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
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.
Accreditation:
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.
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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed.S. – Ed Leadership K-12 | $436 | $1,308 | $13,080 |
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 and are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
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.
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.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/20/25 | 10/10/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/9/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/15/25 | 12/5/25 |
| Spring 1 | 1/12/26 | 1/5/26 | 1/6/26 | 1/7/26 | 1/8/26 | 2/27/26 |
| Spring 2 | 3/9/26 | 2/20/26 | 2/25/26 | 2/27/26 | 3/3/26 | 4/24/26 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
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:
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 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.
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.
Still undecided?
Check out our other education online degree programs.
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
Disclaimer Popup Heading
Nullam fermentum efficitur felis sit amet tempus. Vivamus scelerisque porttitor sagittis. Integer id sodales lorem. Donec tincidunt in nibh sed ultrices.
primary headline
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
Request Information