Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Apply Now

Program Link:
https://education.wsu.edu/graduate/edleadership/
Program Handbook:
https://education.vancouver.wsu.edu/sites/education.vancouver.wsu.edu/files/uploaded-files/2021%20Ed.M.%20and%20M.A.%20in%20Educational%20Leadership%20.pdf
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall September 10

Campus:

  • Pullman
  • Spokane

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • TOEFL – iBT

Degree Description:

WSU offers two masters degree programs in Educational Leadership. The Master of Arts in Education – Educational Leadership (M.A.) is a thesis degree designed for students who wish to focus on continued study and research in Educational Leadership and who may pursue a doctoral degree. The non-thesis Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree is designed for professional educators preparing for leadership positions. The following information is for the M.A. degree.

The M.A. requires a written thesis. The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate a student’s understanding of educational research & theory as well as a student’s ability to design & implement a research study, and synthesize the results. These hypotheses/questions should be specific, clear, and focused on some aspect of educational inquiry. The thesis includes a review of the pertinent literature related to the research hypothesis/question, a description of the methodology used to investigate the hypothesis/question, the results of the study, and a discussion of the results. The outcome of the thesis research should add to the body of research in the particular field/area.

The final examination and defense of the thesis is intended to explore your ability to integrate and interpret material in the major and supporting fields with emphasis on the work presented in the thesis.

Admission Requirements:

Please note restrictions before applying:

  • There are no assistantships for this program.
  • Degree and certification programs in Educational Leadership do not accept state of Washington tuition waivers.  This includes the following graduate programs: Ed.M., M.A., Ed.D., and  Ph.D., as well as these certification programs: principal, program administrator, and superintendent.

01. WSU Graduate School general application requirements (including application fee). Once in GradCAS search for Washington State University Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.

02. Current resume or vitae documenting your educational attainments and highlighting any education related work and/or research experience.

03. Two Written Statements. Written responses to the prompts below should be 500 – 1,000 words each, double spaced and written in New Times Roman, 12pt font. Include your name on each page.

  • Statement 1: Briefly introduce yourself and tell us how your personal, professional, and educational experiences have prepared you for an educational leadership program (500-1,000 words).
  • Statement 2: Respond to ONE of the following questions (500-1,000 words):
    • What are your core educational values and beliefs? How will they support your success in the program?
    • What are qualities and characteristics that you consider to be hallmarks of exemplary leadership? Discuss how you have embodied or practiced one or more of these in your own life or career.
    • Discuss your thoughts about how valuing diversity and equity relates to improving education.

04. Three letters of reference.Please encourage your references to write as substantive narrative in their letter as is appropriate to their role and relationship with you. We value a candid evaluation of your potential to be a high-quality leader. Please ask your references to consider including an assessment of your leadership experiences and/or potential for leadership. All of the letters should address your qualifications as a potential master student.

  • At least one letter should be from your building principal, district administrator or immediate supervisor.
  • Other letters can be from a teacher, administrator, co-worker, or professor who is familiar with your professional work.

05. Complete Educational History and Transcripts from any colleges/universities:

  • Where any degrees have been granted or are expected.
  • That show any graded bachelor’s work and/or graduate-level work (including doctoral) taken after the bachelor’s degree.
  • Unofficial copies may be uploaded with your Graduate School application for application review. If admitted, you will be required to submit official copies to the WSU Graduate School.
  • Official WSU Transcripts are NOT required for coursework taken at WSU.

06. International Students must meet the university’s English proficiency and funding requirements. Please view the current requirements.

07. If applicable, copies of currently held education certificates, front and back.

 

Student Opportunities:

WSU’s Educational Leadership master’s degree programs can be aligned with the Principal and Program Administrator Certification programs, for those who qualify for certification and who wish to receive Principal or Program Administrator certificates along with the master’s degree. All required graded courses for these certification programs can be applied to the master’s degree program of study. However, the master’s degree in Educational Leadership can be done without including Principal or Program Administrator Certification classes. In either option, course sequences are designed to permit students at any of WSU’s campuses to complete the master’s degree within two to three years.

Career Opportunities:

K-12 administrator, preparation for advanced graduate study, administration in public or non-profit agency, leadership positions in higher education

Contact Information: