Lead your school community to success with an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Through field experience, one-on-one faculty mentorships, and a research-based curriculum, gain the skills and strategies to prioritize learning, promote equity, and maintain a safe and positive school environment.

Complete your coursework around your busy schedule with a flexible, online learning experience. Learn at whatever pace works best for you—accelerate your coursework and finish the course early or slow down when you come across a challenging subject.

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mark rendell headshot
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Obtaining my master's degree from Nova Southeastern University was a game changer. It opened the door to numerous leadership opportunities for me, and I was more than prepared to pursue them. The instructors have first-hand knowledge of the challenges we face in public education in Florida.

Dr. Mark J. Rendell '96 | M.S. Educational Leadership | Superintendent of Brevard County Public Schools

Quick Facts

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Tuition
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
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Curriculum
NSU’s M.S. in Educational Leadership program is 30 total credits to complete (for both concentrations).
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Application Deadlines
Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis for all graduate programs throughout the calendar year.
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Delivery Options
Coursework for the Master's in Educational Leadership degree is conducted entirely online, allowing you to earn your degree without work disruption or long commutes.

Choose Your Path

Customize your learning experience for your desired career path with two different concentration tracks. Both concentrations prepare you for careers in administration and management within educational and nonprofit sectors.

Master’s Degree + Certification

Earn both your graduate degree and Florida state–approved Pre-K–12 leadership certification

  • Gain the skills and experience needed for administrative positions in public and nonpublic schools and school systems
  • Prepare to sit for your certification exam with courses and classroom experience that aligns with its requirements

Master’s Degree Only

Earn your graduate degree and grow as a leader

  • Gain the knowledge and experience needed to prepare for a role in management or administration
  • Develop your skills in leadership, management and supervision, and budgeting within the context of curriculum and instruction

 

Why Choose This Program?

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Earn your degree in as little as four semesters
Graduate with your degree in as little as four semesters. With two different concentrations to choose from, you have to take only the courses needed for your desired career path.
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Learn from expert faculty
Be taught and guided by teachers who have experience working as administrators for school districts. Attend guest speaker sessions and hear from national leaders who are paving the way in education.
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Study on your own timeline
Complete your coursework around your busy schedule with flexible, online learning that is individualized to your experience and career goals.
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Receive faculty mentorship
Navigate your educational journey with the support of your own faculty mentor. Assigned to you on day one, this will be your go-to person to make your studies meaningful and successful.
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Lead through field experience
Progress from being an observer to a participant with leadership experiences that are built into your curriculum. Practice your skills using virtual reality technology and then transition into the classroom under the guidance of a school leader.
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Prepare for qualifying exams
If you choose the Florida state–approved certification track, you'll get specific support to help you take the qualifying exam (FELE or Praxis) with confidence.

 

Cutting-Edge Curriculum

Develop your leadership skills and diversify your understanding of the educational landscape with a research-based curriculum that prepares you with best practices and hands-on experiences. Learn how to employ educational strategies through courses like “Leadership for Equitable Schools” and “Assessment & Strategic Decision Making.” Then, put your knowledge into action through field experience and internships.

Course Descriptions

Degree + Certificate

Core Courses (30 credits)

Credits

( EDLR 505
Leadership for Equitable Schools
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 515
Leaders of Curriculum, Learning & Diversity
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 525
Assessment & Strategic Decision Making
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 535
Policy, Ethics, and Law in Equitable Schools
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 545
Administrative Processes and Finance
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 575
Applied Professional Experiences in Educational Leadership
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 580
Educational Leadership Internship I
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 585
Educational Leadership Internship II
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 600
Seminar in Educational Leadership
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 610
Educational Leadership Symposium
/Credits: 3)

  1. Passing scores on all sections of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE)
  2. Successful completion of the administrative internship, including the portfolio
  3. ESOL: All candidates must provide evidence that this requirement has been satisfied
    1. Candidates who have not met their ESOL/ELL requirement of sixty (60) hours of ESOL district in-service points must show evidence of three (3) credit hours in a Florida DOE–approved survey type ESOL course prior to program completion.

The certification path is a state-approved program in Florida. Course content is research-based and infuses best practices in education while aligning directly with the Florida Department of Education’s program certification requirements.

Florida participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Interstate (NASDTEC) Agreement facilitating mobility of Educational Personnel with over 50 other states and jurisdictions for teacher certification and/or licensure. Graduates who wish to teach outside the state of Florida must contact their state's department of education for information for attaining certification/licensure through reciprocity.

National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Interstate Agreement: www.nasdtec.net/page/Interstate

Degree Only

Core Courses (15 credits)

Credits

( EDLR 505
Leadership for Equitable Schools
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 515
Leaders of Curriculum, Learning & Diversity
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 525
Assessment & Strategic Decision Making
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 535
Policy, Ethics, and Law in Equitable Schools
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 545
Administrative Processes and Finance
/Credits: 3)

Elective Courses (Choose 15 credits)

Credits

( EDU 502
Psychological Foundations in Education
/Credits: 3)
( EDU 508
Effective Instructional and Assessment Strategies
/Credits: 3)
( TSOL 569
Methodology of TSOL
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 575
Applied Professional Experiences in Educational Leadership
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 580
Educational Leadership Internship I
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 585
Educational Leadership Internship II
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 596
Administrative Residency
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 600
Seminar in Educational Leadership
/Credits: 3)
( EDLR 610
Organizational Performance and Research
/Credits: 3)
Administrative internship at library using laptop

Field Experiences and Administrative Internship

Go from being a student to a leader in action with classroom experiences and internship courses that are built into your education.

Observe, interview, and work with an assigned administrator as part of your internship for a minimum of 300 contact hours and learn what it takes to be an ethical, thoughtful, and practice-oriented educational leader.

Engage in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and put your knowledge to the test through your field project by solving an educational challenge with an assessment-based solution. Then present your findings to your peers, faculty, and district leaders during a weeklong summer symposium.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's
Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
$50
Nonrefundable Application Fee (USD)
2.5
Or Higher GPA
NSU edge graduate student in campus outdoors with cap and gown

Ready for the Next Step?

We’re thrilled you’re applying to NSU for a graduate degree in Educational Leadership.

This program is available to practicing prekindergarten through 12th-grade teachers who wish to obtain graduate degrees and enter the field of educational leadership.

It’s also available to those with a bachelor's degree and a valid professional teaching certificate who wish to obtain a graduate degree and/or add a certification area in educational leadership.

Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis for all graduate programs throughout the calendar year.

Apply Now

 

Have the following items ready to submit with your online application:

Degree + Certificate Requirements

 

  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Current Professional Educator’s Certificate
  • Supervisor Recommendation Form from the applicant’s school or district demonstrating the applicant’s leadership potential and skills
  • Two most recent performance evaluations
  • $50 (USD) nonrefundable application fee

Degree-Only Requirements

 

  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • $50 (USD) nonrefundable application fee