Top Masters in Education presents the Best Value online Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration Programs for 2014-2015 are based on cost, quality, and accreditation. These are the lowest priced, highest quality, regionally accredited online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership programs we could find. If you’re considering earning your Master’s in Education Administration online, we believe this list offers a great starting point in your search for an accredited, affordable, top quality program that meets your needs.
#1. Central Michigan University
With 27,000 students, this large Midwestern University offers over 200 academic programs in areas such as health professions, engineering, business and communications. With its origins as a teachers’ college dating back to 1892, its emphasis on programs for teachers and administrators remains strong and was named as one of the top 200 graduate programs for teachers and administrators by U.S. News and World Report.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Central Michigan University’s Masters in Educational Leadership offers an online cohort model that has an emphasis on charter schools. The program will prepare the student to enter in a mid-level school leadership position in the area of higher education or an entry level in K-12. It is important to note that those entering this program on the K-12 will need to seek further schooling in order to attain principal certification. All told this is a 33 credit hour program.
Accreditation
First accredited in 1915 as Central State Teachers College, Central Michigan University has been accredited ever since, with the exception of 1922-23. Its current accrediting body is North Central College Associations Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition – $15,444
#2. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Established in 1869, Lincoln began as the first, largest and flagship campus for the University of Nebraska. Currently comprised of eight colleges, 275 courses of study continue to uphold the university’s original goal to provide for the acquisition of degrees in literature, science, the arts and classroom instruction.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Available in a blended format or completely online, the Masters of Education degree with P-12 Education Leadership Focus is a two year program which includes courses leading to administrative certification (most often the elementary or secondary principal endorsement). A portfolio is developed at the completion of the program to both verify that the student meets the standards for administrative certification and to serve as the final examination for the degree. Professorial/student interaction features video and phone conferencing and full online access to library reference resources including CDs and DVDs. Additionally the University of Nebraska offers an online MA in Higher Ed Leadership with similar completion options.
Accreditation
The University of Nebraska education degree programs are fully sanctioned by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Higher Learning Commission and the Nebraska Department of Education.
Tuition – $10,481
#3. Ball State University
Located in Muncie, Indiana, a small community one hour northeast of Indianapolis, Ball State first opened as a state school in 1918 with the intent to meet Indiana’s growing need for better teachers. Since then, the University has expanded its focus to include over 178 undergraduate programs and 115 graduate programs.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Ball State offers a 100% online Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision. The program is designed for the working educator and can be completed in 18-20 months. The program requires a six credit hour principal internship and 3 credit hour methodology course with a grand total of 36 credit hours to complete the entire program. For those seeking a program that will give you a Masters and a principal certification look no further.
Accreditation
All of Ball State’s Teacher College programs are fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the North Central Association and the Indiana Professional Standard Board.
Tuition – $9,150
#4. Fort Hays State University
Ft. Hays State University, situated in the heart of the Midwest, offers one of the most affordable educations in the nation – claiming the lowest tuition rate of any Regents University. Its 13,400 students are split between the campus located in Hays, KS, the virtual college and their China program and can choose between hundreds of bachelors and masters level programs supported by 28 academic departments.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Ft. Hays State University’s virtual college offers an online Masters in Educational Administration that is geared for those who wish to become a principal but don’t have the time to sit in a traditional classroom. This is a 36 credit hour course that is geared to meet the requirements of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC).
Accreditation
All education programs at Ft. Hays State University have received a specialized accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and it meets the standards of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition – $7,301
#5. Old Dominion University
With its main campus rooted in the City of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia, four additional campuses are located throughout the state with a total enrollment of 24,670 students represents undergraduate and graduate students. The University began as the Norfolk Division of The College of William and Mary in 1930, becoming an independent institution in 1962.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Old Dominion’s distance learning department offers a Master of Educational Leadership that is 30 credit hours in length and is delivered via online synchronous. The program is designed to meet Commonwealth of Virginia Licensure in Educational Administration and Supervision in the area of PK-12. Course work in this program is designed to provide conceptual and theoretical knowledge, as well as practical field experience.
Accreditation
Old Dominion is accredited by the commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in addition to Educational Leadership Constituent Council, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Tuition – $11,370
#6. Lamar University
Lamar University, located in Beaumont, Texas about ninety miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of Louisiana, is one of the fastest growing universities in Texas with more than 14,000 students and over 100 programs of study. As part of the Texas State University System, Lamar has been nationally recognized for its curriculum, personalized instruction and diversity.
Lamar University is accredited to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Lamar University’s College of Education and Human Development offers a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership that is designed to prepare students for professional careers in school leadership. The purpose of this program is to give educators the tools and know how to effectively and efficiently run a school. The total credit hours required for this program is 36 and a bachelors degree is a prerequisite to admission to the program.
Accreditation
Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.
Tuition – $6,450
#7. Florida State University
With over 40,000 students, this large university located in Florida’s capital city – Tallahassee – is recognized by the Carnegie Institute for its extensive research and offers over 300 programs of study in its 16 colleges. Florida State prides itself in being a welcoming community to diverse populations and leads the nation in the number of doctorates awarded to African Americans.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
FSU’s School of Education offers an online Masters in Educational Leadership/Administration which allow individuals to continue working while enriching their professional careers. Each course is taught by a fully qualified professor and students must learn how to collaborate with peers just as students would in class. This program is comprised of 36 credit hours of course work including the compiling of a comprehensive portfolio at the end of the program.
Accreditation
Florida State’s academic programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
Tuition – $12,819
#8. Kansas State University
The main campus of Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas – a small town with more than 52,000 residents. Additional campuses are in Salina and Olathe, Kansas. Its 24, 300 students hail from all fifty states and are able to choose from more than 250 undergraduate degree programs, 65, master’s degrees and 45 doctoral degrees.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
The College of Education at Kansas State offers a Masters in Educational Leadership program that is geared towards elementary and secondary educational leaders. The program is designed to give students the tools they need to be more effective school leaders. Students can choose to either take the degree online route or the degree and certification/licensure route which are 30 or 36 credit hours respectively.
Accreditation
Since 1916, Kansas State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central association of Colleges and Schools. Both the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Kansas State Department of Education serve as the accrediting bodies for the Professional Education Unit at the university.
Tuition – $12,936
#9.Brandman University
Brandman University is a private, non-profit regionally accredited institution based out of Irvine California. Brandman has campuses throughout California and the state of Washington. Additionally Brandman University has a large presence in the online degree attainment field that caters to working professionals and military personnel.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Brandman University offers a Masters of Art in Education with an emphasis on educational leadership. The program is designed for educators seeking advancement in their field. It is important to note that any online degrees in education from Brandman University are available to California residents only.
Accreditation
Brandman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Teacher-training programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Tuition – $17,100
#10. Emporia State University
A public university in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University was established in 1863 and is the 3rd oldest school and one of six public universities in the state. The university has four colleges: the School of Business, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Library Information Management and the Teachers college which was named as one of four educational institutions to be named as an Exemplary Model Teacher Education program by Arthur Levine.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Emporia State University offers a M. Ed in Educational Leadership which is comprised of 35 credit hours. This degree is unique in that it is 100% online, including the practicum portion that is available during the spring and fall semesters. Applicants typically complete the degree in a two year time frame but have the flexibility to extend the plan up to seven years.
Accreditation
The university as a whole falls under the accreditation of the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association. Fourteen undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by program accreditations including the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and Kansas State Department of Education for undergraduate and graduate programs in education.
Tuition – $8,490
#11. University of Louisiana—Monroe
Located in Monroe Louisiana the University of Louisiana Monroe was established in 1931 as Ouachita Parish Junior College. ULM grew to its approximate size during the 1950’s to be the largest university in northern Louisiana. In 1999 the university took the name University of Louisiana.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
The University of Louisiana Monroe offers a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership designed for the busy educator. The program is a 36 credit hour course and gives the option of several endorsements. Endorsements include, Secondary Principal, Teacher Leader, Supervisor of Instruction and Superintendent. The program requires a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a bachelors degree among other stipulations for acceptance.
Accreditation
The ULM College of Education is accredited by the Louisiana State Department of Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Tuition – $10,920
#12. University of Missouri
The University of Missouri is the flagship university in the state of Missouri. Located in Columbia, the university was established in 1839 and today boasts a student body of over 35,000 students and goes by the moniker Mizzou. Missouri offers a wide array of degree programs including, Education, Business, and Journalism to name a few.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Mizzou’s College of Education includes masters degrees in Educational Leadership that fit the schedule of any working teacher. The accelerated program can be completed in 15 months and will prepare the student for licensure and certification for K-12 administration in the state of Missouri. The program is a 30 plus credit hour course.
Accreditation
The University of Missouri College of Education and Human Development is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the American Psychological Association and the Council on Rehabilitation.
Tuition – $11,184
#13. American Public University
American Public University is a for profit online university with administrative offices in West Virginia. American Public University was established in 1993 and is part of a system that services both the military and civilians alike.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
American Public University offers a Masters in Educational Leadership that is designed for educators who wish to specialize in K-12 administration. This program offers four different concentrations, K-12 certification, K-12 non-certification, K-12 non-certification athletic administration, K-12 non-certification virtual track. Generally speaking this program is a 36 credit hour program.
Accreditation
APU is part of the American Public University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org)
Tuition – $11,700
#14. Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University is a liberal arts college which is affiliated with the Concordia University System and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The school has roughly 7,000 students in both its traditional and global based campus. Concordia is unique in its proportion of traditional students to those who choose the independent or online cohort model.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
Concordia University offers a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership which can be completed fully online and is 32 credit hours in length. This program is a collaboration with the University of Concordia Ann Arbor and the Wisconsin campus, and is approved by the Michigan department of education for principal preparation. As an added bonus for educators currently working for a Christian school a 25% discount is being offered.
Accreditation
Concordia University is accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Tuition – $16,960
#15. Northcentral University
Northcentral University is a virtual for profit university established in 1996. This private university offers an array of programs both in the traditional classroom setting and online. Offerings include masters degree programs in Technology Management, Marriage and Family Therapy, Education and behavioral sciences. Northcentral has a main campus in Prescott Arizona and currently has an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students among its various programs.
Online Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration Program Details
In order to secure acceptance into the Masters of Education programs, applicants must prove they hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, and must submit an online application. Those who already hold a bachelors degree in their chosen field may start their masters degree immediately at Northcentral University. This is a 36 hour credit program that can be delivered either online or in a traditional classroom.
Accreditation
Northcentral University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and the United States Department of Education.
Tuition – $15,10