M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Higher Education Leadership Focus
32
Credit Hours
12
Month Completion
Class Type
Next Start Date
Jan 6, 2025
Placement Tests
GMAT/GRE not required for admission

Lead in higher education with an online master of education degree

Create the ideal environments and opportunities to maximize student achievement with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership with a focus in Higher Education Leadership. In this theory-to-practice program, aligned with National Educational Leadership Preparation Program standards, you’ll learn how to lead and manage the culture, people and programs that support the development and well-being of learners. With Franklin’s streamlined 12-month, 100% online program, you’ll gain the knowledge to help you excel as an effective higher education leader.

Program Availability

On Site

12-Month Completion

Earn your M.Ed. and qualify for leadership roles faster.

$2,000 Smart Start Scholarship

New students in the M.Ed. program qualify for an automatic $2,000 scholarship.

Tailored to Fit Your Life

Focus on one class at a time.

Real-World Practitioners

Learn from experienced, in-field education professionals.

100% Online Coursework

Balance earning your degree with other work-life commitments.

Program Overview

Develop and maintain a student affairs culture that fosters learning and development

The focus area course provides a deep dive into student affairs theory and practice. The broadest and most critical area of a college and university, student affairs bridges academic and administrative departments providing the potential for a multitude of touchpoints with each student over the course of the college experience. In order to help students gain and articulate transferable skills through experiences inside and outside of the classroom, the quality of learner interactions with systems and structures ultimately impacts student achievement. 
 
You’ll learn how to define student affairs as a profession and how mission, governance and culture impact the delivery of services to students. You’ll be prepared to analyze how finances influence action and articulate strategies to manage legal liability and risk. You will also learn strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners and how to collaborate with stakeholders to define services and create environments that enhance student learning and development.  

Earn an applied master of education degree that sets you up for success

Choosing Franklin for your M.Ed. is a win-win. The M.Ed. is an applied degree, which means that it’s designed to help you impact your day-to-day work. What you learn is able to be applied to real-world situations in real time. No delayed ROI here.

In addition, by choosing Franklin, a University that’s catered to ambitious adults for 120 years, you’ll learn alongside classmates who are also working professionals in K-12 education, at community and technical colleges and at four-year colleges and universities across the country. In addition to mirroring cross-functional workplace collaboration scenarios, the interdisciplinary nature of the program layers in additional peer-to-peer learning opportunities. 

Get a theory-to-practice perspective on leadership in education

With curriculum aligned to National Educational Leadership Preparation Program (NELP) Recognition Standards and taught by faculty who are in-field practitioners, you’ll get both the what and the how of effective education leadership. 

While you’ll also have ample opportunities – including the capstone project – to delve deeply into your own experiences and incorporate them into your coursework, the broad scope of the degree program enables you to be conversant with functional area specialists in order to lead effectively.  
 

Read more >

Future Start Dates

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Spring 2025
January
6
Recommended Register By:
Dec 27
Summer 2025
May
19
Recommended Register By:
May 9
Fall 2025
August
18
Recommended Register By:
Aug 8
Spring 2026
January
5
Recommended Register By:
Dec 26
Summer 2026
May
18
Recommended Register By:
May 8
Fall 2026
August
17
Recommended Register By:
Aug 7

Your Best Value Master of Education

Choose Franklin's Master of Education and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget.

Competitive Tuition

$670
PER CREDIT HOUR

Competitive tuition rates provide value and quality.

Smart Start Scholarship

$21,440
Total Tuition
$2,000
Automatic Scholarship
$19,440
Tuition with Scholarship

Franklin’s competitive tuition rate and our Smart Start Scholarship puts your degree within reach.

Take One Class at a Time

Balance your education with your life.

Finish Fast

12
MONTHS TO COMPLETE

Realize your career goals sooner.

Tuition Guarantee

Inflation-proof your degree cost by locking-in your tuition rate from day one through graduation.

Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

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Courses & Curriculum

Major Area Required
EDUC 610 - Principles of Educational Leadership (4)

This course focuses on the development of the skills and knowledge required to meet the day-to-day decisions and problems that confront educational leaders to include relationships among local, state, and federal agencies as well as families, community members, and school personnel.

EDUC 611 - Leadership Theory (4)

This course is an introduction to school administration, including the theoretical and historical development of school administration as an academic discipline, an examination of organizational behavior and theory, an exploration of political and legal structures which impact schools and school administration, and the development of the concepts and practices associated with successful leadership and decision making. The course will explore the challenge for both aspiring and veteran school leaders to create a community of shared commitment, responsibility, and accountability designed to serve the learning of the adults and the children in the school?a sustainable, professional learning community.

EDUC 612 - Ethics, Laws, and Values in Education (4)

This course explores human ethics within educational foundations. It assists learners to reflect on their own experiences to develop humane values of self-determination and self-realization, and social and individual empowerment. The course addresses the legal and political underpinnings of schooling in a globalizing and postmodern world, providing an overview of major issues in school law, to include U.S. Supreme Court decisions as well as relevant state and federal lower court opinions.

EDUC 614 - Educational Research & Program Evaluation (4)

This course prepares learners to gain an introductory understanding of educational research methodologies as well as their impact on rigorous program evaluation. This course examines the ethical considerations when conducting educational research, how previous peer-reviewed studies can inform future programmatic action, and the role that theoretical and empirical research should shape a school leader?s selected methodology.

EDUC 615 - Critical Issues in Education & Community Relations (4)

This course examines current and emerging issues and trends impacting education: inquiring into demographic shifts; globalization; technology, data-based decision-making; inclusion of diverse learners in American schools; and recent research on student achievement when influenced by race, gender, and poverty. Additionally, the issues and responsibilities related to understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural contexts as they impact the school community.

EDUC 617 - Capstone (4)

This capstone course is designed to complete an action research project that positively impacts the educational environment, reflect on the impact and changes that result, and inform others about what has been learned through this process.

Focus Area

Higher Education Leadership:

EDUC 616 - Introduction to Student Affairs (4)

The purpose of this course is to provide a survey and overview of student affairs theory and practice. It introduces learners to the foundational philosophies of the profession, examines the integration of student affairs functions and administrators in higher education, explores the variety of roles student affairs professionals play on college campuses, and seeks to develop an understanding of institutional cultures and the professional's role within those cultures. These objectives will be explored within the context of examining the central role student affairs plays in helping students gain and articulate transferable skills gained through experiences outside of the classroom.

EDUC 625 - Curriculum Leadership in Higher Education (4)

This course will examine curriculum leadership in higher education. Students will learn foundations of curriculum in U.S. Colleges and Universities, curriculum design principles, frameworks, processes and curriculum mapping. Students will also learn the techniques for evaluating a curriculum and proper instructional alignment.

OR

K-12 Building Level Leadership:

EDUC 618 - Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms (4)

This course covers curriculum and intervention strategies for working with children in a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive culture within the educational environment. Learners will use their observation, assessment and communication skills to meet the individualized needs of children in inclusive environments. Includes the role of the teacher as a professional working with families, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and cultural competence.

EDUC 613 - Leading Curricular & Instructional Alignment in K-12 Education (4)

This course will focus on the tools that educators need to achieve deep alignment. Effective curriculum design and deep alignment are critical factors in maximizing student achievement. The purpose of the course is to strengthen the knowledge and skills of learners as instructional designers and managers by evaluating models for managing curriculum as they identify and research current and emerging issues in curriculum.

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Higher Education Leadership Focus Program Details

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Employment Outlook

15%

From 2022-2032, jobs in Education are expected to increase by 15%

Occupation Median Salary (2022) Job Postings (2022) Projected Growth (2022-2032)
Occupation
Education Administrators, Postsecondary $99,944 94,121 12%
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Median Salary: $99,944
Job Postings: 94,121
Projected Growth: 12%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Education Administrators, Postsecondary plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Directors of Admissions15,53517%
Registrars9,09410%
Admissions Representatives17,32218%
Admissions Counselors6,5827%
Deans of Students3,9684%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Student Services34,79920%
Marketing28,98716%
Project Management16,4869%
Higher Education13,0227%
Auditing12,1287%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Education and Hospitals (State Government)48%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools40%
Education and Hospitals (Local Government)9%
Technical and Trade Schools2%
Junior Colleges1%
Educational Support Services0%
Other1%
Postsecondary Teachers $79,421 134,837 15%
Postsecondary Teachers
Median Salary: $79,421
Job Postings: 134,837
Projected Growth: 15%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Postsecondary Teachers aggregate category equivalent to SOC group 25-1000. Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in their specialized field of study. Include both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of both teaching and research. Alternate titles: College Professor.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Adjunct Faculties22,30817%
Adjunct Instructors14,17711%
Instructors11,3028%
Assistant/Associate Professors7,3375%
Assistant Professors11,8509%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Curriculum Development39,66611%
Nursing35,38210%
Pedagogy20,2086%
Learning Management Systems19,5046%
Biology18,8765%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Education and Hospitals (State Government)45%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools35%
Education and Hospitals (Local Government)15%
Technical and Trade Schools2%
Junior Colleges1%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals1%
Other2%

Source: Employment Outlook data is provided by Lightcast. Franklin University cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Education Leadership Knowledge & Skillsets

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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