Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation)

Walden University’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills to become a licensed principal.* Our curriculum is focused on preparing you to:

• Understand and manage complex educational issues.
• Assess, improve, and provide quality instructional programs.
• Recruit, hire, and retain school personnel committed to improving student learning.
• Create a shared strategic vision.
• Encourage and inspire students, teachers, staff members, families, and the community to work together to provide a safe and secure learning environment.

This unique scholar-practitioner program, grounded in current research, provides students with opportunities to respond to authentic case studies, participate in school leadership experiences, work side by side with principal mentors, and develop the ability to impact social change.

The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program and its curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators as a principal preparation program that can lead to preK–12 principal licensure in Minnesota. It is also approved by the Ohio Board of Regents as a program that meets the Ohio State Board of Education’s standards for building principal licenses (grades preK–6, grades 4–9, and grades 5–12). Its curriculum is aligned with the standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC), and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

Gain a general understanding of the guidelines and requirements of the principal preparation program with the Principal Candidate Guidebook (abridged version). After you download the guidebook, please call 1-866-492-5336 to speak with your enrollment advisor for assistance in reviewing the information.

• Principal Candidate Handbook (abridged version)

When you choose Walden’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration, you can benefit from the flexibility of online learning and from MobileLearn^SM. Offered exclusively at Walden, MobileLearn not only enables you to choose where and when you learn, it also gives you the ability to choose how you learn. Learn more. 

Learn More

• Choose Your Ed.S. Program
• Ed.S., Ed.D., or Ph.D.: Which Program Is Right for You?
• Exit Evaluation
• Expert Faculty
• Face-to-Face Residencies
• Field Experience
• Pre-Assessment and Individual Learning Plan
• Professional ePortfolio
• Situational Observations

Other Ed.S. Programs

Walden offers many more learning options. Find the right one for you:

• See all online Ed.S. programs.
• Explore programs by career paths.

Find information about Walden programs and licensure requirements specific to your state.

For assistance in deciding which online degree program fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.

^*Walden University is approved by Minnesota to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program that leads to licensure as a preK-12 principal in Minnesota. This is the only program offered by Walden that is state approved as leading to any preK-12 administrative/leadership license (e.g., assistant principal, principal, teacher leader, superintendent).

Walden University is also approved by Ohio to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program, which leads to licensure as a building principal (grades preK–6, grades 4–9, and grades 5–12) in Ohio.

Prospective candidates from outside of Minnesota and Ohio should review their own state’s requirements to ensure that completing a teacher or principal preparation program at Walden will meet eligibility requirements for similar licensure in their state. 

Walden University makes no representation or guarantee that successful completion of Walden’s programs, or coursework for graduate credit within any graduate program, will permit a graduate to obtain state licensure or endorsement as a preK–12 teacher or administrator.