University of North Dakota

What you'll study

This programme focuses on the knowledge and skills required to lead schools and educational programmes. Core topics typically include leadership theory and ethics, school law, finance and budgeting, personnel administration and human resources, curriculum design and assessment, data-driven decision making, and community relations. Research methods and educational policy are usually part of the curriculum to develop practitioners who can interpret evidence and lead improvement initiatives.

Students normally complete a combination of taught modules and applied experiences. Typical modules and learning experiences include:

• Educational Leadership and Organisational Theory — models of school leadership, change management and ethical decision making.
• School Law and Policy — legal foundations for K–12 education, pupil rights, staff employment law and compliance issues.
• School Finance and Resource Management — budgeting, funding sources, facilities and fiscal stewardship.
• Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment — curriculum development, instructional leadership, standards-based assessment and accountability systems.
• Human Resource Administration — hiring, evaluation, professional development and labour relations.
• Research Methods and Data Use — quantitative and qualitative methods, program evaluation and use of data to inform school improvement.
• Practicum/Internship in Educational Administration — supervised administrative field experience in a school or district setting, often required for licensure or endorsement.

The programme may be offered in face-to-face, hybrid or online formats to accommodate working professionals and frequently includes a culminating project or thesis option, depending on the chosen pathway.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and to have professional experience in education. Typical admissions expectations include:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in education or a related field; some applicants enter from adjacent professions with appropriate experience.
• Current teaching certification or licence is commonly required for those seeking school leadership licensure; non-licensed candidates should check specific pathway options.
• Professional experience in K–12 settings; many candidates have several years of classroom or other educational experience.
• A minimum undergraduate GPA as specified by the programme; additional requirements such as references, a personal statement or résumé/CV are usually requested.
• Some applicants may be asked to provide letters of recommendation and evidence of leadership potential; entrance interviews or assessments may be used in certain admission routes.

Applicants should consult the programme admissions page or contact the College of Education for precise documentation requirements and advice on licensure-specific pathways.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across K–12 education and related organisations. Common career destinations include:

• School principal or assistant principal (building-level leadership)
• District administrator or director of curriculum, instruction and assessment
• Human resources or personnel administrator for school districts
• Instructional coach, professional development coordinator or curriculum specialist
• School business manager or finance-related administrative roles
• Pathways to superintendent roles or central-office leadership (often requiring additional endorsement or licensure)

Beyond district employment, graduates can move into educational consulting, non-profit leadership, policy roles or higher education positions related to teacher preparation and leadership development.

Why study at University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota’s education programmes are delivered through a college with long experience working with rural and urban school systems across the region. The programme emphasises applied leadership with strong ties to local districts, providing supervised practicum placements and opportunities to work on real-world school improvement projects.

Students benefit from faculty who combine scholarly expertise with practical administrative experience, flexible delivery formats to suit working educators, and support for licensure and endorsement processes relevant to state requirements. The university’s partnerships with area schools and emphasis on research-informed practice help graduates transition into leadership positions and advance their careers in education.