Online Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision

Join the Next Generation of School Leaders

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, I consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

At a Glance

The online Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision equips you with the instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, strategic thinking, and organizational development skills needed to thrive as a school administrator or principal.

Designed with working educators in mind, the program offers the flexibility to balance your career and studies, and you can complete your degree in as few as 24 months.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

24+ months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 hours weekly

start dates

Fall & Spring

cost

Tuition and fees for the program are $25,920 based on a rate of $720 per credit hour. Books and additional materials are not included.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

About the Online Master of Education

The online master’s degree in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision is a 36-credit-hour program designed for aspiring education leaders who want to advance their careers without pausing their professional lives. You can complete the program in under two years while continuing to work full-time.

Alongside flexible online coursework, the program features a principal internship and a capstone experience. These hands-on components allow you to build leadership skills, apply school-based knowledge in real-world settings, and gain expertise supervising instruction across diverse educational environments.

What Can I Do with the Master of Education Online Degree?

This degree aligns with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards and provides the credentials required to apply for an administrator license in Oklahoma. It opens the door to a wide range of leadership roles in education, including:

Assistant Principal
Program Director, such as Athletic Director in a K–12 school district
Curriculum Coach

Principal
Instructional Coach
Curriculum Developer

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $104,070
Job Outlook: Employment for elementary, middle, and high school principals is expected to decline slightly by 1% by 2033
Job Openings: Despite declining employment, 20,800 openings for elementary, middle, and high school principals are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn

The online Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision prepares educators to step confidently into principalship and other leadership roles, guided by faculty with real-world experience.

Build the instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, strategic thinking, and organizational capacity needed to lead effectively
Learn how to drive instructional improvement and apply transformative leadership strategies that elevate student achievement
Graduate fully prepared to meet the challenges of leadership in today’s evolving educational landscape

Course Details

Coursework blends leadership theory with real-world application to prepare you to lead successful schools. The curriculum explores the history of U.S. education, financial and legal leadership, instructional improvement, educational technology, and transformational leadership strategies that drive student achievement.

Course Structure

You’ll earn 36 credit hours across 12 courses, taking one 8-week course at a time (2 courses back-to-back each semester). An accelerated option is also available for this program for individuals who start their program in the Fall semester, where you will take 3 courses each semester.

While not all courses have live sessions, for those that do, the expectation is that you should attach all live sessions that take place every semester. Attending live sessions in imperative to student’s success in each course. Live sessions typically take place Monday/Tuesday from 6-9 pm CT, but this subject to change because instructors can choose their own live session day/time each semester.

The Organization of Education

Credit Hours: 3
This course revolves around the organization of American schools, including: the history, relationships, functions, present status, and trends in local, state, and national education agencies; the places which professional educational associations, citizen's committees, and other influential groups have in relation to schools; the administrative hierarchy in schools and the special functions of each level; and the multicultural aspects of schooling in America.

Politics in Educational Administration

Credit Hours: 3
This course contains an overview of political activities at the local, state, and federal levels that will enhance the professional development of school administrators. Issues addressed include: micro-politics at the school site and district offices; superintendent and school board relations; lobbying legislators and dealing with interest groups; the state political process; federal aid; and analysis of current political controversies.

Technology in Educational Administration

Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the administrator the training in theory and application of computer concepts and the utilization of specific software programs and applications to enhance administrative decision making.

Practicum in Education

Credit Hours: 3
This practicum provides field-type experience under faculty supervision and is designed to introduce the student to the practical application of theory within an environment in which professional practice takes place. Seminar experience is to be included.

Principal Internship

Credit Hours: 3
The internship provides field experiences and clinical practice for candidates within the school building environment to synthesize and apply the content knowledge and develop professional skills learned. Candidates are provided opportunities to gain experiences in two or more types of school settings to practice a wide range of relevant school-based knowledge and leadership skills, as well as supervision of instruction.

Education and the Law

Credit Hours: 3
Legal framework of education in the United States; consideration of federal and state constitutional provisions, statutes, judicial decisions, and rules and regulations of the various federal and state agencies that affect education.

Financial Leadership in the Schools

Credit Hours: 3
This course is primarily for prospective building level educational leaders and includes a comprehensive overview of the effective management of fiscal resources in public schools.

School-Level Instructional Leadership

Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on school-level leadership in the areas of instructional and curriculum leadership. In the areas of instruction, the role of the principal is to develop the instructional capacity of teachers by developing human capital, enhancing the quality of teaching resources, and developing instructional cultures/climate to improve teaching and learning.

Inquiry for Performance Improvement

Credit Hours: 3
School administrators need to draw on knowledge and competencies related to the inquiry process; measurement and assessment; and data collection, analysis, and interpretation to lead continuous improvement. Inquiry for performance improvement is designed to develop the capacity of school leaders to manage effective performance by applying competencies of organizational research and development to the design and implementation of a balanced approach to performance management.

Supervision of Instruction

Credit Hours: 3
Focuses upon the clinical supervision of the classroom environment, instructional procedures, and the evaluation of teaching through the processes of observation and consultation. Participants develop control of the instrumentation and procedures, which enables them to gather, display, and interpret data relevant to the evaluation of classroom environments.

Principal Leadership

Credit Hours: 3
School leadership; effective schools; elementary and secondary administration; administration characteristics and responsibilities, including personnel, fiscal, facility organization governance, and evaluation.

School and Staff Development Management

Credit Hours: 3
Provides preparation in the development of technical and conceptual skills applicable to principals in their establishment of professional cultures in school environment(s). Topics will include: staff development; school climate variables; school imaging problems, strategies, and improvement models; student special interest programs and recognition procedures; and involving external groups in school improvement.

Why Choose OU Online for a Master of Education

Many school districts across the country are facing a critical shortage of administrators and principals. OU designed this high-quality, affordable program in a flexible online format to meet the growing demand for skilled education leaders—and to support full-time educators ready to take the next step in their careers.

Faculty Expertise

The Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision was developed in collaboration with local school districts and OU’s nationally recognized faculty. The program aligns with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards and includes field experience under expert faculty supervision.

Robust Student Support

OU Online provides comprehensive student support services, including academic assistance, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and access to a virtual career development center. The program is built to support working professionals, helping you grow your leadership skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni worldwide, becoming a Sooner connects you to a powerful network of education leaders. You’ll join a global community of professionals working across the education landscape, opening doors to new opportunities and accelerating your career.

Flexible Format

Because many teachers have demanding schedules during the school year, the program is designed for you to take just one course at a time during the spring and fall terms—an option not commonly offered in other master’s programs. The internship component is also intentionally flexible, allowing you to gain valuable leadership experience without stepping away from your classroom responsibilities.

Tailored Experience

The program connects you with leaders across the education field, giving you valuable opportunities to build your professional network beyond the classroom. During your internship, you will be mentored by experienced principals and OU faculty while gaining hands-on experience in at least two different school settings. This structure allows you to apply a broad range of school-based knowledge, strengthen your leadership skills, and develop expertise in instructional supervision.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your master’s degree in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision is an investment in your future, and OU Online is committed to making that investment as accessible and transparent as possible.

Students pay $720 per credit hour, bringing the total cost of the 36-credit-hour program to $25,920. Books and additional materials are not included.

Financial aid and scholarships may be available to help offset the cost. If you have questions about financial aid for your online program, please contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or 405-325-2929.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.

* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Transfer Credit

This program accepts a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate-level transfer credit per Graduate College policy and with approval of the department. You must submit official transcripts and a copy of the syllabus for each course you are interested in transferring.

Take the Next Step

Admission to the online Master of Education in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision is competitive. To be considered, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or have completed previous graduate-level coursework that meets the standards of the admissions committee.

Application Process

Complete the online application at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
Submit a current resume
Submit transcripts
- NOTE: unofficial transcripts can be provided for an admissions decision, but all official transcripts must be provided by all institutions where the student earned graduate credit or are degree-bearing (bachelor's and above).
Submit responses to six essay questions, listed below

Please respond to the following prompts, approximately 2-3 paragraphs per response:

What is meant by ‘vision’ in the context of a learning organization (such as a school), and how might a building leader (such as a principal) nurture the development of such a vision?
Describe how a building leader might promote a positive school culture that would support an effective instructional program.
What is your view of the links between organization, operations, and resources and the success of the school as a learning organization?
Do you think that collaboration between the school community and the larger community is becoming increasingly important? Why or why not?
Discuss the importance of an educational leader’s personal and/or professional code of ethics.
How critical is the need for a building-level administrator to understand the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context in which the educational organization operates?

After Admission:

Background Check OU requires students to have a background check since there is a Principal internship that works with students. It is required from all students, even if they have completed a background check at their current school. OU's legal team needs to complete one separately. Students must have it filled out before the first day of class and returned before the add drop date. Why is there a Background Check? A requirement of the program is a Principal Internship in which they must work in a school. A background check is required of all students since they will be working in a school with children.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee operates under a rolling admissions process, and admissions may continue until two weeks before the start of classes. A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, official transcripts, and essay responses.