Online Master of Education Administration

Yes. The licensure track is specifically designed to prepare practicing educators for school administration roles in Virginia. The curriculum is aligned with Virginia Department of Education licensure requirements and with national leadership benchmarks from CAEP and NELP (National Educational Leadership Preparation). Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the School Leadership Licensure Assessment (SLLA) — the required exam for earning a principal’s license in Virginia. Career outcomes include elementary, middle, and high school principal and dean of students roles, with median annual salaries for school principals exceeding $104,000 according to the BLS. The program is taught by faculty with direct experience as school superintendents and district-level administrators, ensuring the curriculum reflects the realities of school leadership.

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0. A GPA below 3.0 is not disqualifying — applications are reviewed holistically, with professional experience as an educator taken into account. A current teaching license valid in any U.S. state is required for the licensure track; the non-licensure track does not require a teaching license. Application materials include unofficial transcripts from all previously attended institutions (official required before enrollment), one letter of recommendation, a two-to-three page goal statement, and a resume documenting at least two years of teaching experience — with three years expected by the time of program completion. No application fee or entrance exam is required. Full requirements are on the admissions page.

Both tracks require 30 credit hours and are delivered online, but they serve different professional goals. The licensure track is built for educators who want to become licensed school principals in Virginia. It includes specific core courses aligned with VDOE and NELP standards, a research component, and 320 hours of residency experience — completed at your current school, so you do not need to leave your position to fulfill this requirement. Completing the track makes you eligible to sit for the SLLA exam. The non-licensure track is designed for educators seeking leadership and administrative roles that do not require principal licensure — such as curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, or district administrator — and offers greater elective flexibility based on your professional direction. Explore both tracks on the tracks on the MSEd Education Administration page.

Yes — the program is designed with the working educator’s schedule in mind. All coursework is delivered online, and the 30-credit program can typically be completed in 18–20 months. A significant practical advantage of the licensure track is that the 320 required residency hours are completed at your current school under the supervision of your building principal or district administrator — meaning you continue teaching and earning your salary throughout. There is no need to take a leave of absence or reduce your hours. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year — see the admissions page for upcoming enrollment windows.

Apply through the online application portal with no application fee and no entrance exam required. You’ll need to submit transcripts from all previously attended institutions (unofficial for initial review, official before enrollment), a copy of your current teaching license, one letter of recommendation, a two-to-three page goal statement, and a resume documenting your teaching experience. Up to 9 transfer credits from an accredited institution may be applied toward the 30-credit program. Multiple start dates are offered throughout the year.