The Educational Leadership Program prepares students to become collaborative, proactive educational leaders committed to improving the quality of leadership in a variety of organizational contexts. This is achieved by assuming leadership positions or roles within educational organizations and classrooms, engaging in scholarly inquiry about school and classroom leadership, meeting state and national standards and school reform initiatives, as well as improving practices within educational arenas. The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MA-EDL) is designed to equip educators with the skills for positions of administration in K-12 schools, higher education and educational organizations. The Principal Administrative Endorsement is an option that many students choose to complete within the required coursework for their MA-EDL. The Principal endorsement program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Educational Leadership Program integrates of a wide variety of scholarly and clinical activities oriented toward practical application of intellectual, democratic and ethical aspects of school and classroom leadership. Students will participate in formal courses, clinical experiences, research and the master’s closure activities. The Educational Leadership, M.A. is designed to meet the professional growth and in-service needs of Illinois educators.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop leadership skills for educational settings.
  • Understand legal and ethical issues in education.
  • Master strategies for school improvement and community engagement.

Quick Facts

Format
On-campus
Duration
2 years
Credit Hours
36

Accreditation

CAEP Accredited for leadership training. Recognized as a top regional program for aspiring school administrators

Calendar

Don't miss an important date or deadline

Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar

Now Enrolling

Apply by Date:
May 15, 2025

Start Date:
August 22, 2025

Apply Today!

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Tuition & Aid

UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.

 

Value of a UIS Degree

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UIS is No. 5 for students graduating with the least amount of debt, Midwest Region (2021).

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Top 25 best value school, Midwest Region, and the only public university in Illinois on the list (2022, 2023, 2024).

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98% of students receive aid

The average graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 - $69,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

< High School
$26,800
High School
$36,600
Bachelor's
$68,300
Master's
$87,200
Doctorate
$105,600

Admissions

Applying to UIS is simple

We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.

 

Review admission requirements

No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.

International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.

Complete your application

An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.

Send your official transcripts

Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Submit required statements/writing sample

If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on you're application status page.

Pay your application fee

You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.

Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;

International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.

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Voted No. 1 public regional university in Illinois
2020 - 2024

Courses & Catalog Information

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Career Opportunities

Exploring the following career paths can help you see how your degree opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities in various fields.

  • Adjunct Professor
  • Administrator
  • Admissions Director
  • Adult Education Teacher
  • Alumni Relations Coordinator
  • Athletic Coach
  • Athletic Director
  • Career Counselor
  • Career Services Representative
  • Child Life Specialist
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Education Consultant
  • Education Manager
  • Education Product Developer
  • Education/Disability Coordinator
  • Educational Materials Sales Person
  • Elementary Teacher
  • Employee Relations Specialist
  • Government Worker
  • Grant Writer
  • Lecturer
  • Librarian
  • Literacy Consultant
  • Media Center Specialist
  • Missionary
  • Parole Officer
  • Principal
  • Probation Officer
  • Professor
  • Program Director
  • Registrar
  • Resource Teacher
  • Site Coordinator
  • Special Education Administrator
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Student Life Coordinator
  • Substitute Teacher
  • Superintendent of Schools
  • Teacher
  • Teaching Laboratory Manager
  • Training Specialist
  • Tutor
  • Vice Principal
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
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