This affordable master’s in school administration online program offers flexible schedules to help you advance in your career while managing the competing demands of your busy life. It is designed to help you achieve initial certification as a school principal: Initial Certification, School Principal
The Lindenwood University school principal preparation program is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The College of Education and Human Services is also a member in good standing of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.
The school administration degree online stresses reflective leadership to foster effective schools. Skills taught prepare you to assume leadership roles in instruction, management, supervision of instruction, school administration, and problem solving in a creative and effective manner. To receive the initial principal administration certificate in Missouri, you must hold a valid professional initial teaching certification and have had two years of teaching experience.
Lindenwood’s online, flexible degrees enable you to balance your personal and professional responsibilities while gaining the analysis skills and valuable insights to pursue careers in business, health care, education, school leadership positions, and more.
Lindenwood University has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1921. Take advantage of curriculum accredited by the Commission on Institution of Higher Education and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
100%
Online
2-4 Yrs
Program Length
30
Credit Hours
$584
Cost per Credit
What You’ll Learn in a School Administration Degree Program
To effectively apply school leadership in education, you need a holistic school administration degree that prepares you for all types of academic environments – navigating everything from school budgets and improvement of student test scores and much more. Courses can teach you how to channel your passion for education and natural leadership abilities into administrative roles that result in dramatic school improvement. Our online master’s in school administration degree courses include:
- Foundations of Education Administration
- Culminating K-12 Field Experience
- Visionary and Innovative Leadership
- Instructional and Curriculum Leadership in Culturally Responsive Schools
- Conceptualization of Education
- Educational Research
- Education of the Exceptional Child
- Managerial and Ethical Leadership
Essential Skills & Insights for School Administrators
Coursework in this master’s in school administration online program covers the following:
- Leader-Educator: approach school leadership from the perspective of an educator to ensure effective support across the school experience – from academic to social and behavioral development of students.
- Creative Problem-Solving: learn to create solutions that offer lasting impacts on outlook for students at the K-12 level.
- Instruction Supervision: gain expertise in overseeing instructional settings as it pertains to implementing successful instructional methods and preparing teachers for curriculum delivery.
- Curriculum Development: oversee the curriculum lifecycle at all stages of development – from design to instructional delivery.
- Delegation and Teamwork: School administrators must learn to delegate tasks and build teams to achieve goals.
- Motivating and Inspiration: Encourage peers to work towards common goals and create a positive school culture.
- Empathy and Understanding: It’s important for administration to understand student needs, as well as those of staff, school boards and community
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for an elementary, middle, and high school principal is currently $103,460 per year. Meanwhile, postsecondary education administrators earn an annual median wage of $102,610. There are many types of academic environments that need the skills of qualified school administrators.
- Instructional Coordinators: $74,620 per year
- Postsecondary Education Administrators: $102,610 per year or $49.33 per hour
- Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals: $103,460 per year
- School and Career Counselors and Advisors: $61,710 per year or $29.67 per hour
- Librarians and Library Media Specialists: $64,370 per year
- Data is from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbooks and Education Occupation projection – Overall employment in educational instruction and library occupations is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this program is $551. Besides being ranked ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Admissions Requirements
To be admitted into the master’s in school administration online program, all students must complete the university admissions process, complete an interview, and meet the following criteria:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a GPA below a 3.0 may have their files reviewed by the director of admissions and the College of Education and Human Services.
- Complete the required graduate coursework, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Completion of EDU 34100 or EDU 54100 Education of the Exceptional Child, or equivalent.
To receive the initial principal administration certificate in Missouri, students must
- Hold a valid professional initial teaching certificate.
- Have had three years’ teaching experience.
Note: In Missouri, school counselor certificates, speech-language pathologist certificates, etc. are not considered initial teacher certificates.
Curriculum Overview
The Master’s in School Administration (MA) program is designed to provide a comprehensive curriculum tailored to prepare educators for leadership roles in K-12 school settings. Online coursework can provide you with an efficient way to develop essential skills in educational leadership, organizational management, and instructional supervision. As a result of your learning, you can pursue leadership and administrator positions in public and private schools.
Prerequisite Coursework – 3 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 54100 | Education of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
Major Coursework – 30 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDA 50500 | Foundations of Education Administration | 3 |
| EDA 58100 | Instructional and Curriculum Leadership in Culturally Responsive Schools | 3 |
| EDA 58200 | Managerial and Ethical Leadership | 3 |
| EDA 58300 | Relational Leadership and Community Outreach in Diverse Societies | 3 |
| EDA 58400 | Visionary and Innovative Leadership | 3 |
| EDA 58600 | Initial K-12 Field Experience and Data-Based Decision-Making | 3 |
| EDA 58700 | Culminating K-12 Field Experience | 3 |
| EDT 50900 | Innovation Mindset | 3 |
| EDU 51000 | Conceptualization of Education | 3 |
| EDU 57000 | Educational Research | 3 |
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to 9 credits toward your degree completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 21 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Plus, you can personalize your transfer experience through Lindenwood’s Transfer Guides. These guides are part of our articulation partnerships with area community college to help you get the most value from your transfer credit.
Career Opportunities
Director of Student Services
Oversee student support services, including counseling, special education, health services, and extracurricular programs.
Principal
Lead and manage the daily operations of a school to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students.
School District Administrator
Manage the administrative functions of a school district, including budgeting, policy development, curriculum oversight, and strategic planning.
Lindenwood Testimonials
The confidence of paying it forward, that’s what Lindenwood gives you and it gave me.
Talay Crowley
I am so thankful I found this school and graduate program.
Halim Marrujo • ’23 Alumnus
Lindenwood helped shape my future, what I want to do, and helped me find a passion.
Cody Heath
Frequently Asked Questions
The length it takes to earn a master’s in school administration depends on the pace of the student and duration of the program. The online school administration degree program at Lindenwood University is designed to be completed in 2-4 years.
Education administration and school administration are related areas of focus. However, education administration is recognized as a broader term that goes beyond academic settings, such as private businesses and government agencies. School administration is primarily focused on improving the functionality of school settings, communicating with the school board, and other responsibilities within academic environments.
Learning to become a reliable leader is essential to effective school administration. The experienced faculty at Lindenwood University emphasize school leadership and interpersonal growth throughout the program. Our goal is to help you graduate with the confidence you need to reach the next level in the field of education.
In general, a master’s degree in educational leadership or educational administration is preferred for a school principal role. At Lindenwood, you can earn your master’s in school administration online to prepare to pursue a role as a K-12 school principal.
Yes, a school principal is a school administrator.
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Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.