Master of Education in
Educational Leadership
Become an Administrator
This master's degree program provides professional preparation for educators seeking administrative positions in elementary and secondary schools. The program now has a 100 percent pass rate on the first attempt for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). An internship (not online) is required for building-level licensure.
Courses are offered in 8-week rotations with synchronous online meetings on Wednesday evenings in the fall and spring semesters.
Current pass rate of University of Arkansas students sitting for the School Leaders
Licensure Assessment is 100%.
Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
100%
Online
30
Credit Hours
18 MO
Estimated Time
to Complete
No GRE
Pathways in the Educational Leadership Program
Network Across the State
The Educational Leadership program at the U of A is more than just a collection of courses. The program is:
- An extensive network of K-16 partners throughout the state
- A distinguished list of alumni in key leadership positions throughout the country
- A faculty committed to providing a highly rigorous and relevant classroom experience
- Researchers that bridge theory and practice to respond to the needs of policymakers and practitioners in the field
- Students who are passionate about transforming schools and improving the lives of children
Admission Requirements
Admission to M.Ed. in Educational Leadership requires prior admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. In addition, admission to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership requires the following:
- A completed Educational Leadership program application
- A valid teaching license
- A writing prompt inside the program application
- Two letters of recommendation (one of which should be from a current supervisor)
- A resume or CV
An interview with the EDLE faculty or program coordinator may be requested. The master's degree is a cohort-based program that begins in the fall semester.
- Applications for admission must be completed by: April 1
- Eearly admissions deadline for the following fall semester cohort: November 1
| Tuition / credit hour | $459.68 |
| Fee / credit hour | |
|---|---|
| Library | $4.98 |
| Network & Data Systems | $16 |
| Off-campus | $30 |
| Online Facilities | $2 |
Tuition and fees per credit hour reflect fall 2025 rates for students studying completely online. Students in online programs who take an on-campus course will pay on-campus fees, mandatory and college fees, for only the on-campus course.
- Scholarships
- Arkansas Teacher Opportunity Program
- IMPACT Arkansas Fellowship Program
- College of Education and Health Professions
Webinar Replay
In this recorded webinar, you will hear Dr. Christy Smith from the College of Education Health Professions talk about the degree programs in educational leadership.
I have definitely become more aware of the administrator's point of view. I look at the organization as a whole, not just my class, and how my teaching influences the school culture as a whole."
Alexandra LempFort Smith, AR
This determination I have had over the years to do things without being told and to do them well has served me well in my pursuit of my master’s online."
Caitlin BennettLittle Rock, AR
The University as a whole has a great family feeling. It's big, but it feels really small. You feel like a person and not just a number. This program has opened up a lot of opportunities within the workforce that I’m really excited about."
Courtney EriksonSpringdale, AR
Job Market Outlook
The Pathways career data reflect career information associated with degree programs, and that data may include some jobs that require additional credentials and experience BEYOND the academic degree, including but not limited to professional licensure and certification, additional coursework, and specific training. See " About this data" to learn more about Pathways.
The Online Learner
From Coach to Leader: U of A Online Master’s Graduate Writes New Playbook
He may have hung up his whistle, but David Preston is still in the game. A longtime coach, he sees the court from a new vantage point as athletic director for the Huntsville School District in Northwest Arkansas. Preston got ...
Ethics in Education: The Importance of Good Leadership
Every school has a set of formal and informal rules that all students, faculty members and staff are expected to abide by. These rules, designed to protect and enhance everyone’s educational experience, are often based on common sense and ...
The Importance of Mentoring: Ensuring Success as an Online Graduate Student
Language evolves over time, and words and meanings we understand as commonplace now can sometimes be traced back thousands of years. Take the word “mentor.” Today’s business world places great emphasis on the importance of mentors and mentorship in ...
Education Careers: The Many Hats a School Administrator Wears
For anyone who remembers what it was like being in school decades ago, the image of the principal was likely a common and consistent one – he or she was the person in charge of everyone, carried a huge set of ...
