A Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership will provide unique opportunities to work with teachers, parents, students and public policymakers to effect consistent improvement in the quality of education and the education system.
Modality
Program Overview for MEd in Educational Leadership
The Educational Leadership Master’s degree prepares caring, ethical and highly qualified leaders to work in PreK-12 settings.
The program is based on standards upheld by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council. The Master’s in Educational Leadership is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and follows this organization’s Professional Standards for Administrators.
This program consists of remote classes (Zoom) and online (asynchronous) classes. Additionally, there are some optional on-campus classes offered at our Boston location.
Program Highlights for Educational Leadership MEd
The Master’s in Educational Leadership offers a range of educational and professional advancement opportunities depending on your goals and experience.
The degree supports career advancement for currently licensed practitioners in PreK-12 settings who have at least three years of employment in a Massachusetts-approved school or district. The principal/assistant principal license (PreK-8 or 5-12 grade levels) is for those seeking to lead schools. The non-licensure option is designed for seasoned professionals who are interested in middle management positions in schools or educational settings or agencies that do not require the Massachusetts license.
Graduates of the program will be prepared with the skills and training to:
- Create a physically and emotionally safe school environment
- Ensure that curricula are high quality, standards-aligned, rigorous and culturally responsive
- Build a professional culture that reflects practice, high expectations and continuous improvement of skillfully implemented curricula that exhibit evidence-based teaching and learning
- Engage school communities including teachers, parents, district leaders and community partners in ways supportive of the school’s mission
- Effectively implement plans, policies, procedures, routines, budgets and operating systems that are inclusive and bias-free, including technology for students of all backgrounds, and addressing the full range of safety, health and social-emotional needs of students
Why Choose Cambridge College for Your MEd
Through the guidance of your program chair, seminar leaders, faculty, and licensed practitioners in schools within Massachusetts, candidates for the Master’s in Educational Leadership learn first-hand how to engage in professional site-based leadership.
- Hands-on training and professional development: Licensure students will engage in a 500-hour Principal/Assistant Principal Practicum, while non-licensure students will complete the Professional Seminar and Independent Learning Project. Effective leadership is further evidenced through written reflections, key assessments, tasks assigned and field experiences documented in an electronic portfolio and submitted via TaskStream.
- Licensure preparation: This program satisfies Massachusetts licensure requirements, based on current regulations. If you have any questions about the requirements, please speak to the program chair.
- Flexible class options: With day, evening and weekend class options designed for working professionals, you can pursue your Master’s in Educational Leadership on a schedule that fits your life. The program is taught through a mix of scheduled remote (Zoom) classes and self-paced online (asynchronous) sessions to give you flexibility in class formats. Some options exist for on-campus classes.
- Convenient location: When offered, you may choose to attend some classes at our Boston campus which offers free parking for students and is a 5-minute walk from the Orange Line.
- Experienced faculty: Cambridge College faculty bring diverse educational leadership research experience to the program and work closely with students as teachers and mentors.
- Diverse experiences: Ranked as one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in America, Cambridge College gives you the opportunity to work with other adult learners from all over the world, enriching your educational experience in the process.
Educational Leadership MEd Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Courses
The Educational Leadership Master’s degree program at Cambridge College features classes such as:
- Legal Aspects of School Administration
- Organizational Change for School Leaders
- Contemporary Issues and Topics in Educational Administration
- Selection, Development, and Supervision of Educational Personnel
- Leading Anti-Racist Schools
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Principal/Assistant Principal License: Three full years of employment in an executive management/leadership role or in a supervisor, teaching or administrative role in a public school, private school, higher education or other educational setting accepted by ESE. The required employment must be documented by official letter(s) from a supervisor or human resources director.
Evidence of successful completion of the MA Communications and Literacy (MTEL) test and GPA requirement are required for program entry. If the MTEL is not available, students seeking licensure must first matriculate into the non-licensure pathway, then complete a Change of Academic Program signed by the program chair and dean, once this requirement is met. Evidence of current license as a practitioner in a Massachusetts approved school or district is also required.
Careers in Educational Leadership
Earning your Master’s degree in Educational Leadership opens doors to both building and district leadership and typically, a salary increase. For example, the average salary for education administrators in the U.S. was $99,870,1 while education elementary teachers earned an average of $68,000 per year.2
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary, middle school and high school principals working in Boston, Massachusetts, earn an average of $117,980 per year.3 Boston is one of the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest level of employment for this occupation.
$99,870
Mean annual salary for education administrators in the U.S.1
$117,980
Average salary for elementary, middle school and high school principals working in Boston, Massachusetts3
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 11-9039 Education Administrators, All Other, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119039.htm (visited December 28, 2023).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 25-2021 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm (visited December 28, 2023).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 11-9032 Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119032.htm#st (visited December 28, 2023).
Jobs in Educational Leadership
Graduates typically pursue leadership or policy-related positions in PreK-12 schools.
Those in the principal/assistant principal option typically become school leaders or pursue management positions in education-related organizations and agencies. Those in the non-licensure option assume middle management positions in public schools or lead private or charter schools. They may later return to pursue licensure through the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) program in Educational Leadership to further advance in public schools and districts.
Faculty Spotlight
David L. Flynn
PhD, MA, MEd, BS
Program Coordinator, Educational Leadership and Senior Instructor
David L. Flynn Ph.D. is a Massachusetts educator who has served in both the public and private sectors of the profession. He began his career as an English teacher at both the high school and middle school levels and moved on to administrative positions, working as a high school principal in two communities. He also served as a school superintendent in Marlborough, MA for thirteen years. He was subsequently employed by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as the Director of the...
Rebecca Gordon
MEd, CAGS
Adjunct Professor
Rebecca Gordon serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education & Counseling within the Division of Education. With a wealth of experience, Rebecca is a dedicated educator and leader known for creating inclusive environments that foster significant student growth. Her skills extend to effective administration, communication, writing, and advocacy for students. She is celebrated for her innovative approach that inspires both students and staff to achieve their full potential...