Educational leadership
Master of Education
Leading beyond the classroom
Today’s schools and districts need forward-thinking leaders — educators with the vision, passion and skills to drive meaningful change. University of Idaho’s educational leadership M.Ed. is designed to prepare you for these essential roles.
The American education system has a critical need for educational leaders and is experiencing significant shortages of principals and superintendents, particularly in states with higher rural populations. According to research from the Wallace Foundation, leadership ranks second only to teaching in influencing student learning.
Whether your goal is to become a principal (M.Ed.), program administrator or to deepen your leadership as a classroom educator, this program offers the knowledge, research foundation and real-world tools to make a lasting impact. You'll gain insight to shape policy, guide institutional improvement and elevate student outcomes at the local, state and national levels.
Our program is CAEP certified and is aligned with state certification requirements for administrative licensure, providing you with a direct pathway to leadership roles.
We’ve also partnered with school districts and communities across Idaho to offer convenient cohort models, making it easier for working educators to pursue advanced degrees without having to step away from the classroom. These partnerships ensure that learning is rooted in practical application, directly benefiting the communities we serve.
An online graduate degree in educational leadership offers a direct pathway to leadership roles, allowing working educators to maintain their current positions.
Educational leaders’ salaries represent a significant earning potential above teaching salaries, and many districts provide advanced degree stipends that continue throughout an educator’s entire career.
Overview
Related Topics
Lead the future of education
Application information
Applicants for the Ed.S.Ed.Ldrshp. program must meet the following admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS: 79/6.5
- Number of references: 3
- Other requirements: Yes
- Writing sample: Provide ONE professional sample (thesis, journal article, term paper or handbook, etc.) previously completed by you.
- Letters of recommendation: Demonstrated support for your potential as an eventual school administrator is one of the criteria for admission into the Educational Leadership Program. Please include at least one Letter of Recommendation from a recent supervisor such as a principal or superintendent.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Note: Due to the nature of this program, immigration regulations prohibit students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa admission to this program. Other visa categories may be eligible to study in the U.S.
Contact the International Programs Office for rules governing enrollment while in the U.S. prior to application submission.
Contact information
Hands-on learning
The educational leadership program emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning for reinforcing new concepts. You’ll do this through an internship, where you’ll observe and learn from a practicing administrator in an elementary or secondary school or district office.
Internships
You will work alongside experienced administrators and professors during your internships, which are grounded in learning about best practices in educational leadership.
Tuition and fees
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
For information on FAFSA deadlines, financial aid types and eligibility requirements, visit the University of Idaho Financial Aid Office website.
Plan ahead—estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have an academic and professional background in education
- Have a desire to make positive changes in education
- Possess strong leadership and communication skills
Career outcomes
Current job openings
739 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Education Administrators for Elementary and Secondary Schools
$132,202 - Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
$56,658 - Postsecondary Education Administrators
$104,984
* Career data provided by Lightcast.