Online
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Educational Studies
Courses
Courses
Courses are online and 8 weeks long. Internships are 16 weeks long.
The courses are offered in a cohort sequence permitting candidates to finish the license in three semesters (one year) if they take seven credits offered each semester. A fourth semester will be required to complete the remaining coursework for the MSEd. Courses are offered in eight week modules and the breakdown is as follows:
Course Set One
- 60200 Seminar: The School Principalship (3 credits)
- 60700 Administration of Educational Systems (3 credits)
- 69400 Intern in Educational Administration: Building Administrator (1 credit, one of three total)
- Completed with EDST 60200 and EDST 60700
Course Set Two
- 60900 Legal Aspects of American Education (3 credits)
- 61000 Supervision of Instruction and Instructional Personnel (3 credits)
- 69400 Intern in Educational Administration: Building Administrator (1 credit, one of three total)
- Completed with EDST 60900 and EDST 61000
Course Set Three
- 51400 Economics of Education (3 credits)
- 51600 School-Community Relations (3 credits)
- 69400 Intern in Educational Administration: Building Administrator (1 credit, one of three total)
- Completed with EDST 51400 and EDST 51600
Required Master’s coursework (3 credit hours)
- EDPS 53300 – Introduction to Educational Research (3 credits)
Recommended Electives (6 credit hours – choose 2)
- EDPS 54000 – Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
- EDPS 54500 – Social and Affective Development of Gifted Children
- EDPS 66300 – Organization and Administration of Special Education
- EDPS 55500 – Differentiating Curriculum & Instruction
- EDCI 58500 – Multicultural Education
Other graduate elective courses may be approved by the program faculty.
Careers
Career Outlook
A degree in educational leadership can lead to many careers. Professionals can find jobs working predominantly with students or pursue roles where they interact primarily with staff members and teachers. Educational leaders can find employment at elementary schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, in addition to some non-school settings.
School leadership is difficult. With budget cuts, evaluations based on standardized assessments, and the developing social structure of today’s education. School leaders need to be creative and empathetic to find solutions to complex and sensitive issues in our schools.
School leaders can foster relationships with students, staff and parents that will last a lifetime. They help create a more engaging learning environment, and they get to work in one of the best professions. That is why educators become school leaders.
Job Titles
- Superintendent
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- District Administrator
- Building Administrator
Admissions
Admissions
This program reviews applications for three start terms a year: fall, spring, or summer. Please review the application deadlines in the Overview tab at the top of this page.
For more information about how to apply for a licensure program, view the Application Roadmap.
Prior to admission to this program, applicants must:
- Hold a valid Indiana Instructional or School Counselor license
- Complete a Purdue Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR)
- Complete a Purdue Graduate Application
To qualify for Indiana licensure at the conclusion of this program, applicants to this program must:
- Complete this MSEd degree prior to the time of license application
- Meet all requirements outlined in the TECR, including successfully passing the approved Building Level Administrator content exam
- Have two years of verifiable teaching experience in an accredited school while holding said Indiana Instructional or School Counselor license at the time of license application
Please contact The Office of Teacher Education and Licensure before applying for this program to verify licensure status and eligibility.
Out of state students wanting to complete the program should contact The Office of Teacher Education and Licensure or call at (765) 494-2345 to determine eligibility for this program, which is approved by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) for licensure in the state of Indiana.
Additional criteria, beyond completing coursework is required to attain Indiana licensure. A Transcript Evaluation Credential Review (TECR) by The Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) is required for admission and outlines licensure expectations.
Please see our webpage on Graduate Application Helpful Tips. If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) Steps:
- Carefully read the Application Roadmap to learn more about how to submit your TECR request.
- In the Area of Interest, Under the Administrative License Programs (Online or Hybrid) select the following: Building Level Administrator – (Principal)
- There is a $35.00 TECR fee for this program, and processing takes about two weeks for your TECR letter to be uploaded with your graduate application and emailed to you.
- If you do not have a license in the state of Indiana, please contact the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the TECR and graduate application.
Graduate Application Steps
- Create an application account and log in to start your graduate application.
- Select the following options for the MSEd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with Building Level Licensure program:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- Please select a degree objective: Master of Science in Education
- Primary Course Delivery: Distance (Online)
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Some sections of the application that are NOT required include the following:
- Test Scores
- In the Additional Information section, faculty selections may be made, but are not required. Faculty advisors are assigned by the program area.
- Submit 1 Recommendation
- Upload the required materials, listed below. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about these requirements.
- Resume
- Personal History Statement
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- International applicants who are eligible for an Indiana licensure program must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars. For information about Indiana licensure program requirements, international applicants may visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure webpage.
- Follow the instructions in the Application Roadmap for submitting your official transcripts.
- Once you are ready to submit your graduate application, please complete all sections, submit the application, and pay the nonrefundable application fee by credit card.
- The application must be fully submitted (and the application fee paid) in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.
- Check the status of your submitted application by logging into the application portal.
- Once your application is complete, you will receive an email from edgrad@purdue.edu indicating that your application is complete and will be submitted for review.
This program is subject to our Licensure Disclosure
The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to publicly disclose to prospective and currently enrolled students whether certain programs meet the education requirements for licensure or certification in the state or territory in which they reside. “Programs Leading to Professional Licensure” is defined as programs represented to prepare students for an occupation for which, at completion of the program, a local, state or federal license, or nongovernmental certification is required (i) as a precondition for employment, (ii) to perform certain functions, or (iii) to meet additional conditions that are generally needed to secure employment.
The Purdue University Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the State of Indiana. However, not all undergraduate and graduate programs lead to an educator licensure in the State of Indiana. If your Teacher Education program includes field experience(s) and a student teaching or internship component, it may lead to an educator license in the State of Indiana, if you meet the licensure requirements. Contact your academic/faculty advisor and/or the Office of Teacher and Licensure to verify your program enrollment and whether or not it leads to a license in the State of Indiana.
The State of Indiana has reciprocity agreements with other states, the District of Columbia, and territories. For licensing information contact information for individual state departments of education or visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) or email a Purdue University licensing officer/advisor.
Start Your Giant Leap with One Small Step
Cost
Program Costs
The MSEd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program is affordable and competitive in cost.
| Costs | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost Per Credit | $450 | $563 |
| Credit Hours | 30 | 30 |
| Total Costs | $13,500 | $16,890 |
Additional Information
*Tuition and fees are charged on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program costs.
*Textbooks and course materials are not included
*Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions are not valid with this program.
*International Fee
**The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Licensure
Licensure Information
This program leads to an Indiana Building Level Administrator License which requires applicants to first possess a valid Indiana Instructional License for program admission. Non-Indiana applicants are not guaranteed licensure in Indiana or any other state. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the program application if you have questions about licensure.
testimonial
Above all, the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) Program not only advances my resume and CV but it also – more importantly – impacts my work as an educational leader serving my students, families, and colleagues.
ZAKARY TSCHINIAK
Principal
program FACULTY
Learn From the Experts
Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the online MSEd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies can prepare you to help all students learn.
Dr. Marilyn Hirth
Professor Emerita
Dr. Kathryn Lash
Instructor
Dr. Seth Molnar
Instructor
Dr. Katie Metz
Instructor
Dr. Marci Shepard
Instructor
Faculty Advisory Board
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Advisory Board was formed to contribute to the currency and quality of the academic program, facilitate the placement of graduates and enhance the reputation of the program.
Dr. Todd Bess
Executive Director, Indiana Association of School Principals
Dr. Jeff Butts
Superintendent, M.S.D. Wayne Township
Dr. Scott Deetz
Superintendent, Madison-Grant United School Corporation
Dr. Phil Downs
Superintendent, M.S.D. Southwest Allen County
Dr. Daniel Hile
Superintendent, Noblesville Schools
Margaret “Maggie” Hoernemann
Retired (Superintendent), Avon Community School Corporation
Dr. Steven Hope
Superintendent, Goshen Schools
Rocky Killion
Superintendent, West Lafayette Community School Corporation
Dr. Pascal Losambe
Speaker and Consultant in Education, Organizational Culture, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Synergy Consulting Company
Karie Mize
Elementary Principal, Avon Community School Corporation
Dr. Dennisha Murff
Curriculum Coordinator, Language Assistance Program, Education
Dr. Beth Niedermeyer
Superintendent, Noblesville Schools
Dr. Michael Parsons
Principal, Clifty Creek Elementary School
Michael Pinto
Principal, Tippecanoe School Corporation
Laurie Rinehart
Assistant Director of Curriculum, Lafayette School Corporation
Dr. Terry Sargent
Vice President, Lancer + Beebe, LLC, Architecture
Dr. Stacey Schmidt
Superintendent, Porter Township School Corporation
Dr. Jerry Thacker
Superintendent of Schools, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
Dr. Nikki C. Woodson
Superintendent of Schools, Metropolitan School District of Washington Township
Frequently asked questions
30 credit hours
Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Educational Studies with a concentration of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.
Online courses consists of 8 week with synchronous classes three times per semester with 16 week internships.
Plan on devoting 10–15 hours a week on coursework, depending on the course requirements that week and your study habits.
For information about the Building Level Administrator license, please visit the graduate programs webpage for the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure.
Interested in this program?
Complete the form below to learn more.
