Program Details
- Next Start Date: March 16, 2026
- Est. Program Length: 1-2 years
- Credit Hours: 36
- Course Length: 8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit: $505
Program Overview
The online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement program from Aurora University has a long history of preparing principals for leadership positions. Strategically designed to take your education career to the next level, this degree is approved by the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) to ensure you graduate with the competitive edge you need to move into a leadership or administrator role.
The program is offered at a competitive tuition rate and can be completed online through AU’s interactive, virtual classroom. Access course materials on your time, discuss ideas with expert educators, and complete your online educational leadership degree in as little as two years.
Curriculum Overview
The online MA in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement program utilizes a curriculum focused on school administration and management essentials. Under the guidance of industry-professional educators, you’ll explore supervision techniques, organizational theory, fiscal management, school law, and more. You’ll also gain hands-on experience through an internship opportunity in which you’ll gain expert skills that you can immediately apply in the workplace.
Discover Your Potential
Graduate student Kelly Klingberg explains how Aurora’s convenient online format and supportive faculty members have helped her pursue the online MA in Educational Leadership while balancing a teaching career and family life.
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I did do a lot of research when it came time for this degree, the Ed Leadership degree. I am still full-time working. I’m a mother of three busy kids. There was no way, and any chance, that I could possibly attend a class for four hours once a week or whatever. It was like, okay, I want something that’s going to be pretty quick turnaround, get started, get going. AU was completely online. It’s not a bad timeline at all, it’s very manageable. All the faculty members, they’ve been easy to reach out to and they’ve been more than willing to kinda drop what they’re doing or help however they can from wherever they’re at. They do still have jobs in teaching, administration; so they could offer a letter of recommendation for the future.I think what I’m excited about would just be the possibilities. I see the potential in myself.
Skills Gained in the Online Educational Leadership Degree
Complete 36 credit hours led by expert faculty members to earn Aurora’s online MA in Educational Leadership. Complete two internships for experiential learning, and graduate ready to pursue jobs in educational leadership with new skills and expertise in:
- Educational technology
- Fiscal management
- Leadership
- Organizational theory
- School-community relations
- School improvement
- Supervision
Why Choose AU?
At Aurora University, you’ll learn from practitioner-based faculty members who are focused on teaching an industry-aligned curriculum. Our online programs are designed for working professionals and built with maximum flexibility in mind, so you’ll have the support you need to balance your studies with your busy schedule. Imagine what you can accomplish at a university that offers:
- No GRE/GMAT
- No application fee
- A full suite of Career Services and Resources.
- A student-first educational experience.
- Programs accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- The personal attention and support you expect from a small college.
“All the faculty members have been easy to reach out to, and they’ve been more than willing to help however they can.”
Kelly Klingberg
AU Graduate Student
Program Details
- Next Start Date:March 16, 2026
- Est. Program Length:1-2 years
- Credit Hours:36
- Course Length:8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$505
Educational Leadership and Principal Endorsement Courses Online
The online MA in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement requires 36 semester hours: 9 courses totaling 27 semester hours and 9 semester hours of internship experience.
Required Core Courses
- EDU6510 Educational Leadership and Organizational Theory – 3 hours
- EDU6515 Technology for School Leaders – 3 hours
- EDU6525 The Leader’s Role in Human Resources and Supervision of Staff – 3 hours
- EDU6530 The Leadership Role in Curriculum Development, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation – 3 hours
- EDU6535 The Leader’s Role in School-Community Relations – 3 hours
- EDU6565 The Leader’s Role in Fiscal Management – 3 hours
- EDU6570 School Leadership and the Law – 3 hours
- EDU6575 School Leadership and the Law for Special Populations – 3 hours
- EDU6580 The Leader’s Role in School Improvement Learning – 3 hours
Internship Experience
- EDU6585 Introduction to the Internship – 3 hours
- EDU6590 Internship for Educational Leadership I – 3 hours
- EDU6595 Internship for Educational Leadership II – 3 hours
- A completed Graduate Application for Admission.
- Submit official transcripts to transcripts.aurora@risepoint.com
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a grade point average of 2.75 or greater or a graduate degree indicating a GPA of 3.0 or higher, both based on a 4.0 scale.
- A current resume documenting teaching and leadership experience.
- Applicants are required to complete an interview with the program director and complete a timed writing sample.
Principal Endorsement Program Requirements:
- Hold a professional educator license (early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K–12, preschool to age 21, or school service personnel).
- Be in a current full-time teaching or school service position and have two or more years of teaching experience or school service work in a Pre-K–12 setting.
All AU students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU uses Brightspace to host its online classes. All students will be charged an $80 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken.
Transfer credits are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Educational Leadership — Principal Endorsement Program (MA) Career Outcomes
With an online master's degree in educational leadership from AU, you’ll be prepared to make a meaningful impact through a range of educational leadership jobs. Illinois is ranked fifth in the nation for the highest employment of education and library occupations in the U.S. as of 2024, and Chicago ranks third among metropolitan areas.1
Upon completion of your online educational leadership degree, pursue any of the following roles:
- Academic dean ($102,900/year in Illinois2)
- K-12 department head ($86,830/year in Illinois2)
- Instructional coordinator ($86,150/year in Illinois2)
- K-12 principal ($114,230/year in Illinois2)
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 25-0000 Educational Instruction and Library Occupations (Major Group).” April 3, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from https://bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes250000.htm.. .
Next Steps
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