Online Master of Science in Educational Administration - K-12 Principal Certification

MsEd K-12 Principal Certification

Graduate from Classroom Leadership to School Leadership

As an experienced classroom teacher, you probably see opportunities for growth and development in your school community. At Gwynedd Mercy University, you can equip yourself with the skills and knowledge you need to make your vision of success a reality.
Our 30-credit online Master of Science in Educational Administration — K-12 Principal Certification can prepare you to take on the challenges facing today’s educational leaders.
This program can prepare you to earn your Administrative I Certification in Pennsylvania.

See Program Details

Program begins
Fall 2025

Format
100% online, asynchronous

Program length
about 23 months

Model
Complete one course at a time in 7-week accelerated sessions (with one-week breaks between courses)

Benefits
Advance your career and earning potential

Alumni savings
10% tuition grant for GMercyU grads

The GMercyU Difference

The MS in Educational Administration features comprehensive professional preparation for the next phase of your educational career. You’ll develop practical managerial skills that will help you nurture talent in your teachers and staff. You’ll gain insight into issues of school finance, law, and community relations. You’ll also explore the social, political, and economic issues that influence the course of public education in the United States. Finally, you’ll undertake an in-person professional practicum experience (in your school/district where you are employed) under the guidance of GMercyU faculty and a mentor administrator.

Courses are delivered one at a time in seven-week blocks. With GMercyU, you can prepare for the challenges of school leadership without disrupting your busy schedule.

*Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.

The online MS in Educational Administration extends the leadership skills you’ve developed as a teacher and staff member for school management. While pursuing this degree, you will hone your ability to deliver professional presentations, perform research, and write for a variety of audiences. After graduation, you should be prepared to continue with self-directed professional development and evaluation of new educational research.
 

As a GMercyU graduate, you will be able to:

  • Think and plan strategically to create an organizational vision focused on student success and communicate the vision to all relevant stakeholders
  • Create an organizational culture of teaching and learning in which student learning is paramount
  • Manage resources effectively to bring about desired results
  • Collaborate, communicate and empower others inside and outside the organization to pursue excellence in learning
  • Operate fairly and equitably exhibiting personal and professional integrity

Upon completing this program, you will be prepared to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment in the School Leadership Test Series to earn your Administrative I Certificate.

At GMercyU, we select faculty members whose achievements inspire us. Our professors bring direct school experience, advanced research backgrounds, and a passion for teaching to your classroom. Their insights and mentorship will help you effectively create a safe, productive learning environment for all of your students.

Upon graduation, you and your classmates will join our extensive network of alumni. The colleagues, contacts, and friends you'll find in this leadership community will inspire you throughout the rest of your career. 

The online MS in Educational Administration consists of 30 credits. In less than two years, after successfully passing these courses, you may apply to take any required certification exams to obtain your certification as a principal in Pennsylvania.

Please note that, per Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, you must have at least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience with an Instructional I Certification before you can obtain Principal Certification. You will need to have at least one year of experience when you begin your master’s degree in order to meet this requirement at graduation.

Educational Administration – 18 Credits​

EDU 570 Research Skills for School Leadership
EDU 574  School Law and Policy Issues
EDU 576 Human Resources and Staff Development
EDU 579  Current Issues in Education
EDU 593 Seminar in Educational Lead/Superv/Equity
EDU 595  Practicum I: Leadership in Supervision & School Administration

Concentration in Educational Administration - 12 credits

EDU 571 The Principalship
EDU 573 School-Community Relations
EDU 577 School Resources Management
EDU 596 Practicum II: K-12 Principalship

 To review course descriptions, please refer to the graduate catalog.

Curriculums for all education programs at Gwynedd Mercy University are subject to change pending program specific competency changes in certification by the PA Department of Education. New regulations in 22 PA Code Chapter 49 may result in changes for teacher education programs at Gwynedd Mercy University.

To qualify for admission to Master's in Educational Administration, you must provide:

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts from every college or university attended.
  • Completed application form
  • A completed Disposition Questionnaire (PDF)
  • A professional reference from a superior/supervisor submitted via their email address
  • Professional resume
  • Two completed supervisory reference forms
  • A minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination (non-US applications only).
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates with a GPA lower than 3.0 are encouraged to apply and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
  • Personal interviews may be required as needed.
  • Academic Instructional teaching experience.

What You Can Do With a Master’s in Educational Administration
GMercyU’s Master of Science in Educational Administration teaches the skills you need to become certified as a principal in Pennsylvania. After graduation, you should be equipped to pursue leadership roles including principal, vice or assistant principal, chief academic officer (charter schools), headmaster (independent schools), and more.

*Please note: If you teach in another state, you should confirm with your department of education that our program meets its requirements.

Learn more about how you can prepare for a future as a principal with our innovative online Masters in Educational Administration degree program.

Call 833-588-5953 or email accelerate@gmercyu.edu to contact an admissions counselor. You also can also request more information today!