Educational Specialist – Educational Leadership K-12 Online

Renew your love for teaching and transition into a position as a principal or school leader while creating opportunities for a higher salary.

Apply by: 1/3/25
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Learn more about the Northwest online Ed.S. Educational Leadership K-12 program

The Ed.S. is a degree one step above the Master of Science/Arts degree. Curriculum in this program is built for licensed classroom teachers who have previously earned a Master of Science/Arts in an area other than building level administration. This advanced degree expands your abilities as an educator and teaches you the skills to improve collaboration with faculty and community members and to effectively manage resources and develop partnerships. In turn, the program helps to guides you into a successful building level leader.

In this post-graduate program, you will learn valuable skills to support the development of a positive school culture conducive to student learning and supportive of professional growth for staff members. Online courses are taught by the same respected, experienced faculty who teach on campus.

Northwest students who are working on or have obtained the educational specialist degree in educational leadership K12 building-level administration can choose to add on the classes needed for additional certification in the superintendency and/or special education administration. Superintendent certification requires an additional five classes and minimum three years of building level administrative experience. Special education administration requires a transcript audit to determine the needed coursework. Both options need to be coordinated with the appropriate program coordinator.

Non-Missouri students should check with your state department to determine reciprocity.

Graduates of this online degree in educational leadership K-12 program will be prepared to:

  • Ensure effective management of the organization, operation and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment
  • Collaborate with faculty and community members in response to diverse community interests and needs and mobilize community resources
  • Develop a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and professional growth of staff
  • Advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students and families within the community
  • Set a widely shared vision for learning while promoting the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitment necessary for equitable protocols for student support
  • Establish a school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly
  • Display positive building-level instructional and clinical practice leadership attributes in diversity, equity and inclusion, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork
  • Ensure effective management of the organization, operation and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment
  • Collaborate with faculty and community members in response to diverse community interests and needs and mobilize community resources
  • Develop a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and professional growth of staff
  • Advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students and families within the community
  • Set a widely shared vision for learning while promoting the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitment necessary for equitable protocols for student support
  • Establish a school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly
  • Display positive building-level instructional and clinical practice leadership attributes in diversity, equity and inclusion, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork

Career opportunities include:

  • Elementary, Middle School or High School Principal
  • Public School Administrator
  • Assistant Principal
  • Education Program Coordinator
  • Athletic Director
  • Private School Administrator
  • Elementary, Middle School or High School Principal
  • Public School Administrator
  • Assistant Principal
  • Education Program Coordinator
  • Athletic Director
  • Private School Administrator

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.

Total Tuition $12,570*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Find out how and when to pay your tuition

Our Ed.S. – Educational Leadership K-12 online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $12,570*
Per Credit Hour $419

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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45
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

The schedule for our online Ed.S. Educational Leadership K-12 program

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/7/2410/10/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/6/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/21/254/24/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 1/3/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

These are the steps to being admitted to our Ed.S. in Educational Leadership online program

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Ed.S. – Educational Leadership K-12 online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:

Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:

  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Documentation of ONE of the following:
    • Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate
    • Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE)
    • 3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE®
    • National Board Certification

If you have started and did not finish an Ed.S. program at another regionally accredited university, you may be able to transfer up to nine credit hours. If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.

Northwest students who have completed the M.S. will be assigned new courses for those already taken and will still take 10 classes (30 hours in the Ed.S. program).

Northwest students who have completed the M.S. can add to their K-12 building level administration and qualify for superintendent certification by completing five more classes and the Missouri content exam. Additionally, M.S alumni can use this Ed.S. – Educational Leadership K-12 degree to pursue a special education director certification with additional coursework and DESE request. Both options need to be coordinated with the appropriate program coordinator.

Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

Read about our online Ed.S. Educational Leadership K-12 classes

For the Ed.S. – Educational Leadership K-12 online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).

Students will complete 300+ clock hours throughout the program - 27 hours in each of the first 9 courses and 60 hours in the internship course.  All work done in the program will count toward these hours.  

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the laws of our country as they apply to all phases of the public school. Stress is placed upon laws concerning superintendents, principals, teachers and pupils. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the nature and functioning of effective school organization and administration, including the study of leadership theories.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course prepares educational leaders for their roles in managing certified and classified personnel to effectively achieve the objectives of educational programs K-12.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of current educational thought as it relates to the general P-12 curriculum, its development, and evaluation. Emphasis is on using classroom curriculum to improve student learning. The goal is to help teachers to learn to think as a teacher leader about issues in P-12 education in a critical and insightful manner.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students taking this course should become familiar with specific leadership skills that are basic to performing in the principalship. The school administrator must be able to demonstrate effective knowledge and application of leadership behavior, communication skills, group processes, curriculum development, instructional leadership, assessment, organization management, fiscal management, and political management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare school leaders for effective two-way communication with families and the community. In addition, school leaders will effectively engage families, community and school personnel in strengthening student learning in and out of school. This course will prepare school leaders to build and sustain productive partnerships with communities and public and private sectors to promote school improvement and student development. Finally, this course will prepare school leaders to advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students, families and the community. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Having a two-fold focus, this course treats (1) basic methods of developing and reporting educational research and literature and (2) techniques of interpreting and evaluating educational research and literature. Basic statistical methods are utilized in each of the components. Prerequisite: Ed.S. students only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to acquaint experienced teachers and administrators with the functions, organization, curriculum, and personnel associated with the middle school; with concentration on the early adolescent/transescent learner. Prerequisite: Admission to the Specialist in Education program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, candidates have an opportunity to provide coherent, authentic, experiences that provide opportunities to synthesize and apply the content knowledge, develop and refine the professional skills, and demonstrate their capabilities as articulated in each of the elements included in NELP Building-Level Program Standards. **MUST BE TAKEN ALONE AS THE LAST COURSE FOR THE EdS EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP K-12 PROGRAM**

Still undecided?

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

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