Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Online MSEd

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Online

Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Educational Studies

Explore:

Overview
Courses
Careers
Admissions
Cost
Licensure
Testimonial
Faculty
FAQ

OVERVIEW

This program is for K-12 teachers interested in school administration. The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree is coordinated with the requirements for the Indiana Building Level Administrator license. Students complete 21 credits of licensure coursework across three consecutive semesters and then take nine additional credits in research methodology and electives to earn the master’s degree. See the Building Level Administrator Licensure program if you are interested in the additional Indiana license.

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

This program is offered in an online format. Online students benefit from the same rigorous academic programs as on-campus students, but with increased class schedule flexibility. Weekly coursework, assignments, and discussions are managed through our virtual classroom.

Completed applications should be submitted by the deadlines listed below:

Please visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure webpage for information about the Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) requirement.

Term	TECR Deadline	Graduate Application Deadline
Fall Start	July 15	August 1
Spring Start	November 15	December 1
Summer Start	April 1	April 15

Credit Program

week course length

semesters to completion

$450

cost per credit hour (Indiana Resident)

$563

Cost per credit hour (Non-Indiana Resident)

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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:

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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

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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.

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:
  1. Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
  2. Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
  1. Please select an Area of Interest: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
  2. Please select a degree objective: Master of Science in Education
  3. Primary Course Delivery: Distance (Online)
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.

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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.}

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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

Three teachers standing next to each other in a hallway.

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.

Bryan J. Duarte

Assistant Professor

Alice Johnson

Associate Clinical Professor

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.

Frequently asked questions

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Educational Leadership and Policy Studies