Principal & Athletic Leadership, Master of Arts

Overview

This fully online master’s degree program is offered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous courses and prepares working professionals for leadership roles in schools, including building principals, instructional leaders, and athletic directors. The flexible format allows students to balance coursework with professional and personal commitments while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to lead effectively, foster positive school cultures, and support instructional excellence. Graduates are recommended for the Michigan School Administrator Certificate and may also qualify for administrative certification in other states, depending on state-specific requirements.

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

ramsey

Meet Ramsey (M.A. '23)

For nearly 30 years, Ramsey Nichols, an educator and basketball coach at Kalamazoo Central High School, has dedicated his career to supporting students, teaching, and coaching across Michigan. He has built a record of success both on and off the court, mentoring athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.

Attend an informational session!

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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.

  • 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. 

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.

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

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