Credits required
36
Cost per-credit*
$353.50
Delivery
Online
Start Term
Spring
Educational Leadership MEd (Online)
Prepare to lead in today’s schools with flexible online learning
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The Educational Leadership MEd (Online) at Nevada Online is a two-year, fully online master of education program designed for licensed educators ready to transition into impactful leadership roles. Offered through the College of Education and Human Development, this graduate-level program delivers the knowledge, experience and qualifications required to become a school leader, such as a principal, assistant principal or instructional coordinator.
Built around the national Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and aligned with state endorsement criteria, this master’s degree blends academic preparation with foundational leadership development and field-based learning. With a cohort model beginning spring semester, students move through the curriculum together while balancing their professional commitments.
*Program tuition. Base in-state tuition cost. Does not include student fees. Please note everyone's net tuition costs are specific to their own situation and will be different for each person. Learn more about tuition and fees.
Program Overview
The Educational Leadership MEd offers a 36-credit, synchronous/asynchronous curriculum designed for educators seeking certification or advancement in school leadership. The program includes integrated internship experiences that meet Nevada's licensure requirements.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Format | Synchronous & asynchronous |
| Total Credits | 36 credit hours |
| Completion Timeline | 2 years |
| Tuition Rate | $353.50* per credit (2025–2026) |
| Estimated Tuition | $12,726 (excluding mandatory university fees) |
| Internship Requirement | Integrated experiences aligned with Nevada Administrative Endorsement standards |
| Start Term | Spring |
| College Affiliation | College of Education and Human Development |
| Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) |
Curriculum and Learning Outcomes
This program emphasizes practical leadership development, combining coursework in policy, administration, and equity with hands-on application in your own educational setting. The curriculum is designed to build your ability to lead inclusive schools, support high-quality instruction, and use data to inform decisions.
| Focus Areas | Competencies Developed |
| School law and governance | Policy compliance, ethical leadership |
| Instructional leadership and supervision | Curriculum alignment, teacher evaluation |
| Policy and finance | Budgeting, staffing and school funding |
| Personnel and organizational leadership | Team-building, staff development |
| Fieldwork | School improvement planning and implementation |
| Family and community engagement | Promoting equitable and inclusive learning environments |
Graduates are prepared to drive system-level change, engage diverse school communities and create equitable environments that foster student learning and school improvement.
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for educators who want to expand their leadership capacity and positively impact schools at the organizational level. Ideal candidates include:
- Licensed teachers with two or more years of classroom teaching experience are recommended
- Dean, instructional specialists, lead teachers, coordinators, department chairs, teachers on special assignments
- Educators pursuing endorsement, licensure as a school administrator, or professional administrator of a program
- Leaders focused on driving data-informed instruction, equity, and student success
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A GPA of 3.0 is preferred. Required application materials include:
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation that speak to your potential for success both as a graduate student and as an educational administrator. These letters should be submitted electronically through the Graduate School’s confidential process as part of that application. When you insert your references they will get a notification to upload their letter. Be sure to follow-up with them to ensure they are submitted.
- A statement of purpose in joining the program, maximum of 1,000 words
GRE scores are not required for admission.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Educational Leadership MEd program are prepared to lead with purpose and confidence across K–12 systems. The program meets all requirements for the Nevada Administrative Endorsement. Out-of-state students should confirm reciprocity with their own state licensing boards.
| Role | Career Pathways |
| Principal | Lead school operations, support teachers, and oversee academic performance |
| Assistant Principal | Manage student services, discipline and instructional programs |
| Instructional Coordinator | Align curriculum, deliver teacher PD, improve assessment strategies |
| Director of Special Education | Oversee special education compliance and programming |
| District Administrator | Lead district-wide initiatives in policy, budgeting and school leadership |
According to Salary.com (2024), Nevada principals earn a median salary of $103,448, reflecting the demand for experienced leaders in today’s dynamic educational landscape.
Faculty and Learning Experience
Courses are led by renowned faculty in the College of Education and Human Development with expertise in historical foundations and philosophy of educational leadership, curriculum and instructional leadership, education law, data analysis and school policy, and opportunity gaps, structures, and systems. Learn from professors who understand the unique challenges facing educators today and are deeply engaged in improving public education.
Faculty expertise includes:
- Instructional supervision and teacher evaluation
- Equity-focused school reform
- Policy development and district leadership
- Organizational change and school culture
Students benefit from:
- 24/7 access to learning resources in Canvas
- Internship placement support with school districts
- Feedback from faculty, leadership professionals, and peers in collaborative assignments or related experiences
- Career coaching through the University of Nevada, Reno Career Studio
What Sets Nevada Online Apart
Nevada Online combines academic rigor, real-world application and accessibility to support the professional growth of education leaders. As part of a Carnegie® R1 University, the Educational Leadership MEd (Online) stands out for its commitment to:
| Program Features | Benefits for Students |
|---|---|
|
State licensure-aligned curriculum |
Fulfill state requirements for administrative endorsement that meet national standards through coursework grounded in contemporary educational policy contexts |
| Practice-based leadership training | Apply leadership theories to practice through field-based experiences that cultivate the dispositions and skills necessary for effective, equity-focused educational leadership |
| Career-focused pathways | Prepare for leadership roles that influence schools, districts, and communities through a curriculum designed to connect learning across contexts and institutions |
| Professional internship placement | Engage in supervised, field-based experiences that bridge theory and practice, expand professional networks, and strengthen leadership competencies |
| Nationally recognized faculty expertise and one-on-one mentorship | Learn from nationally recognized scholars to develop expertise in education policy, institutional analysis, and systems of power to understand and develop more just and effective PK-12 education systems in the United States |
| Cohort of diverse educational professionals | Collaborate with peers representing a wide range of roles, regions, and perspectives to enhance cross-context understanding of educational systems, equity challenges, and institutional practices |
| Access to distinguished guest speakers | Interact with leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners who shape contemporary educational institutions and systems, thereby gaining insight into current issues and innovative strategies for educational improvement. |
This is more than a graduate program—it’s your path to becoming the leader your school needs.
Take the Next Step Toward Leadership
The Educational Leadership MEd (Online) gives you the tools to lead schools with confidence, improve systems with clarity and make an impact that lasts. Whether you're seeking certification, licensure or personal growth as an educator, this fully online degree in educational leadership is the next step in your journey. Let Nevada Online help you earn your master of education in educational leadership—and equip you to create lasting change in your school and community.
Why choose the University of Nevada, Reno for your Master of Education in Educational Leadership?
The University of Nevada, Reno provides a flexible, two-year online Master of Education in Educational Leadership, grounded in PSEL standards and featuring a cohort model, internships and expert faculty, designed to prepare licensed teachers for leadership roles and enhance their careers and student success.
Benefits of Learning Online with Nevada Online
Classes taught by University of Nevada, Reno faculty
Access to a Carnegie® R1 research university
Choose from accessible, fully online programs
Continue your education from anywhere in the world, free from a fixed schedule