Education
The M.A. in Educational Leadership is a 36-credit, online, cohort-based program completed over two years. Upon completion of the program and a passing score of 151 on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA, 6990), candidates will be eligible for a standard supervisor certificate and a certificate of eligibility for roles such as assistant principal, director, or principal. To remain in the program, candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.25. Candidates for principal certification must also document at least 3 years of certificated teaching experience and provide evidence that they will complete the 4th and 5th years of their studies. The program includes a 300-hour administrative internship and an action research project.
SEU Voices
“My experience in the MA in Educational Leadership program at Saint Elizabeth University was overwhelmingly positive. It provided both strong practical leadership foundations and a deep grounding in servant leadership. This shaped my unwavering moral compass, guiding decision-making through challenging times and preparing me for success as an educational leader and now as a doctoral student.”
Samantha Heimple
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation, Kenilworth School District.
“Pursuing my Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Elizabeth University was instrumental in preparing me to become the leader I am today. The program provided a strong foundation in instructional leadership, strategic planning, school operations, budgeting, and staff development, while also emphasizing the importance of leading with integrity and vision. Through both coursework and real-world application, I gained the confidence and skills to lead meaningful change. In my current role as Deputy Superintendent with Newark Public Schools, I draw upon those experiences daily to support schools, develop leaders, and advance student success across the district.”
Yolonda Severe
Deputy Superintendent of Schools for the Newark district
Program Goals
The goals of the M.A. in Educational Leadership degree are to:
- Provide opportunities for candidates to acquire the knowledge, skill, and dispositions necessary for growth and development as school leaders based upon the Professional Standards for Education Leaders.
- Provide future school leaders with the opportunities to demonstrate an understanding of how to develop a vision of purpose, use information to frame a problem, and exercise leadership processes to achieve common goals..
- Prepare candidates to function as ethically and socially responsible school leaders within a caring community of learning dedicated to teaching and learning excellence.
- Prepare school leaders who are humane, confident, and professionally involved.
Careers and Outcomes
Careers and Outcomes
A Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership prepares graduates for roles such as K-12 school principals, assistant principals, and curriculum directors. To receive your principal certification, you must take and pass the SLLA exam given by ETS.
Our program will assist graduates in providing all supporting documentation to earn a principal endorsement. Educators who complete all steps and obtain the principal endorsement position themselves for future career options, including the opportunity to pursue superintendent endorsement if they so choose.
Salary and Job Outlook
In New Jersey, demand for school principals is high, driven by numerous openings for the 2026-2027 school year, including positions in Newark, Camden, and various suburban districts. The market offers opportunities at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, with salaries ranging from $68,000 to over $200,000, averaging roughly $134,897 annually. Openings include principal and assistant principal positions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to decline nationwide by 2% from 2024 to 2034. Despite this, an estimated 20,800 principal openings are projected each year over the decade, primarily to replace those who retire or change occupations.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (.gov) +1
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- Official Transcripts
- Current Resume
- 500-word personal statement (1-2 pages) as to why you are interested in obtaining a graduate degree, what are your long-term goals and how will a graduate degree help you achieve them.
- Two letters of recommendation. Recommendations can be from a faculty member, professor, or from a professional reference.
- Applicants must be certified professional educators.
*Unofficial transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation and the essay can be submitted as part of the online application. The application fee is waived if you apply online.
Unique Elements of This Program
- Cohort-based program offered fully online.
- A sequenced 36-credit program over a two-year time frame.
- Connects our students with nationally respected leaders in the field.
- Meets N.J. requirements for initial certification as principal and/or supervisor.
- Combines theoretical knowledge with substantive opportunities for field-based application.
- Aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).
- Offered at a reduced tuition rate.
- Certification Application processed by the University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students accepted into the program will participate as a member of a cohort in a sequence of integrated courses designed to prepare them for school leadership roles. Interested students must be prepared to make a commitment to participate in the entire sequence of experiences to be eligible for graduation and provisional certification. If you have your Master's Degree and completed three years of successful full-time teaching or educational service experience, you will become fully certified as a supervisor if you take the following courses: EDAS603 Curriculum Theory & Practice, EDAS681 Supervision of Instruction, EDAS688 Leadership Development Institute, and EDAS612 Leadership for Curricular Change. Three of the courses are offered online for 7-week sessions or a full semester. EDAS 688 Leadership Development Institute is offered during July of the Summer II semester.
SEU offers a reduced tuition rate for the online MA Program in Educational Leadership.
Upon successful completion of the program and a passing score on the SLLA Praxis, candidates will be eligible for a standard certificate as a supervisor and a certificate of eligibility as an assistant principal, director, and principal. Candidates for the principal's certification also must document at least three years of certificated teaching experience, as well as provide evidence that a fourth and fifth year will be completed during the course of studies.
Applications may be submitted online at www.steu.edu/apply or by mail to:
Office of Admission
Saint Elizabeth University
2 Convent Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
Program Contact
Joseph Ciccone, Ed.D.
Program Director and Associate Professo
Santa Maria Hall D100
As the Director of Educational Leadership, I oversee the supervisor and principal certification programs and the doctoral-level Ed.D. program. Drawing on my experience as a school leader at multiple levels, I serve as the primary point of contact for students interested in educational administration. Email: jciccone@steu.edu Phone: 973-290-4383