M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
Step into school and district leadership with NLU's online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, built for working educators in Florida and across the Eastern US.
- Online with live sessions
- Leadership internship in your school
- From the National College of Education
- CAEP-Accredited
Request More Information
Program at a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Lead instruction that serves all student populations
- Navigate school and special education law
- Manage school budgets, resources, and staff
- Evaluate teachers and lead professional development
- Use data for accountability and improvement
Full Course List
Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution
- Experience as a classroom teacher
- A portfolio of leadership evidence and student growth data
- An interview with faculty and a written scenario response
- An advisor will confirm your background and the right Educational Leadership track
I watched good policies fail and great ones soar, all because of leadership that either centers students or forgets them.
A leadership program grounded in the competencies principals use every day, recognized by school and district leaders.
The leadership coursework, internship, and capstone are embedded in the master's, no separate certificate needed.
The M.Ed. stacks into NLU's Ed.S. and Ed.D., the pathway toward district leadership.
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
This degree is built to move experienced teachers into school leadership. Graduates move into principal, assistant principal, and dean roles, and the degree stacks into NLU’s Ed.S. and Ed.D. for district-level ambitions.
About 20,800 principal openings are projected nationally each year through 2034, driven by retirements and transitions, at a median salary of $104,070 (BLS, May 2024).
How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps
-
Request Information
Submit the form above. An NCE advisor will reach out to discuss your teaching experience and the right Educational Leadership track.
-
Build Your Portfolio With Your Advisor
Admission requires a portfolio of leadership evidence and a verification letter from your principal or HR office; your advisor walks you through what to gather.
-
Interview and Apply
Complete your faculty interview and written scenario, then submit your application at nl.edu. Next start: September 21, 2026.
Take the First Step
No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path into school leadership.
Take the First Step- Online with live sessions
- Leadership internship in your school
- From the National College of Education
- CAEP-Accredited
* Completion of an NLU program fulfills the educational requirements for licensure/certification in most states. Because licensure requirements vary by state, students are encouraged to review the requirements for the state in which they intend to practice and consult with the Department Chair as needed. Students are also encouraged to contact the appropriate credentialing agency or licensing board from the state in which they plan to practice to determine if their NLU degree will qualify them for licensure or certification. See NLU's full state-by-state disclosures at nl.edu/consumer-information/public-disclosures-licensure-and-certificate.