Online Master's Degree Courses in Educational Leadership

Program Information

The Educational Leadership Masters Online degree is a comprehensive program that provides educators and other management personnel with the knowledge needed to become an exceptional leader in times of school change. This program is designed primarily to meet the needs and challenges of individuals/professional educators who are practicing and aspiring educational leaders in K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning. Other professionals who hold, or aspire to, leadership positions in human and community service agencies locally, nationally, and internationally may also find the program relevant to their career growth.

Bridgewater State University is one of the nine NCATE approved institutions in the commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides graduate-level programs in educational leadership. The program can also lead to licensure in 5 administrative areas:

  • Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
  • Principal/Assistant Principal
  • Special Education Administrator
  • Supervisor/Director
  • School Business Administrator

Please Note: Students are only endorsed for Administrator License in the state of Massachusetts.

Program Objective:

  • Provide aspiring school and public service leaders the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet state licensure requirements
  • Enable current and prospective school leaders to acquire useful and thought provoking professional development at a convenient time without travel.
  • Respond to the national and international pool of leaders who are well qualified to meet current and future challenges of schools and society in the twenty first century.

Bridgewater State University is committed to playing a key role in the economic and social development of the southeastern region of Massachusetts and beyond by educating professionals who are are prepared to transform educational institutions through the creation of professional learning communities. The changes in today's societies demand leaders who have an informed, multidisciplinary and diverse perspective on the schools and public agencies  viewing them as learning organizations and can demonstrate the knowledge and skills that promote equity for all learners and stakeholders using data driven decision making skills that foster collaboration and community partnerships.

The program consists of 12 required courses (36 credits), allowing you to complete the program in two years. There are two courses offered each semester. The requirements and instructors for the online courses are identical to the on-campus and off-campus courses. For additional information on admission requirements please contact the School of Graduate Studies at 508-531-1300

Upon successful completion of this program, students will have gained new knowledge and enlightened perspectives about general school leadership, comprehensive instructional and curriculum leadership, school finance, school law, organizational behavior, selection and development of educational personnel, and much more.

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Application Procedures

Professionals in the education, human and community service agencies wishing to apply to the Online Masters in Educational Leadership can do so by sending an email request to gradschool@bridgew.edu or mbuonanduci@bridgew.edu or by calling 508-531-1493.

Students are allowed to take up to three courses (9 credits) before matriculating into the program. The following requirements must be met for acceptance into the program:

  • Must hold a bachelor's degree from a 4-year institution of acceptable standing. (College seniors may be admitted on a conditional basis, pending receipt of their degree).
  • Please forward all official undergraduate transcripts with minimum GPA of 2.75 based upon four years of work or 3.0 undergraduate based upon work completed during junior and senior year directly to the School of Graduate Studies office. Transcripts of work done at Bridgewater State University should be requested through the Office of Student Records and Registration. Please note that you must notify the School of Graduate Studies office if your transcript(s) shows a name different from that on your application (i.e. maiden name).
  • Three appropriate "Letters of Recommendation" using our School of  Graduate Studies forms.
  • Candidates seeking Licensure from the State of Massachusetts must provide evidence of initial teacher license, three years of experience teaching at the time of endorsement and qualifying score of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
  • Non-Licensure Candidates must provide GRE scores that have been taken within the 5 years with a composite score of 900 on the quantitative and verbal parts of the GRE general test.
  • Candidates from countries where English is not an official language must provide scores from TOEFL examination. Ordinarily, only students with TOEFL scores of 213 (computer-based total) or better will be considered.

Candidates may take the examination at Bridgewater State University Testing Center. For more information or to schedule a test, call 508-531-1780.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?
Students must apply with the School of Graduate Studies. You can contact the School of Graduate Studies via email at gradschool@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508-531-1300.

When is the deadline to apply?
Admission to the Master's Program follows the School of Graduate Studies application deadlines:

  • October 1 for spring semester admission

  • February 1 for summer semester admission

  • April 1 for fall semester admission

All materials for admission must be submitted at least 6 weeks before that semester begins in order to allow for processing and for the School of Education and Allied Studies to act on your application. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, however.

How many credits can I transfer into the program?
A maximum of three courses, for a total of six credits, may be taken prior to being officially accepted. No greater than six credits can be transferred from another college or university upon approval of the Bridgewater State University department coordinator. You must complete and submit an academic petition to transfer credits and send a copy of the syllabus or catalog description along with official transcripts showing grades earned in the course. Courses taken as part of another degree or diploma program are not eligible for transfer. Petition to transfer is only considered after matriculation in the program.

Is there a recommended sequence of courses?
Two courses are recommended per semester including the summer. Initial courses by program are:
 
LEAD-PB    EDLE 510 and EDLE 569
LEAD-PM   EDLE 670 and EDLE 669
MED           EDLE 510 and EDLE 530
CAGS         EDLE 670 and EDLE 675
 
As students seeking licensure in the State of Massachusetts complete the pre-practicum courses (EDLE 510/670, EDLE 569/669, EDLE 578/678, EDLE 564/664 OR EDLE 565/665), they are to contact the program coordinator to set up their practicum schedule, or send an email request to mbuonanduci@bridgew.edu. Students will be assigned a college supervisor who will supervise a 6-credit practicum in the student's place of employment or another educational setting of their choosing. The practicum extends over two semesters (LEAD students complete practicum in one semester).

Can I take all my courses online?
The entire 36 credit program may be completed online. However, when a student misses a scheduled online class because of medical or other family related problems, he/she will have to take the course on campus or wait till the next time that the course is offered online.

What type of computer software is required?
Access to the internet via Internet Explorer. You will need a Bridgewater State University Network Access which will be provided to you after registering for your first class. For network problems, contact the Bridgewater State University helpdesk at 508-531-2555.

Do I need to be certified to enter this program?
Certification requirements are based on the license that you are seeking. Please contact the program coordinator at beyemaro@bridgew.edu or via telephone at 508-531-1493 to discuss your eligibility based on other management or other school related experience.

May I enroll in this program if I don't want to be a principal?
Yes, the program can be taken by candidates in human and community service agencies as well as professionals who are currently employed in institutions of higher education.

I am certified and live outside Massachusetts. Is this program recognized by my state?
Each state education agency has its own licensure regulations. You are advised to consult with your local department of educator licensing to ensure that the coursework fulfils the certification requirements and to determine if there are any additional requirements. However, candidates can enroll in a one semester residency practicum to be done in the state of Massachusetts in order to be certified as an administrator in Massachusetts. Our NCATE accreditation provides reciprocity with all other states.

How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?
The program takes a total of 6 semesters (two years) with two courses per semester and 6 courses a year to complete. For candidates seeking licensure, the practicum will be taken over two semesters. Students have the option of finishing early once they apply for a waiver to take courses on campus or any of our off-campus cohorts. Please contact the program coordinator for all other courses offerings.

What is the cost of the program? Is financial aid available?
The current cost per three-credit course at Bridgewater is $968.60 (subject to change). Financial aid is available for matriculated students enrolled in 6 or more credits per Fall or Spring semester. You may contact the Financial aid office at www.bridgew.edu/financialaid/ or at 508-531-1341.

What if I have additional questions?
You may contact the program coordinator at 508-531-1493 or via email at beyemaro@bridgew.edu. 

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Last Modified: October 27, 2010