Education Administration, K-12

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Our M.S.Ed. in Education Administration, K-12 program will prepare you to become an educational leader who exhibits the knowledge, skills, dispositions and ethics that promote equity and excellence for all students in a culturally diverse, technologically complex and global community.

Many of our alumni become school principals or administrations or hold educational leadership roles in school districts or local community organizations.

Our coursework is designed for participants to develop cognitive and affective skills in administration, leadership, management, supervision, instruction and curriculum in the following knowledge areas:

  • Future-focused Strategic Planning and Visioning
  • Culturally Responsive Leadership in Service to and Collaboration with the School Community
  • Creative and Personalized Instructional Practices
  • Direct and Collaborative Supervisory Strategies
  • Policy, Law and Advocacy Knowledge
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Planning
  • Sustained and Supported Internships

You can achieve your degree and comprehensive Pennsylvania principal certificate in 30 credits. This program will offer you the flexibility of on-campus, online or hybrid instruction. 

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Program Information

Our M.S.Ed. in Education Administration, K-12 program will prepare you to become an educational leader who exhibits the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and ethics that promote equity and excellence for all students for a culturally diverse, technologically complex, and global community.

Degree

Master's

Academic Department

Educational Foundations and Leadership

Duration

1.5-years

Required Credit Hours

30

Student & Alumni Perspectives

Photo of Education Administration graduate student Sgt. Frank Cortazzo in work gear outside on campus handing out candy at event with police car and campus building behind him

I’m looking to go back to my first love, which was education. When I started class, I thought it might interfere with my work and school board responsibilities....I found that it’s enhanced everything.

Sgt. Frank Cortazzo M.S.Ed. Education Administration, K-12 '25
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Photo of M.S.Ed. Education Administration graduate Amber DiMaria in graduate regalia holding diploma smiling on commencement day with walll with Duquesne colors and parts of letter behind her

The Education Administration program has helped me to identify my role as a leader & cultivator of change to best serve as an advocate to the community in which I serve. It is not just about the what we are doing for each & every learner, but also how we are working together to support our families, community, partnerships & stakeholders.

Amber DiMaria B.S.Ed. Secondary Education '24 | M.S.Ed. Education Administration '24
Aaron Felder

They taught me how to approach school and approach each student on a daily basis…my mentorship helped me extensively...Duquesne has a great program with faculty who are interested in you succeeding.

Aaron Felder M.S.Ed. Education Administration '16
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Great Education, Great Value

1.5Years

You can complete our M.S.Ed. program in just 1.5 years. We offer targeted coursework and hands-on field experiences to equip you to make an impact.

25%Tuition Award

Eligible students enrolled in our program can receive a 25% Tuition Award

CourseFlexibility

Our program offers you flexible study with online and in-person options so you can balance priorities in your life as you pursue your academic goals and career advancement.

 

Curriculum

Our program is designed for students seeking an M.S.Ed. in Education Administration K-12 and/or Pennsylvania's Comprehensive Principal Certification. Coursework involves 30 semester hours. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires each candidate to have completed three years of professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process and earned a passing score on the School Leadership Licensure Assessment Praxis Test (6990). Additionally, the principal candidate is required to participate in authentic simulations, internship, field and practicum experiences that include, at minimum, 360 hours, split between the elementary, middle, and secondary school in the urban, suburban and rural contexts.
  • GADS 547 Advanced Theories and Strategies in Curriculum, Instruction, and Digital Learning (3 credits)
  • GADS 557 Supervision and Performance Evaluation of the Teaching/Learning System (3 credits)
  • GADS 574 Pupil Personnel Administration and Restorative Practices (3 credits)
  • GADS 575 Middle Level School Practice, Organization and Personalized Learning (3 credits)
  • GADS 671 Elementary School Administration, Management and Finance (3 credits)
  • GADS 675 Secondary School Administration, Management and Finance (3 credits)
  • GADS 681 Educational Law, Ethics, and Advocacy (3 credits)
  • GADS 700 Orientation to Educational Leadership and Practice for Improvement (3 credits)
  • GADS 702 Principal Field Experience II (1 credit)
  • GADS 703 Administration and Practice (2 credits)
  • GREV 500 Statistics in Behavioral Research and Data Informed Leadership (3 credits)

Total credits for the M.S.Ed.: 30 credits

 

Application Process

Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA*

Graduates with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, university, or seminary and a teaching certificate will be considered for admission.

Admission decisions are based primarily on the applicant's previous academic record as shown by official transcripts.

*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency. MAT scores may be required if GPA is below 3.0.

International Applicants

TOEFL/IELTS

Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university outside of the United States..

Transcript Credit Evaluation

If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Rolling Admissions

Our M.S.Ed. Education Administration program, K-12 has a rolling admissions process. This means you can apply anytime throughout the year.

Required Documents

  • Graduate Application 
  • Official transcripts from accredited college, university or seminary
    • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended, sent directly from the institution. We are unable to accept transcripts sent directly from applicants.
    • International applicants, please see the Transcript Credential Evaluation section in the Admission Requirements section above
  • Resume that documents competence and effectiveness in professional work
  • One Letter of Recommendation prior to acceptance
    • Name and email address of recommender is needed
    • Recommender will receive an email prompting them to upload their recommendation for the applicant
    • Recommendation must be from individual who can speak about the applicant's academic/professional abilities (i.e. administrator/supervisor recommendation)
    • Note: Family, friends and professional colleagues are not acceptable references

Admission Procedure

After the application for admission and transcripts have been favorably reviewed by faculty, the Graduate Office will send you an official notification of admission to graduate study.

 

Early Start Program - Education Administration, K-12, M.S.Ed.

Our M.S.Ed. Education Administration, K-12 program offers an early start option for School of Education undergraduate students. During your junior or senior year, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program at the undergraduate tuition rate. 

Connect with us to learn more and we will walk you through the application process. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.

Featured content

Headshot of Dr. Serenka outside with trees in background

Our Program Director

Dr. Fran Serenka is a leading practitioner-scholar in the areas of education leadership, administration, and supervision. She directs the Educational Administration and Supervision Programs preparing principals, supervisors, and superintendents for their work in schools. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Leadership Development Center offering professional development for educational leaders in the areas of customized learning, innovation, and collaboration helping organizations implement the most effective leadership practices.

Accreditation

CAEP accreditation nationally recognizes quality in educator preparation. This signifies that our students are well-equipped to meet the needs of PreK-12 students as well as their communities and schools.

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Tiffany Smith

Assistant to the Program Director