Educational Leadership (Principalship), MEd
Education, Management, edulp, edute, leadership, schools, teachers college
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is changing their name, effective Fall 2025. The new name is Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
No matter where you're located, you can acquire the decision-making acumen required to be a transformative leader in education.
The Master of Education program in educational leadership with a concentration in principalship is designed for educators committed to systemic action and inclusive excellence. The program develops leaders who can build and sustain learning environments that empower educators to deliver excellent learning experiences and outcomes to all learners.
Offered entirely remotely, students can choose between two flexible modalities:
- ASU Sync --- This accelerated, four-semester program provides synchronous evening classes via Zoom, featuring live, interactive learning with peers and faculty. ASU Sync students need to reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync and should consult an advisor for alternative program options.
- ASU Online --- ASU offers this program in a flexibly paced, online format with several enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program's ASU Online page for program descriptions. Because it is flexibly paced, the program can typically take four to eight semesters to complete.
Both modalities are designed to meet Arizona's principal certification requirements and align with national educational leadership standards. Students seeking certification in a state other than Arizona should consult their respective state departments of education before applying.
This program prepares systems leaders to:
- Apply systems thinking to school leadership, using data-informed strategies and research-based frameworks to strengthen instructional practices and improve outcomes for educators and students.
- Foster belonging and opportunity by implementing policies and practices that ensure every student is supported in developing their academic skills, social confidence and long-term success.
- Align staffing and resources strategically to maximize learning conditions, strengthen educator effectiveness, and meet the needs of the school community.
- Build authentic partnerships with families, educators and community members to create environments where all voices are valued and decisions reflect the strengths and aspirations of the community.
A cornerstone of the program is the two-semester, school-based internship in which students work with a certified mentor principal to apply their learning in dynamic learning environments. This laboratory of practice enables students to design and implement an action research project that addresses a problem of practice within their school, preparing them to lead with confidence and competence.
ASU Sync
Students seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: West Valley, ASU Sync or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (EDA 593)
Required Core (9 credit hours)
EDA 501 Foundations of Educational Leadership (3)
EDA 502 Transformative Leadership (3)
EDA 503 Leadership for Evidence-informed Decisions (3)
Concentration (15 credit hours)
EDA 511 School Law and Ethics (3)
EDA 548 Engaging Students, Families and Community (3)
EDA 572 Effective Resource Allocation (3)
EDA 586 Professional Learning and Performance Assessment (3)
EDA 588 Leading for All Learners (3)
Other Requirement (6 credit hours)
EDA 584 Internship (3)
EDA 684 Internship (3)
Leadership Electives (3 credit hours)
EDA 598 Topic: Coaching and Consultation (2)
EDA 598 Topic: Happiness in Leadership (1)
EDA 598 Topic: Leadership by Design (3)
EDA 598 Topic: Leadership Think Tank (2)
EDA 598 Topic: Leadership via Self-awareness and Self-care (2)
EDA 598 Topic: Leading and Facilitating Teams (1)
EDA 598 Topic: Qualified Evaluator (1)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
EDA 593 Applied Project (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students may choose from the electives list offered. Selecting an elective outside the provided list requires department approval.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have at least two years of pre-K--12 teaching experience as a teacher of record.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program, and one of the letters must be from a current immediate supervisor who is a principal, assistant principal or the equivalent.
The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Graduates of this robust, standards-based leadership preparation program have the expertise to become transformative school leaders. They have decision-making skills rooted in professional self-awareness, effective collaboration and critical reasoning.
Career examples include:
- assistant principal
- educational consultant
- instructional coordinator
- K--12 team lead
- principal
- school leader
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Educational Leadership & Innovation, Division
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ED 118
GradEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
