The independent, trusted guide to online education for over 28 years!

Which School Leadership Roles Need an Online Education Administration Master’s?

Which School Leadership Roles Need an Online Education Administration Master’s?

Group of educators discussing strategies in a campus office setting for leadership training

Tony Huffman
September 14, 2026

Online education administration master’s degree requirements vary by leadership role, state, and school setting. Public school principal positions most often require graduate education plus licensure, while district, independent school, and college roles differ. Before comparing online master’s programs, match the credential to current job postings and state rules.

Key Takeaways

  • A principal licensure track is the clearest fit when a public school leadership job requires an administrative credential.
  • District, policy, independent school, and higher education jobs may call for different degrees or no school administrator license.
  • Program titles are not enough; check field work, licensure alignment, and the credential awarded before enrolling.
Compare Education Leadership Master’s Programs

Online Education Administration Master’s Degree Requirements by Role

Public school principal is the role most likely to justify this degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that administrators in kindergarten through secondary schools typically need a master’s degree and five or more years of related work experience. A degree alone may not qualify you. States often place principal licensure or endorsement rules on top of the graduate education requirement.

The structure of a licensure program shows why the track matters. According to the official M.Ed. in Educational Leadership—Principal Licensure program page cited below, one online program requires 33 credit hours, 11 courses, and a year-long field work. Those elements are not small extras. They are part of preparing for a regulated role and may require cooperation from your current school or district.

Field work can differ sharply between programs. An official M.Ed. in Educational Administration program page lists 300 field and field work hours. A separate principal licensure program requires applicants to hold a master’s degree and have two years of teaching experience under a valid teaching or pupil-services license. That second route is a post-master’s credential, not a reason to earn another full master’s.

  • Public school principal: Look for a state-aligned principal license or endorsement track.
  • Assistant principal: Check the same state rules that apply to principals; districts may use this role as an administrative entry point.
  • Already hold a master’s: Compare post-master’s licensure programs before paying for a second degree.

GetEducated's Picks

Compare 328 Education Administration Picks

Principal, District, and Independent School Tracks Are Not Interchangeable

A checklist comparing online education administration master's degree requirements and job postings for school leadership roles
How education administration master's choices differ on time, total cost, and fit.

“Educational leadership” can describe several kinds of study. Aurora University’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership / Principal Endorsement names a principal credential in the title. George Mason University’s Master of Education in Education Leadership / Independent School Leadership points toward a different setting. The titles tell you where to begin, but the job posting and state agency make the final call.

District positions need closer reading. Jobs in curriculum, operations, student services, or policy may prefer leadership training, yet their education requirements can differ from superintendent or principal rules. American University’s Master of Education in Education Policy & Leadership, for example, signals a policy focus rather than a principal endorsement. That distinction matters if your target posting asks for administrator licensure.

Use the role, not the broad degree label, to narrow your search. The education administration degree directory can help you see the available degree levels, while a doctorate may make more sense for some senior roles. Review doctorate requirements for school leaders only if your target position names that level or your career plan clearly depends on it.

  • Copy the exact education and licensure language from several current job postings.
  • Check whether the program leads to initial licensure, an added endorsement, or no license.
  • Confirm whether independent schools follow the same credential rules as public schools in your area.

Higher Education Leadership Usually Follows a Different Route

College administration is not the same professional track as public school administration. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says postsecondary education administrators typically need a master’s degree. Employers often prefer experience in a college or university academic administrative office. Principal licensure is generally not the central qualification for work in admissions, student affairs, academic services, or campus administration.

Program specialization can make this split visible. American Public University System offers a Master of Education / Higher Education Administration and a Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education / Campus Leadership. Both titles point toward college settings rather than public school principal preparation. A candidate seeking a dean of students role at a school district should not assume that a higher education track will meet local administrator rules.

Find Your Online Education Degree

Narrow 298 accredited online Education degree programs to find the perfect fit.

Program Area

Concentration

Degree Level

Clear filters

Labor demand should remain supporting context, not the reason to ignore a job’s stated requirements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for postsecondary education administrators to grow 2% from 2025–2035, with about 14,500 openings each year. That outlook does not make every education leadership degree interchangeable. Relevant office experience and the program’s setting still matter.

  • Student affairs or campus services: Favor higher education administration or student affairs study.
  • Academic department leadership: Check whether the employer expects a degree in the department’s academic field.
  • K–12 administration: Do not substitute a college administration track for a state-approved principal route without written confirmation.

Match the Program Title to the Job Posting

The best comparison starts with three documents: the job posting, the state credential page, and the university’s licensure disclosure. Put their wording side by side. If the posting requires a principal license, a general leadership degree without that credential is a weak match even if its courses sound useful.

Target Role Degree or Credential Signal Program Example What to Verify
Public school principal Principal licensure or endorsement Aurora University — Master of Arts in Educational Leadership / Principal Endorsement State approval, field work placement, and license eligibility
Independent school leader Leadership study tied to independent schools George Mason University — Master of Education in Education Leadership / Independent School Leadership Whether target employers require a public administrator license
College administrator Higher education administration American Public University System — Master of Education / Higher Education Administration Required campus experience and preferred academic field
Education policy role Policy and leadership curriculum American University — Master of Education in Education Policy & Leadership Whether the job requires licensure, policy experience, or research skills

Cost deserves a final check after the credential match is clear. Three entries in The 138 Cheapest Online Master’s in Education Administration carry total program costs of $8,160, $8,200, and $9,050. These figures show why comparing the full bill matters, but a low-cost non-licensure track remains a poor buy if your state requires approved principal preparation.

Before applying, ask the program to identify the exact credential earned and the states where its curriculum meets educational requirements. Also ask who arranges field work and whether your current workplace can serve as the field work site. For another cost-focused view, see the cheapest online education administration master’s programs.

A master’s is justified when it clears a named education requirement or supplies the approved preparation needed for your target license. It is harder to justify when the job accepts several graduate fields, values experience more than a particular major, or requires a credential the program does not award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do principals need a Master’s degree?

Public school principals typically need graduate education, relevant school experience, and a state administrator credential. Check your state rules because the degree major and approved preparation route can differ.

Does an education administration Master’s lead to principal licensure?

Not always. Some programs include an approved principal license or endorsement track. Others are academic or non-licensure degrees. The university should state the outcome clearly.

Can I become an assistant principal with this degree?

The degree may meet part of the requirement, but districts and states can also require teaching experience, field work, exams, or an administrative credential.

Do district office jobs require education administration degrees?

Some do, especially regulated senior leadership posts. Other district jobs may accept degrees in curriculum, special education, finance, policy, counseling, or another field tied to the work.

Do private school leaders need principal licensure?

Requirements depend on the school and jurisdiction. Some private or independent schools set their own hiring standards, while others prefer candidates with public school credentials.

What can I do with a Master’s degree in education administration?

Possible settings include public schools, district offices, independent schools, colleges, and education organizations. Your specialization, work record, and license determine which roles are realistic.

Can you get an education administration degree online?

Yes. Coursework may be online, but licensure programs can still require supervised field work or a field work at an approved site.

Should I earn a second Master’s for principal licensure?

Not automatically. If you already hold a graduate degree, compare post-master’s license or endorsement programs with full master’s programs before committing more time and money.

Is a higher education administration degree useful for K–12 leadership?

It may build transferable management skills, but it may not satisfy principal or superintendent credential rules. Use the program only if it matches the required qualification for your target job.

Sources

Share this article