Master of Science in Education in Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation Online
Become an agent for change in PK-12 education while completing the requirements for a Principal Endorsement on your Illinois Professional Educator license.
Enrollment for our accelerated online MSEd programs is open. Get started today!
Program Overview
Learn about the online MSEd – Principal Preparation program
$17,382.60
Total Tuition
as few as 12 months
Program Duration
36
Credit Hours
Prepare to transition into school administrative or leadership roles with the MSEd, Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation online program from SIUE.
In this principal education program, you will gain an applicable background in instructional and curriculum leadership, data-driven school improvement and accountability, sociocultural foundations of education, school law and more. Field experiences are embedded into the curriculum.
You can complete the Master of Science in educational administration program while working, in order to meet eligibility standards for principal or assistant principal endorsement on your Illinois Professional Educators license. Upon graduation, SIUE verifies that you have completed the necessary steps and entitles certification with the Illinois State Board of Education. The principal endorsement is also one of the pathways to earning a superintendent endorsement in the state of Illinois.
The course work is generally acceptable for certification in other states, including Initial Administration Certification in Missouri. For considerations regarding licensure in other states, click here.
This fully accredited master’s program is aligned to standards established by both the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration. Plus, SIUE is a member of the University Council of Educational Administration, a premier organization for educational leadership and administration.
In this online principal preparation program, you will:
- Develop a professional knowledge base integrating both practical and research knowledge and linking theory with inquiry
- Demonstrate collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and build partnerships
- Use school-level data and research evidence to identify problems and develop meaningful solutions
- Understand equity, ethics and social justice as applied to educational practice
- Construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities
- Develop a professional knowledge base integrating both practical and research knowledge and linking theory with inquiry
- Demonstrate collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and build partnerships
- Use school-level data and research evidence to identify problems and develop meaningful solutions
- Understand equity, ethics and social justice as applied to educational practice
- Construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities
Career opportunities:
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Athletic Director
- Dean of Students
- Department Head
- Instructional Coordinator
- Program Coordinator
- Grade Level Coordinator
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Athletic Director
- Dean of Students
- Department Head
- Instructional Coordinator
- Program Coordinator
- Grade Level Coordinator
In 2013, NCATE merged with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council to form the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by CAEP.
Tuition
Discover how and when to pay your tuition
Tuition for the MSEd, Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
This program is eligible for tuition support through the Illinois School Leader Pipeline Program. For more information see this link.
$482.85
Per Credit Hour
$1,448.55
Per 3 Credit-Hour Course
$17,382.60*
Total Tuition
If you are applying for financial aid, please use Federal School Code 001759. For more information, please contact our financial aid office by calling 618-650-3880 or emailing [email protected].
*Tuition includes all fees and is subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to increase tuition and fees at any time.
Calendar
View our application deadlines and class schedules
Work toward your Illinois principal endorsement online at your pace. Choose a convenient start date that best fits your goals.
Upcoming Start Dates
1/2/25
Next Application Deadline
1/18/25
Start Classes
| Term | Start Date | Application/Financial Aid Deadline | Document & Financial Aid Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/18/25 | 1/2/25 | 1/8/25 | 1/14/25 | 1/16/25 | 3/7/25 |
| Spring II | 3/22/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/12/25 | 3/18/25 | 3/20/25 | 5/9/25 |
| Summer I | 5/12/25 | 4/23/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/6/25 | 5/8/25 | 6/23/25 |
| Summer II | 6/28/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/24/25 | 6/26/25 | 8/9/25 |
Admissions
Read more about our application requirements
Admission to the MSEd, Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation online program is based on a variety of factors. You must submit a graduate school application, all post-secondary academic transcripts and a $40 application fee.
MSEd online admission requirements:
- Bachelor's degree with cumulative 2.5 GPA on all undergraduate course work
- Transcripts from all previous colleges/universities attended
- All applicants must show they have at least two years of full-time teaching experience on a valid state license.
- Qualifying for licensure at program completion requires 4 years of experience as a teacher or school support personnel on a valid state license or completion of an Illinois 80-08 form.
- No GRE score required for admission
- All applicants with foreign academic credentials whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency in advance of admission
- Proof of English Proficiency: minimum requirements are TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent
Students meeting the admission requirements will be given provisional admission allowing them to enroll in EDAD 500: Organization and Administration of Schools. During EDAD 500, students complete the candidate selection process. This process includes:
- Completion of a leadership portfolio summarizing leadership experience and potential for instructional leadership
- Identification of a qualified mentor for internship experiences
- Participation in a selection interview
- An assessment of written communication skills based on a response to a case study
Upon successful completion of EDAD 500 and selection as a candidate, students receive full admittance to the program.
All required documents (e.g., official transcripts) should be sent to the following address:
SIUE Office of Graduate and International Admissions
Campus Box 1047
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047
Electronic official transcripts should be submitted to [email protected].
Have a question? Call us at 877-244-4661.Courses
View the course work for the online MSEd – Principal Preparation program
The MSEd, Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation online curriculum is comprised of 36 credit hours.
Also available:
EdS, Educational Administration with a Specialization in Principal Preparation online
