Step Up to
School Leadership
Take Your Place as a Leader with Our
Online MS in Educational Administration (MSEA)
Become an Agent for Change
Whether you want to create positive learning environments, develop more impactful and inclusive learning experiences, or both, GMercyU’s online MSEA can help you develop the advanced leadership skills you need.
Flexible Online Study
We know how busy life is for full-time teachers like you. That’s why we offer the MSEA online with a blend of live sessions and independent study. Plus, we schedule you to take one course every seven weeks, allowing you to focus deeply on the subject matter.
Versatile, Practical Certification Options
Pursue Pennsylvania certification* as a K-12 principal or curriculum and instruction supervisor. You can also combine both with our dual certification option.
Lead at Your School
In as few as 20-months, you can graduate with your MSEA and take the lead in your school district.
Select Your Certification
K-12 Principal Certification
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.
Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Certification
Learn to develop more engaging and effective programs of study. This program extends on the MSEA core curriculum with content in curriculum design, technology integration, student assessment strategies, outcomes analysis, and more. Applicants must have at least five years of full-time experience teaching on an Instructional I Certification in Pennsylvania at the time of enrollment.
Dual Certification: K-12 Principal and Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor
Take just two additional courses and prepare for 360° leadership in K-12 schools. Applicants must have at least five years of teaching experience on an Instructional I Certification in Pennsylvania to qualify for admission.
MSEA with K-12 Principal Certification and EdD in Educational Leadership
Maximize your career options with this streamlined, accelerated pathway toward both a master’s and doctoral degree, as well as principal certification. This unique program saves you both time and money by waiving 18 credits of EdD coursework. Earn both degrees in as few as four years.
Program Features
Become an agent for change inside and outside the classroom—and advance from classroom teaching to leadership—with our flexible online MSEA program.
Key facts:
- 33-39 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 general school leadership and your chosen certification area(s).
- Small classes make it possible for you to connect to GMercyU’s close-knit learning community. Throughout your program, you can share insights with fellow classmates and benefit from the experience our seasoned faculty members bring to the table.
- Two Degrees in One: Choose to continue your education and earn a Doctorate in Education with our combined master’s degree with K-12 Principal Certification plus an EdD. By directly and seamlessly connecting the MSEA to the EdD in Educational Leadership, you can accelerate your path to earning a terminal degree while saving time and money.
Program Details
Core Curriculum – 21 credits
- Current Issues in Education
- Curriculum and Instructional Supervision
- Educational Leadership
- Human Resources and Staff Development
- Practicum I: Leadership in School Administration
- Research Skills for School Leadership
- School Law and Policy Issues
Certification Curriculum: Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor – 12 credits
- Instructional Leadership and Technology
- Practicum II: Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction
- Professional Development and Leadership
- Research, Analysis and Assessment of Outcomes
Certification Curriculum: K-12 Principal – 12 credits
- The Principalship
- Practicum II: K-12 Principalship
- School-Community Relations
- School Resources Management
Dual Certificate Curriculum – 18 credits
- Instructional Leadership and Technology
- The Principalship
- Practicum II: K-12 Principalship
- Practicum II: Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction
- School-Community Relations
- School Resources Management
The MS in Educational Administration program enrolls new students twice a year, each spring and fall.
Upcoming Start Dates:
- Spring 2025: March 24, 2025
- Fall 2025: TBD
To qualify for admission to Master of Science in Educational Administration, 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 2024-2025 costs: $750 per credit hour
- MS in Educational Administration, Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Certificate ($24,750 for the complete 33-credit program)
- MS in Educational Administration, K-12 Principal Certificate ($24,750 for the complete 33-credit program)
- MS in Educational Administration, Dual Certification ($29,250 for the complete 39-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 nontermaid@gmercyu.edu or 877-499-6333.
Continuing Your Education
Post-Master’s Certification Options
You can extend your knowledge with additional online Post-Master’s Certificate programs from GMercyU. Options include special education and more. 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 build the leadership skills you need to improve student outcomes as a principal or curriculum and instruction supervisor. Contact a GMercyU enrollment representative today to learn more about the online MSEA!