Overview
Learn More about the Northwest Online Ed.S. Educational Leadership K-12 Program
With curriculum built for licensed teachers who have earned a master's degree, the Education Specialist in K-12 Leadership online program expands your abilities as an educator and teaches you skills to improve collaboration with faculty and community members, to effectively manage resources and to develop partnerships.
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.
NWMS students who have completed the MS can add to their K-12 building level administration and qualify for superintendent certification by completing 5 more classes and MO content exam. Additionally, MS 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.
If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.
Northwest Missouri State University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2027. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.
Graduates of this online 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
Career opportunities include:
- Elementary, Middle School or High School Principal
- Public School Administrator
- Assistant Principal
- Education Program Coordinator
- Athletic Director
- Private School Administrator
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.
Tuition and Fees
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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed.S. – Educational Leadership K-12 | $375 | $1,125 | $11,250 |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Current amounts are based on 2020-21 tuition rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2019).
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.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 01/11/23 | 01/03/23 | 01/03/23 | 01/04/23 | 01/06/23 | 03/03/23 |
| Spring 2 | 03/13/23 | 02/24/23 | 03/01/23 | 03/07/23 | 03/08/23 | 04/28/23 |
| Summer 1 | 05/09/23 | 04/25/23 | 04/28/23 | 05/02/23 | 05/04/23 | 06/23/23 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/23 | 06/09/23 | 06/14/23 | 06/16/23 | 06/21/23 | 08/11/23 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/23 | 08/07/23 | 08/10/23 | 08/14/23 | 08/16/23 | 10/06/23 |
| Fall 2 | 10/16/23 | 10/02/23 | 10/05/23 | 10/09/23 | 10/11/23 | 12/01/23 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northwest?
Admissions
These Are the Steps to Being Admitted to Our Online Educational Leadership 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:
View all admission requirements
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
Students who have started and did not finish an Ed.S. program at another regionally accredited university, may be able to transfer up to nine credit hours per advisor approval. If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.
NWMS students who have completed the MS will be assigned new courses for those already taken and will still take 10 classes (30 hours in the EdS program).
NWMS students who have completed the MS can add to their K-12 building level administration and qualify for superintendent certification by completing 5 more classes and MO content exam. Additionally, MS 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 SpecialistNorthwest 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.
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).
EDUC 61642: Multicultural Education for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Duration: 7 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.
Duration: 7 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. 21 hours field experience.
EDUC 61730: Foundations of Educational Administration
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of the nature and functioning of effective school organization and administration, including the study of leadership theories.
EDUC 61731: School Supervision
Duration: 7 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 | Credit Hours: 3
A survey of current educational thought as it relates to the general P-12 curriculum, its development and evaluation. Emphasis 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 | 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.
EDUC 61623: Relational School Leadership
Duration: 7 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. 21 hours field experience.
EDUC 61723: Writing and Interpreting Educational Literature and Statistics
Duration: 7 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 | Credit Hours: 3
Designed to acquaint prospective or experienced teachers and administrators with the functions, organization, curriculum and personnel associated with the middle school; with concentration on the early adolescent learner.
Duration: 7 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?
Check out our other education online degree programs.
