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Educational Leadership (Master of Science)

Quality educational leadership is imperative to the success of our schools and our students. In fact, studies have shown that effective leadership is second only to quality teaching in terms of improving student achievement. If you aspire to become a strong and effective leader in education, Creighton University’s online Master of Science in Educational Leadership is for you.

Creighton offers guaranteed scholarships to all educators to help support and encourage teachers to continue to their education in leadership. See the tuition and fees section below for more details.

“We've designed the Educational Leadership program around the leadership behaviors and practices that researchers have told us make the greatest difference for student outcomes.”
—Ann Mausbach, PhD | Associate Professor and Program Director, College of Arts and Sciences

Rooted in Jesuit values, Creighton’s educational leadership master’s goes far beyond the administrative aspects of school leadership. It teaches students the importance of compassion, relationship-building, reflection and humility in their work. Through hands-on, project-based learning experiences, you’ll learn to lead and manage a school, sustain a positive school culture, and respond to diverse community and political interests.

A personalized degree that fits your lifestyle

We know graduate school is a huge investment of your time and money, so we make sure your investment is a smart one—and one you can fit in your schedule. This 36-credit master’s degree in educational leadership is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and can be completed online (with one short on-campus requirement) in two years.

Creighton’s program is designed for individuals who hope to pursue a leadership role in public or private education. You can choose to select a school administration, teacher leadership, K-12 educational leadership through sports specialization, depending on your individual career goals. For individuals interested in leading in a Catholic school, Creighton offers a Catholic School Leadership certificate.

Ann Mausbach, PhD | Associate Professor and Program Director, College of Arts and Sciences

“Our goal for Educational Leadership graduates is to give them all the tools and practice that will let them hit the ground running when they get their first leadership job.”

Program Details

Specializations

Through the MS in Educational Leadership program, you’ll develop the advanced skills and experience to become a highly effective educational leader.

To help you achieve your goals, our educational leadership master’s program offers these specializations:

School Administration Specialization — Prepare for your license as an elementary or secondary school principal by gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of school administration. View the course requirements of this specialization.
Teacher Leadership Specialization — Gain the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to serve as a teacher leader in roles such as instructional coach, mentor, or curriculum specialist. View the course requirements of this specialization.
K-12 Educational Leadership through Sports Specialization – Acquire the skills necessary to serve as a leader within a public or private school athletic department by strengthening your understanding of school leadership processes through a sports lens.

Faculty

Creighton’s education programs are nationally recognized as excellent by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Higher Learning Commission. This reputation is earned thanks to Creighton’s carefully designed program curricula and standards, as well as the talented faculty who apply Jesuit values to ensure student success.

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Professional Licensure Requirements

Professional licensure requirements are determined solely by each state and may change without notice to Creighton. While our information is updated annually, Creighton cannot guarantee continuous accuracy.

Creighton also cannot guarantee that any student will attain state-established licensure or certification in any field or jurisdiction. Current and prospective students should consult the appropriate licensing agency in the state where they plan to practice to confirm updated requirements and ensure program compatibility.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS in Educational Leadership program, applicants must:

Complete an application
Possess a bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA or higher
Provide a transcript displaying completion of a teaching degree (exemptions available). Read more about sending transcripts here

Provide a teaching certificate (exemptions available) and have at least two years of successful teaching experience (can be in progress as you begin the program)
Submit a personal statement (see application for specific requirements)
Submit two letters of recommendation from persons other than friends or family members
Pass a background check (if offer of admission is extended)
Submit felony convictions and mental capacity statements

A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.

Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your enrollment specialist.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. Visit our financial aid site for more details.

Scholarships

$7,200 scholarship available automatically for all educators—$200 per credit will be applied to each course throughout the program.

Student Support Fund

Creighton’s Student Support Fund helps eligible students finance costs, outside of Creighton University tuition and fees, required of educators to be certified as a teacher, counselor or administrator in the state of Nebraska.

Once admitted, students with financial need may apply for funding for specific items required by the state of Nebraska or Creighton University. Funds may also be awarded for students in need for presentations at conferences or publishing in peer reviewed journals.

Financial Aid

To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.

Have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.

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Learn More About Funding Your Education

Fill Out the FAFSA Application

Dates and Deadlines

The table below details the enrollment deadline and starting date of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.

ONLINE

START CLASSES IN	APPLY BY
June	April 1

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Certificate Options

If you’re not ready to commit to a full master’s degree right now, you can earn a graduate certificate in education in about half the time. Options include:

Catholic School Leadership (Graduate Certificate)

Students who complete the following courses will also earn a graduate certificate in Catholic School Leadership: