Master of Education in Educational Leadership

the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership offers two concentrations to reach your career objectives.   

K-12 Concentration: The Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership K-12 concentration will provide you with the content knowledge and credentials necessary to effectively lead schools, districts, multi-million dollar educational organizations, and/or post-secondary educational institutions.  Graduates of the K-12 concentrations - after completing their coursework and meeting all GaPSC certification requirements - will be eligible for Tier I Leadership Certification. If you already have a master's degree in a teaching field, you can choose the 18-hour “certification only” option. 

Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Concentration - Students completing the Higher Education Administration concentration will be eligible for a variety of leadership positions in post-secondary education including, but not limited to, positions in student affairs units, university administration, and college athletics administration. 

Both of the Master’s in Educational Leadership options are 30-credit hour online programs and are typically completed in five semesters (spring/summer/fall).  

While in the Master of Educational Leadership degree program, you are expected to be employed in a professional role in an organization where you are providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education).  

Educational Leadership Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

• Top 20: Schools in the U.S. that students want to attend reported by U.S. News and World Report

• 7,100+: Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020

• K-12 Approved by the GPSC — The Georgia Professional Standards Commission has fully approved the K-12 concentration.
• Focused Concentration Choices — Choose one of two concentrations: K-12 or Higher Education and Student Affairs 
• Advocate for Education Resources — Many educational professionals must also learn to advocate for their student's needs. You will have the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to support your students — at the local, state and, even national levels. 

What can you do with an Educational Leadership degree?

Depending upon your choice of concentration, a master's degree in educational leadership prepares you for teaching or executive positions at public, private and independent and charter schools or colleges and universities.

Below are some positions that you may want to pursue with your master's degree in educational leadership.

• Assistant Principal
• College Athletics Administrator
• College/University Provost
• Dean of Students or Faculty
• District Administrator
• Education Administrator
• Instructional Coordinator
• Principal
• Student Affairs Administrator
• University Registrar

Program Admission Requirements

• Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.
• Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH college and/or university you have attended.  
• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 from a regionally accredited college or university

Additional Program Requirements:

Applicants in the K-12 track must include the following:

• Evidence of clear and renewable initial certification in Georgia  
• GACE Leadership Ethic Assessment Completion Certificate 
• Recommendation form 
• Mentor form (with GaPSC L5 or higher certified mentor)
• Resume or professional vitae documenting two years of teaching experience 

Applicants in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Concentration must include the following: 

• Recommendation form 
• Mentor form 
• Resume or Professional Vitae 

Graduate College Admission Requirements:

1. Completed online Graduate Application
2. $60 non-refundable application processing fee*
3. Official transcripts from each college or university attended. If the institution is outside the U.S., an international credential evaluation will be required. Applicants must not send international transcripts directly to Kennesaw State University.
4. Bachelor's degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75
5. Additional requirements by program

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership program leads to Professional Licensure.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state. The Professional License Disclosure link opens in a new tab. 's Professional License Disclosure

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Georgia Professional Standards Commission