Teachers make a difference in children’s lives in many ways. They help young people discover a passion for a subject. They stand by ready to lend an ear. They compel students to find multiple solutions to a problem.
At some point, teachers may want to advance their careers and make an impact beyond the classroom. Enrolling in the online Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Educational Leadership program from Eastern Washington University (EWU) prepares teachers to take the next step in their education careers. As leaders equipped with a specialized master’s degree in education, teachers gain the opportunity to create, enforce and change processes and policies. Educational leaders partner with school staff, families and the community to drive continuous improvement and student success.
The First Step for Moving Into School Leadership Roles
The Occupational Outlook Handbook for elementary, middle and high school principals from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates these roles typically require a master’s degree and five years or more of work experience. Given this, a critical first step toward a school leadership role is enrolling in a master of education program. Coursework in EWU’s online M.Ed. – Educational Leadership program equips educators with the specialized knowledge, skills and expertise they need to succeed in various traditional and nontraditional leadership roles in education. Notably, many states require that applicants for school leadership positions possess an education-related master’s degree or be close to finishing a program.
Education is also one of the most popular areas of graduate study. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), postsecondary institutions conferred 151,707 education master’s degrees in the 2021-22 academic year, making it the second most common area of master’s-level study. It is therefore likely that many applicants for school administration roles will hold a master’s degree, meaning earning one can greatly increase an educator’s chances of landing their job of choice.
Choosing an M.Ed. Specialization: Why Educational Leadership Can Help Teachers Stand Out
A general master of education degree can usually satisfy the degree requirement for administrative roles. However, those interested in qualifying for leadership roles will greatly benefit from earning an M.Ed. in educational leadership. Specializing in educational leadership and gaining role-specific skills and expertise can help candidates stand out from applicants with other types of education master’s degrees.
Before researching graduate programs, teachers should check with their state to identify specific requirements for administrative roles and leadership positions in education. Conducting research on a state’s department of education website is a good place to start.
What Do Typical M.Ed. – Educational Leadership Curricula Cover?
M.Ed. in educational leadership curricula cover a range of leadership topics, though specific courses vary by program and state. Typical M.Ed. in educational leadership courses explore subjects like conflict resolution, curriculum design, school culture development, human resources and school finance. Most universities align educational leadership learning outcomes with national standards and state education requirements for different types of certification or licensure.
M.Ed. programs generally have specific requirements according to each degree specialization. For example, EWU’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership requires degree candidates to complete 12 credit hours of common core courses relating to education reform, philosophy and organization of schools, and educational research. EWU’s educational leadership specialization requirements include 37 credit hours of courses focused on subjects like instructional supervision, curricular design and evaluation, school law, school administration and school-community relations.
The curriculum also includes an internship and a comprehensive examination that integrates all principles, concepts and research methodologies covered throughout the program. Together, these components equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to step into meaningful leadership roles in education.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Education — Educational Leadership program.
