School of Education & Social Sciences · Graduate program
Master of Arts in Education Administration
Lead a school where every student can succeed.
You’re ready to lead. MVU’s Master of Arts in Education Administration prepares you to become an effective school administrator and leads to K–12 administration certification.
36
credit hours
K–12
administration certification pathway
2
internships
6 starts
each year
PSEL
national leadership standards
Missouri
leader standards
Why MVU for school leadership
Prepare for the principal’s office
A standards-based program that covers the whole job of leading a school, with internships that connect it to practice.
A path to certification
The program leads to K–12 administration certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Built on leadership standards
Coursework centers on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and the Missouri Model Leader Standards.
Real-world internships
Internship I is built into your courses, and Internship II puts your leadership skills to work in a school setting.
Learn the whole job
Study finance, law, facilities, supervision, and media relations alongside instructional leadership.
Flexible starts
Six application deadlines through the year let you start when you’re ready.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Move from the classroom into a principal or assistant principal role.
- Earn K–12 administration certification.
- Lead in a public or private school setting.
- Build the instructional, business, legal, and people skills school leaders need.
What will I learn to do?
Lead like the Missouri standards describe
- Visionary leader: develop and carry out a vision that guides learning for all students.
- Instructional leader: ensure a strong curriculum, effective teaching, and useful assessment.
- Managerial leader: run operations and use people and resources equitably and strategically.
- Relational leader: work professionally with students, staff, families, and the community.
- Innovative leader: keep growing, reflect on your practice, and drive positive change.
Your path
From classroom leader to school leader
Each stage adds another part of the job, and your internships connect it all to real schools.
01
Leadership foundations
Educational leadership, current issues, and the role of the principal.
02
Instruction and curriculum
Teacher evaluation, supervision, curriculum design, and educational research.
03
School operations
Education finance, education law, facilities, and media relations.
04
Internships
Internship I hours are built into your courses; Internship II brings it together in the field.
Your path to certification
- Complete 36 graduate credit hours with at least a 3.0 GPA and no more than 6 hours below a B.
- Complete the state-required written assessment, which is built into your coursework.
- Pass the state Building Level Administrator assessment (Test Code 080).
- Apply for certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Certification is granted by DESE, not the university, and requirements can change. Program details are in the Education Administration Handbook.
36
credit hours
080
state assessment test code
Thinking about leading outside Missouri? Check that state’s requirements and MVU’s professional licensure disclosures.
Where can this degree take me?
Lead in K–12 schools
The program prepares you for school leadership roles in public and private schools, like these.
Principal
Assistant principal
Private school leadership
Instructional leadership
For current pay and job outlook, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics guide to elementary, middle, and high school principals.
Affording your degree
Plan your investment
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, and there are several ways to help pay for it.
Tuition
$500 per credit hour for 2026–27, plus a $200 enrollment fee each academic year. See tuition and fees.
Graduate assistantships
Some graduate students work on campus as graduate assistants. See current openings on Employment Opportunities.
Financial aid
Graduate students may qualify for federal loans and other aid. Start with Tuition & Financial Aid.
Explore the curriculum
36 credit hours, step by step
Twelve 3-credit courses plus two internships. Internship I carries no credit because its hours are built into your courses.
Leadership foundations (9 credit hours)
- EDUC 501 Foundations of Educational Leadership
- EDUC 502 Current Issues in Educational Leadership
- EDUC 503 School Leadership: The Principalship
Instruction, curriculum, and research (12 credit hours)
- EDUC 504 Teacher Evaluation and Instructional Improvement
- EDUC 507 Supervision and Building Management
- EDUC 510 Curriculum Analysis & Design
- EDUC 511 Educational Research
School operations (12 credit hours)
- EDUC 505 Education Finance
- EDUC 506 Education Law
- EDUC 508 Educational Media Relations
- EDUC 509 Facilities Analysis and Design
Internships (3 credit hours)
- EDUC 512 Internship I, hours built into courses (0 credits)
- EDUC 513 Internship II
Ready to take the next step?
Applying is simple
Four steps from application to your first course.
01
Apply online
Complete the free online application. A personal portal is created for you.
02
Upload your materials
Add a 1–3 page personal statement about your interest and goals, and two or more professional letters of recommendation.
03
Send transcripts
Have official transcripts from every college you’ve attended sent to MVU.
04
Start your program
Pick one of six start dates and begin your leadership coursework.
Admission requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework. If you hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution, your graduate GPA may be used.
- Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- An updated resume.
- A personal statement (1–3 typed pages) on your interest in the degree and your career goals.
- Two or more letters of professional recommendation from former professors, supervisors, or other professionals.
- International applicants: I-20s can’t be issued for this program until its federal (SEVIS) review is complete.
Deadlines
- Fall (August–December): apply by August 1. Fall second 8 weeks: October 1.
- Spring (January–May): apply by December 1. Spring second 8 weeks: February 1.
- Summer (May–July): apply by April 1. Summer second 8 weeks: June 1.
- Applications are reviewed until classes begin, as space allows.
Does this program lead to certification?
Yes. It leads to K–12 administration certification. You’ll also need to pass the state Building Level Administrator assessment (Test Code 080) and apply through DESE.
What GPA do I need to complete the program?
At least a 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours below a grade of B.
When can I start?
There are six application deadlines a year: two each in the fall, spring, and summer. See Deadlines above.
What are the internships like?
Internship I hours are built into your courses. Internship II is a 3-credit field experience. Details are in the Education Administration Handbook.
What standards does the program follow?
The Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and the Missouri Model Leader Standards.
What if I want to grow as a teacher instead?
Take a look at the Master of Arts in Education, a 100% online program for professional educators.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about certification, start dates, or internships? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
MA in Education Administration