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, skills, dispositions, and experiences 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 P–12 principal licensure in Minnesota. Its curriculum is also 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).
Learn More
- Program Courses
- Pre-Assessment and Individual Learning Plan
- Field Experience
- Face-to-Face Residencies
- Situational Observations
- Professional ePortfolio
- Exit Evaluation
By choosing Walden, you are choosing a rich and engaging learning experience that complements your unique learning style. Whether you prefer text, audio, or video formats, if your course is MobileLearnSM-enabled, you will be able to download and access course content offline and on the go, giving your study schedule even greater flexibility.
Completion Requirements
- 36 total semester credit hours
- Field Experience courses (6 sem. credits)
- Two 3-day residencies
Estimated time to completion is 20 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
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)
- Information for prospective Alabama and Washington state students
Core Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 7002 | Foundations: Educational Leadership and Administration | 3 |
| EDUC 7200 | Teaching and Learning for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDUC 7201 | Communication and Collaboration for Leaders | 3 |
| EDUC 7202 | Ensuring Quality Education for Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| EDUC 7203 | Policy and Law in School Organizations | 3 |
| EDUC 7204 | Using Data to Strengthen Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 7205 | Budgeting and Allocating Resources | 3 |
| EDUC 7206 | Creating Positive, Safe, and Effective Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 7207 | Leading Curriculum Initiatives: Literacy and Math | 3 |
| EDUC 7208 | Recruiting, Evaluating, and Retaining School Personnel | 3 |
| EDUC 7801 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7802 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7803 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7804 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7805 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7806 | Field Experience | 1 |
Learn More
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.
Other Recommended Programs
- Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
- Ed.S. in Educational Technology
- Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership
*Walden University is approved by Minnesota to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program that leads to licensure as a P–12 principal in Minnesota. This is the only program offered by Walden that is state approved as leading to any P–12 administrative/leadership license (e.g., assistant principal, principal, teacher leader, superintendent).
In addition, through a partnership with the Harris County Department of Education, Walden’s M.S. in Education, Educational Leadership program leads to principal licensure at the master’s level in Texas. More information about the Texas Principal Certification Program can be found at http://www.hcde-texas.org/default.aspx?name=PrinCert.
Prospective candidates from outside of Minnesota 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 P–12 teacher or administrator.
