Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

Principal & Athletic Leadership, Master of Arts

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Courses

Overview

This fully online master’s degree program—offered through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous courses—prepares working professionals for leadership roles as building principals and athletic directors. The flexible format allows students to balance coursework with their professional and personal commitments while gaining the knowledge and skills to lead effectively in educational settings. Graduates are recommended to receive the Michigan School Administrator Certificate and may also qualify for administrative certification in other states, depending on state-specific requirements.

Important Notice: Beginning January 2025, the State of Michigan will require a state test for individuals seeking a School Administrator License at either

Meet Jason

Jason, an alumnus of the program, serves as the superintendent of Glen Lake Community Schools, leading district-wide initiatives and operations.

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Attend an informational session!

A lady on a computer listening to a virtual meeting

Learn more about the program by attending one of our virtual information sessions. These sessions offer the opportunity to meet with a faculty member—and occasionally a current student—to gain a deeper understanding of the program structure, coursework, and application process. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation about how the program can support their professional goals.

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Why apply?

Offered fully virtually to support working professionals, including several synchronous class sessions each semester to support "face-to-face" student engagement.
This program can have the fewest required credits of any similar M.A. in the state of Michigan, with students able to earn up to 15 of the 33 required credits with our Prior Learning Assessment program. Learn more.
Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as No. 22nd in the nation and No. 1 in Michigan for best online master's degrees offering educational supervision for veterans in their 2025 rankings (and an overall best ranking of No. 71 in the nation, and No. 2 in Michigan). Learn more.
Great outcomes in that 97% of WMU K-12 administrative graduates have been rated as "effective" or "highly effective" by their school district within their first three years as an administrator.

Program of Study

In this program, you’ll engage in coursework that builds the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead schools and athletic programs. Topics explore areas such as instructional leadership, curriculum and assessment, school law and ethics, finance and operations, and community relations. Students also gain hands-on experience through a two-part principal internship, providing opportunities to apply leadership concepts in real-world settings under the guidance of experienced administrators. For those pursuing the athletic administration pathway, coursework focuses on the governance, organization, and management of sport programs and facilities. Together, these experiences prepare graduates to lead with confidence, data-informed insight, and a commitment to ethical and culturally responsive practice.

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Admissions requirements

To learn about admission requirements, please visit the Graduate College's webpage.

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Cost & funding