MSEA with K-12 Principal Cert & EdD
Take Your Place as a Leader with Our
Online MS in Educational Administration (MSEA) w/K-12 Principal Cert & EdD
Become an Agent for Change
Create positive learning environments, facilitate more impactful and inclusive classroom experiences, and develop advanced leadership skills with GMercyU’s online MSEA with K-12 Principal Certification & EdD program.
Flexible Online Study
Life is busy for full-time teachers like you. That’s why we blend live learning sessions and independent study. Continue working as you complete one 7-week course at a time, which allows you to focus deeply on the subject matter.
Your Streamlined Path to a Terminal Degree
Take MS in Educational Administration courses that are equivalent to six EdD in Educational Leadership (K-12) courses to earn two advanced degrees in as few as four years, saving you a year of effort and up to $19,000 in tuition.
Versatile, Practical Certification
In addition to doctoral studies composed of research courses, dissertation advisement courses, and three residencies, this robust hybrid program prepares you to pursue Pennsylvania certification as a K-12 principal*.
Program Features
Maximize your career options with this streamlined, accelerated pathway toward earning both a master’s and doctoral degree, as well as principal certification. This unique program waives 18 credits of EdD coursework, enabling you to earn both degrees in as few as four years.
Key facts:
- 66 credits of flexible online coursework covering core leadership and management skills, policy and politics, law and ethics, and more.
- Hands-on skill development with practicum experience in educational leadership prepares you for senior leadership roles in K-12, higher education, governmental agencies, or NGOs.
- Small classes make it possible for you to connect to GMercyU’s close-knit community. Throughout your program, you can share insights with classmates and benefit from our experienced, supportive faculty.
- This dual-degree program directly and seamlessly connects an MSEA with K-12 Principal Certification to an EdD in Educational Leadership, saving you both time and money.
Develop practical managerial skills for recruiting and motivating staff, handling budgets, connecting with community resources, and more. Applicants to this program must have three years of teaching experience at the time of graduation.
The Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership program empowers you to transform schools, departments, and school districts as an administrative leader, department supervisor, or more effective teacher. Dissertation advisement begins on day one, keeping you on track to finish on time. In addition to asynchronous online courses, you will also benefit from two residencies at our Gwynedd Valley, PA campus and one international experience.
Program Details
Course Sequence
First Year – 15 credits
- Curriculum & Instruction Supervision
- School-Community Relations
- School Law & Policy Issues
- Human Resources & Staff Development
- School Resources Management
Second Year
- Seminar in Educational Leadership, Supervision, & Equity
- Practicum I: Leadership in Supervision
- Current Issues in Education
- Practicum II: K12 Principalship
- Research Skills for School Leadership
Third Year
- Educational Policy in Research & Practice in the US
- Dissertation Advisement I
- Quantitative Educational Research Methods
- Qualitative Educational Research Methods
- Global Education in Policy & Practice
- Dissertation Advisement II
Fourth Year
- Social Justice, Systems of Power, & Cultural Identity
- Ethics of Educational Leadership & Policy
- The Superintendency
- Dissertation Advisement III
- School Boards & School District Governance
- Dissertation Advisement IV
Upcoming Start Dates:
- Spring 2026: January 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: TBD
To qualify for admission to Master of Science in Educational Administration w/K-12 Cert & EdD, you must provide:
- Proof you have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0** You must provide official transcripts from every college or university attended
- Proof of a current Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate
- A completed and signed application
- A current professional resume demonstrating three to five years of full-time teaching experience depending on your chosen certificate.
- A writing sample stating your professional and academic goals (one page, double-spaced)
- Two completed supervisory reference forms
- A minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination if English is not your native language
* If you wish to become a principal in another state, you will need to confirm with your state’s department of education that our program meets its requirements.
**If your GPA was lower than 3.0, we encourage you to apply for evaluation on a case by case basis. Personal interviews may be required for any candidates as determined by the admissions committee.
Estimated 2025-2026 costs: $784 per credit hour – MSEA and $1,182 per credit hour – EdD
- Online MSEA with K-12 Principal Certification and EdD in Educational Leadership ($66,072 for the complete 66-credit program)
Fees: The administrative costs of your education are covered through fees. Fees are not refundable. To learn more about tuition and fees, contact an enrollment representative today.
Financial Aid: To learn how to determine your Financial Aid eligibility, please contact the financial aid office at finacialaid@gmercyu.edu or 877-499-6333.
Continuing Your Education
Post-Master’s Certification Options
At GMercyU, we believe in lifelong learning, which is why we offer online Post-Master’s Certificate programs in areas such as secondary, higher, and special education, as well as superintendent certification. Explore them here.
*Certification Statement
The MSEA program was designed to meet certification requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.
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Prepare to Create Change in K-12 Schools
with GMercyU
Find out how you can develop the leadership skills you need to transform education and improve student outcomes. Contact a GMercyU enrollment representative today to learn more about the online dual MSEA & EdD program.