Online Master’s in Educational Leadership MEd Concentration
Program Overview Why get a master’s in educational leadership online?
Gain an in-depth perspective on teaching, learning and educational leadership with the online Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Education Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University — and pursue a career where you could transform the lives of students and staff.
If you're a certified teacher or select K-12 professional who's looking to lead in the area of curriculum and instruction, this could be the degree program for you. And because SNHU's MEd program and educational leadership concentration are aligned with national standards and frameworks from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA), you can feel confident about the value of your degree.
Skills you'll learn:
- How to create positive change for diverse learning communities
- Curriculum design that addresses the complex learning situations of today’s students
- How to support students with different backgrounds, abilities and experiences using principles of Universal Design for Learning and other relevant standards
- Integrating technology into curriculum to enhance teaching and learning
Courses & Curriculum Online educational leadership courses that fit your goals
Make a direct, positive impact on the lives of students when you get your MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Education Leadership at SNHU. In this program, you'll acquire leadership skills that are directly applicable to classroom or administrative roles. You'll learn about innovative, student-centered curriculum development and instruction models, and you'll leave the program with practical experience that can help you advance your career in education.
Online educational leadership courses
The online Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Education Leadership at SNHU includes 11 courses, 3 of which are leadership-focused: Educational Law and Ethics, Building Community Through Education and Leading Educational Organizations.
Your courses will help you develop an understanding of curriculum planning and instruction models like Understanding by Design (UbD) and Differentiated Instruction (DI). Learning how to plan curriculum and tailor instruction to meet students' learning differences is crucial in today’s classroom, regardless of location — and the online educational leadership program can help you build the skill set necessary to do so.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Educational Leadership curriculum.
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure Information
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Education Leadership degree program does not lead to licensure. SNHU offers online post-licensure Master of Education (MEd) programs for currently licensed individuals who are interested in furthering their professional development and enhancing their credentials.
Teaching certification requirements may vary by state. The MEd on its own will not certify someone lacking state licensure to become a classroom teacher. Instead, those looking to teach typically complete undergraduate degree programs approved by a state that leads to certification. Additionally, administrative leaders in public schools may be required to have an education administrator license.
Since state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly, SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of those programs will result in rank, endorsements and/or salary increases and strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board prior to enrolling.
SNHU provides additional information for education programs on our Licensure and Certification Disclosures page. View disclosure information.
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Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025
Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
10-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Additional Requirements:
- Resume including any relevant K-12 instructional or curriculum development experience, for at least six months
- Non-Licensure Acknowledgment form
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online graduate tuition
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$1,911 $3,822 $5,733 $7,644If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199
If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with a master’s in educational leadership?
The current movement to improve the U.S. education system means increased job prospects for administrative leaders who understand the need for higher-performing students and schools. A master's in education can help qualify you for opportunities that allow you to advance your career in education: as a leader, classroom teacher or advocate in the nonprofit space.
An MEd could help you stand out as a credible and competitive candidate in the job market. And once you've landed a position, the educational theory and classroom management skills you learned in your degree program can help you increase your value as an educational professional even more.
Occupations
Instructional coordinators can find roles in a number of educational environments, including:
Work in leadership positions like site administrator or school principal in school or district administrator's offices.
Work directly with students as a classroom teacher and serve as a mentor to other teachers.
Consult based on field experience in support of an organization or lobby for policy to support schools and teachers.
The number of open instructional coordinator positions predicted annually, through 2032, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
The median annual salary for instructional coordinators as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
What SNHU students are saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Teaching is a special profession. As a teacher, you're not only guide and coach your students – you're a lifelong learner as well.
There are many options for professional development in the field of teaching. One of the most comprehensive is to earn a graduate degree that combines research, leadership and curriculum design components that together can position you to lead in the classroom, as an administrator or beyond.
Some jobs you might enjoy with an educational leadership degree are:
- Principal or assistant principal: The principal is a key leadership role in any school. Your key responsibilities may include monitoring student progress and writing policies and procedures for the school. You may be in charge of managing the school budget, hiring staff and overseeing the building and facilities. This role is multi-faceted and dynamic and requires a strong leader to do it well. Your coursework in educational law and ethics as well as community building could come in handy here.
- District administrator: In this leadership role, you might be in charge of overseeing educational programs, curriculum and staff in an entire district instead of just one school. A strong background in leadership principles, including ethics, curriculum design and organizational leadership can be the key to success here.
- Instructional coordinator: Also known as a curriculum designer, this is a multi-faceted role that includes designing curriculum and possibly staff management if you lead a team. A strong background in the principles of curriculum design is, of course, key. The understanding of educational law and how to drive educational change will also help the person in this role shine. You may develop and implement instructional materials and design ways to assess their effectiveness in the classroom.
- Classroom teacher: The role of a classroom teacher is the ultimate leadership position. Every day as a teacher, you have the opportunity to apply your management skills, curriculum design skills and, of course, interpersonal skills to manage a positive and effective classroom.
Teachers are lifelong learners, making continuing education an exciting part of the profession. There are many options for graduate study in education, including specializing in a content area or in the areas of reading, language-based learning disabilities or technology. SNHU makes it convenient and affordable to earn your degree online, in whichever area you choose.
The educational leadership concentration focuses on 3 key areas:
- Educational Law and Ethics, where you may examine the roles of law and ethics in the classroom. You may investigate decision-making processes and use case studies to explore theory and best practices for managing a classroom or learning community.
- Building Community Through Education, where you may focus on the leadership role in managing various community stakeholders in the field of education. This includes learning how to drive positive change among students, faculty, parents and even local businesses and community organizations.
- Leading Educational Organizations, where you may examine leadership roles more closely. This could include the study of finance and budgeting as well as resource management and strategic planning. This course is designed to help you prepare for the well-rounded role of a school principal or district administrator.
Teaching at different levels can require various levels of formal education. For most teaching positions for grades K-12, graduate education or coursework toward a master’s in education is necessary.
For post-secondary teaching jobs, the requirements can vary. To teach at the community college level, an MEd in curriculum and instruction or in another area of education may be necessary. Check with the program that interests you, because the MEd in education may be sufficient, depending on the school.
At Southern New Hampshire University, all of our instructors are professionals working in their respective fields. They offer professional guidance as you work through the program. Our career counselors are also readily available to help share information about opportunities to teach at the post-secondary level.
And while our MEd in educational leadership does not qualify you for licensure on its own, it can be a necessary and worthwhile component of preparation leading to that important graduate credential.
An online master's in educational leadership can prepare you to be a leader in the classroom or in any business environment you choose. The online nature of the program allows you to earn this credential at your pace, and on your schedule. We know how important this is for students who are furthering their education while working full time.
There are many opportunities to use an MEd in educational leadership in addition to a vibrant teaching career.
Some opportunities that may interest you include:
- Education policy analyst: If a leadership career outside the classroom interests you, a role in policy might be a good fit. You may put your research and analytical thinking skills to work with lobbyists or special interest groups to pass legislation pertaining to education. Your education background can come in handy as you work to drive legislation forward that benefits schools, teachers and the educational system as a whole.
- School and career counseling: Leadership takes many forms, and one of them could involve working with students one on one as a guidance counselor. As the name implies, you might implement a number of strategies to help guide students toward success in school and in life.
- Education administration: As an educational administrator, you may have the opportunity to take on a lot of different roles within the field of education. You may enjoy the leadership position of a school principal. Or perhaps you wish to guide the policies and curriculum decisions for the school system as a whole. Leading educational organizations holistically is the key to success in this dynamic role.
- Instructional design and technology: In this role, you may design individual courses, assessments or even entire curricula for a school or school system. Perhaps you could write teaching manuals or guides. There are a variety of ways to apply your writing, communication and curriculum design skills with a master's in educational leadership under your belt.
- Corporate trainer: If a corporate career is a path that interests you, your master's in educational leadership can prepare you for success designing and implementing training programs in the workplace. You may develop materials, give presentations, run workshops and more. Your teaching skills could work well in tandem with the leadership and curriculum design skills gained in earning your master's in educational leadership online.
You may also wish to use your master's in education leadership as a jumping-off point toward a doctorate in educational leadership. Our admission counselors and academic advisors are ready to help you choose the path that is right for you. They’ll also ensure that you receive every possible transfer credit, which can save you time and money over the course of completing your education.
No matter which career path you choose with your online master's in educational leadership, know this for sure: You are on a sure path to change lives for the better.
Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed June 5, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.