Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

Core curriculum threads leadership theory and applied problems of K–12 leadership, including:

• Effective Communication as an Education Leader
• Instruction and Innovation
• Schools as Organizations
• Organizational Assessment and Evaluation

The program requires 54 total hours, with 12 hours of Advanced Standing granted to applicants holding a Principal or Superintendent Certification, reducing the required hours to 42 for those students. An embedded dissertation approach integrates a series of "dissertation journey tasks" in each course, begins chair engagement early in the second semester, and leads to a Concept Proposal as a prerequisite for LEAD 765.

Students may choose one of three concentrations:

• Higher Education — focus on resource management, legal/ethical issues, diversity, student development, spiritual formation, assessment and research within postsecondary settings.
• Principalship — campus-level leadership emphasis on improving student learning, data use, effective learning environments and research-based school leadership practices.
• School Superintendent — district-level preparation covering school finance and facilities, state policy and politics, district instructional leadership and district-wide theories and practices.

Entry requirements

The published materials note that applicants who hold a Principal or Superintendent Certification may receive 12 hours of Advanced Standing. The page does not list other specific admissions criteria; prospective applicants should consult ACU’s admissions office or program page for formal entry requirements and documentation instructions.

Career prospects

The program positions graduates for administrative roles in K–12 and higher education. Common job titles cited include:

• District Administrator
• Assistant Principal
• Principal
• Deputy Superintendent
• Superintendent

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program statement lists tuition at $767 per hour plus a $210 resource fee per term; students should plan financing accordingly and contact ACU for up-to-date tuition billing and available institutional aid. The site also references ACU’s broader Locked-In Tuition program (which applies to undergraduate pricing guarantees), so applicants should verify which tuition guarantees, scholarships or payment plans apply to graduate-level programs and explore departmental funding, external scholarships and employer reimbursement options.