Washington State University at Vancouver

Programme overview

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership at WSU Vancouver is a 35-credit, non-thesis graduate degree emphasizing practical and theoretical foundations of administrative leadership in K–12 and related educational settings. The curriculum is designed for working educators and aligns with state Administrator Certificate requirements so students may combine the degree with certification coursework.

What you'll study

Students complete graded coursework across three core areas: foundations, research, and leadership, plus a pass-fail comprehensive exam. A typical program of study includes:

• ED_PSYCH 505: Research Methods
• ED_AD 503: Values and Ethics in Education
• ED_AD 507: Social Foundations of Education
• ED_AD 509: Leading School Improvement*
• ED_AD 516: Instructional and Curricular Leadership*
• ED_AD 522: Race and Representation in Education
• ED_AD 580: School Organization and Administration
• ED_AD 583: Community and Communications*
• ED_AD 585: Financial Management in Education*
• ED_AD 588: The Law and Education*
• ED_AD 589: Leadership Development Seminar*
• ED_AD 702: Master’s Exam

Courses marked with an asterisk are required for the Administrator Certificate. The Master’s Exam (ED_AD 702) is a take-home, case-study-based assessment completed over four weeks and graded pass/fail; it requires synthesis of learning and application of multiple leadership lenses.

Entry requirements

Applications for the degree and the combined degree-plus-Administrator Certificate are revised annually. Prospective students should contact the Academic Coordinator to request an application. Admissions admit for summer or fall starts; priority windows open early in the year and late applications are accepted on a space-available basis. Combining the degree with the Administrator Certificate raises the total credit requirement from 35 to 41, and course sequences are designed to permit completion of both in approximately three years.

Career prospects

The program prepares educators for leadership roles such as school principals, program administrators, and other institutional leadership positions within K–12 systems and educational organizations. Emphases include school improvement, instructional leadership, financial and legal aspects of school administration, and community communication—skills relevant to building- and district-level leadership.

Scholarships & funding angle

The source page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult WSU Vancouver graduate funding resources, departmental advising, and external educator leadership grants or employer tuition-support programs for potential funding avenues.