Become a dynamic and collaborative leader who makes a positive impact on your students, teachers, district, and community every day.
High-Quality Curriculum
Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership proudly offers a principal preparation program nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council.
Hands-On Mentorship
Get personalized guidance and mentorship to help you achieve a clear path to certification, licensure, and your future.
The Educator of EducatorsTM
Trust in a university with 50 years of experience helping educators positively impact learning environments of all kinds.
Program Details
Curriculum
Completion Requirements
- 36 sem. credits
- Field Experience courses (6 sem. credits)
- In an effort to support program affordability for our students, Walden has replaced the residency requirements with optional webinars that are available every eight-week term. Topics will include best practices for educational leadership and identifying subject matter experts to provide assistance on available resources.
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0539.
Admission Requirements
Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
More information for international applicants.
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 36 semester credit hours | $855 per quarter hour | $30,780 |
| Technology Fee | Per semester | $230 | $1,150 |
| $31,930* |
*Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included.
Paying for Your Education
Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.
Program Savings
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
All EdS graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply discipline-specific knowledge to address issues in educational settings.
- Apply evidence-based practices to address a problem within the academic and/or work environment and propose a solution.
- Communicate information to a variety of stakeholders using oral and written formats.
- Practice ethically as a professional in the field of education.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in educational settings.
- Advocate for social change to make a positive impact in educational settings.
Specialization Learning Outcomes
In addition to the shared EdS learning outcomes above, Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Preparation) graduates will be prepared to:
- Lead initiatives that evaluate and improve instructional programs.
- Effectively manage all personnel and provide ongoing evaluation and professional development in teaching and learning.
- Create a strategic plan using a visioning process to be shared and supported by all stakeholders.
- Use data to effectively manage the organization and resources for a safe, secure, and effective learning environment.
- Address community interests and diverse needs through communicating and collaborating with internal and external audiences.
- Articulate the school’s role within the broader political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context and respond effectively to changes that impact the school community.
- Model democratic value systems, ethics, and moral leadership; support others to grow and develop as caring and informed citizens.
A Contemporary, Innovative Education Specialist Degree Program
In Walden’s online EdS in educational leadership program, you’ll develop strategic skills to understand and manage today’s complex educational issues. Explore how to assess, improve, and lead high-quality instructional programs. Gain strategies to help you recruit, hire, and retain personnel who share your vision. Learn to inspire students, teachers, staff, and families to work together to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all.
Career Outlook
Distinguish yourself with an online EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration degree from the Riley College of Education and Human Sciences at Walden. The college is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)— an educator preparation accreditor recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Develop the expertise and credentials required to serve as a principal or administrator.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual mean salary for elementary, middle, and high school principals in May 2019 was $96,400. However, the salary range typically falls between $63,070 and $148,630.1 Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, years of professional experience, and geographical region.
An EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration can prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- Elementary school principal
- Middle or junior high principal
- Senior high principal
- Assistant/vice principal
An EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools
- Early childhood centers
- Charter schools
- Private schools
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Related Articles
1Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals. National salary projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not reflect actual salaries, and are subject to change.
2Source: Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insight™. Occupational Analysis. Query conditions “Elementary and Secondary School Administrator”. Retrieved February 2020.
3Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not reflect actual job growth, and are subject to change.
4Source: Walden University Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA), as of December 31, 2019.
Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education specialization, MS in Education – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSED-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.
CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Human Sciences has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
Licensure
Walden is approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators and by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to offer a program leading to initial principal licensure. Candidates must select if they wish to pursue Minnesota or Ohio licensure requirements before the end of their first course in the program. All candidates must pass the required Ohio principal licensure exam (OAE 015 Educational Leadership Exam) in order to complete the program. Candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota or Ohio are responsible for completing any other Minnesota or Ohio requirements beyond Walden’s state-approved program. The Minnesota Board of School Administrators or the Ohio Department of Higher Education is solely responsible for reviewing applications and issuing licenses.
Individuals interested in licensure in states other than Minnesota or Ohio may qualify by virtue of completing a state-approved educator preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Individuals who reside in certain states may be ineligible to enroll in this program. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure questions however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.