Master of Science in Educational Leadership with a concentration in School Administration

Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

Are you looking to move into an administrative role? Do you want to empower others and lead in the P-12 school environment? The online Master of Science in Educational Leadership with a concentration in School Administration prepares educators for a variety of functions school administrators must perform. The online coursework encompasses robust topics such as school leadership, school legal and ethical decision making and leading school curriculum. The program is designed to complement the professional lives of educators and can be completed in 14 months.

Program highlights:

Participants are provided extensive opportunities to make connections between research and practice and to experience interactive teaching and learning.
Coursework for this degree will teach you to analyze data, evaluate instruction, improve student achievement, promote change, establish a positive school culture, understand budgets and manage resources.
The college is nationally accredited by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council and approved for administrative licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education.
It is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Who should pursue this degree?

This degree is what those interested in school administration in elementary, secondary or postsecondary schools will need to advance their careers.

What are some potential careers?

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional positions in education including principals, assistant principals, headmasters, deans, athletic directors, lead teachers or chairs of academic departments.

What are some potential careers?

Program Structure

Required Courses

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8413	School Legal and Ethical Perspectives	3
EDL 8423	School Leadership	3
EDL 8433	Using Data for School Improvement	3
EDL 8513	School Leadership Internship I	3
EDL 8523	Educating Diverse Learners	3
EDL 8613	School Leadership Internship II	3
EDL 8623	Leading Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment	3
EDL 8633	Human Resources Leadership for Schools	3
EDL 8713	School Business and Facilities	3
EDL 8723	Leadership for Positive School Culture	3
Total Hours:		30

A comprehensive examination is also held during their final semester. Students will be required to complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). Students must also submit their SLLA results to the program for completion.

Admissions Process

To be eligible for admission to the program, the applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of P-12 schools, and demonstrate academic proficiency based on the following indicators:

Grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the last half of the bachelor's degree
Recommendation letter
Statement of purpose
Copy of valid teacher's license
Evidence of three years of teaching experience
Current resume
Letter of endorsement from current school administrator
Interview

Domestic/International Classified Admissions
Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Submit online application. You will choose Master of Science - Education Leadership with a concentration in School Administration (EDLD) as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
Statement of Purpose
Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Master of Science - Education Leadership with a concentration in School Administration (EDLD online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.