of education administration prepares students to pursue advanced roles in education as instructional coordinators and school principals. Programs vary among schools but typically require 30-40 credits, with courses exploring multicultural education, school administration, and public school law.
What is the best master’s degree for a principal?
A principal usually needs a master of education administration or a similar degree, which includes courses like personnel administration, school and community relations, and school leadership. Some states may require principals to have a school administration license in addition to a master’s degree.
Is a master’s in Education Administration worth it?
Yes — salaries for professionals with educational administration degrees are strong. The BLS reports that kindergarten through secondary education administrators earned an average annual wage of $111,060.
How long does it take to get a master’s in education administration?
Program lengths vary for online master’s degrees in education administration. Typically, students can finish their coursework in around two years. Most programs require 30-36 credits.
What is the difference between educational administration and educational management?
School management involves overseeing operations for an educational institution, while education administrators direct and organize on a higher level. For instance, school managers might monitor teachers’ work performance, while educational administrators create educators’ policies and standards.
