Hawai‘i Pacific University Master of Education in Educational Leadership | OnlineHawai‘i Pacific University Master of Education in Educational Leadership | OnlineHawai‘i Pacific University Master of Education in Educational Leadership | Online

Bring about the change your school, organization, or higher ed institution deserves. Grow into a more reflective, socially responsible, and tech-savvy educational leader.Bring about the change your school, organization, or higher ed institution deserves. Grow into a more reflective, socially responsible, and tech-savvy educational leader.Bring about the change your school, organization, or higher ed institution deserves. Grow into a more reflective, socially responsible, and tech-savvy educational leader.

  • Two concentration options — Grow into the leader you want to be by choosing a concentration in educational leadership or instructional design.
  •  12 to 24-month M.Ed. — Complete the program in 12 months full time or in 24 months part time.
  • No GRE scores required — They’re optional, because you’re more than your test scores.

Grow into a More Reflective, Socially Responsible Educator

You see a need for change in your school, department, or institution. You know that you could be the educator to enact it, if only you had the tools — and you’re right. You can be the solution, and our online Master of Education in Educational Leadership can show you how.

As an online graduate student, you will focus on becoming an administrative leader in today’s classrooms, schools, and higher education institutions. Rooted in the rich cultural context of Hawai‘i, our program will help you become a reflective and socially responsible educator by showing you how to embrace the native Hawaiian values of Pono (righteousness, justice, and balance), Kuleana (privilege and responsibility), and Aloha (acceptance, love, and empathy). 

Through a values-driven curriculum, hands-on projects, faculty mentorship, and applied research, you’ll graduate with the skills and confidence you will need to bring about the change your community deserves.

Diverse, global community 

Hawai‘i Pacific University is home to a diverse faculty and student population who are excited about new experiences, people, and perspectives. Once you enroll in this program, you officially become a member of our global ‘ohana.

Flexible completion options

The online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership was built with your busy schedule in mind. You can complete the program in as few as 12 months full time or in 24 months part time.

Low student-faculty ratio

Small class sizes of no more than 15 students mean individual attention  and mentorship from  faculty members throughout the program.

No GRE required

You’re more than your test scores — we know that. That’s why we look at other factors such as previous work experience, career goals, and your passion for education.  

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Online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Admissions

Hawai‘i Pacific University seeks individuals who are passionate about education and possess a drive to create positive change in the field. 

Admissions Highlights

  • Three start dates per year: January, May, August 
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • No GMAT/GRE scores required

See admissions criteria and application requirements.

Next Application Deadline

The final deadline for the August 2024 cohort is Monday, July 8, 2024.

View all upcoming cohorts.

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A Self-Reflective, Leadership-Focused Curriculum 

The online curriculum combines 11 courses, two concentration options, hands-on projects, and a capstone research project. You’ll study current issues and trends in education and leadership related to diversity, social change, technology, budgeting, and legal issues — all of which will make you a more informed and responsible educator. Plus, you’ll adopt time-tested instructional methods and technology tools to deliver inclusive, transformative learning experiences.

33 Credits

11 courses 

Two concentration options

Concentrations 

The online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership offers two concentrations to help you align your career interests with a specific area of educational leadership. 

Instructional Design (6 credits): These two courses address instructional design, theory, and practice of e-learning, and multimedia strategies for instructional media. 

Educational Leadership (6 credits): These two courses explore educational assessment, teacher leadership, budget analysis and planning, and educational law. 

Course Descriptions

The six required core courses include the following:

  • This course serves as an introduction to research methods and their application to real-world problems. Students study current issues in the education field and learn research skills in preparation for their research proposal.

  • This course examines current and emerging issues and trends impacting education. Students will inquire 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.

  • This course gives students the personal awareness of their decision-making and actions in classrooms, departments, and schools in the roles, responsibilities, and relationships they assume at each level. They will examine, explore, and express in their own words what professional ethics is as they interact with the various audiences and how they can contribute to creating a safe, caring, and professional culture in their educational environments. More specifically, students will be able to apply laws, policies, procedures, and practices that are related to ethics in their school district through case studies.

  • This course addresses School-Based Management (SBM) as a way of promoting decentralization of decision-making authority to positively impact educational quality in schools. Course content and methodology emphasize small group activities, collaboration, and use of data to encourage self-management and maximize school performance improvements.

  • This course addresses methods for positively impacting social and cultural diversity and equity issues. Students will learn to consider the possible effects that culture, race stereotyping, family, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual identity, language, and values have on student development and progress in the school setting. Course content and methodology focuses on eliminating the achievement gap by emphasizing small group activities, collaboration, and use of data to create equity for all students.

  • This course provides students with a broad practical understanding of how to integrate emerging technologies into elementary and secondary classrooms. Students will adopt a constructivist approach to understand education technology as articulated in the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers. This will help them become skilled in some of the digital tools used in today’s schools. In addition, students will be expected to address issues on how to assist learners to be media literate, how to integrate media skills into the classroom, and how to use media to enhance active learner-centered activity.

Capstone 

As you approach the end of your program, you will participate in a 3-credit capstone course in educational leadership. You will conduct research on existing or emerging issues and trends within the education field. Topics may include instructional strategies, educational policy, and equity in education. 

You will study, analyze, evaluate, and apply the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and the structure of the education pipeline to create your capstone research project. The project will result in a required research paper and an optional visual presentation during a virtual symposium. 

Transform Learning in Any Educational Setting

Request information to learn how our online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership can help you shape active, engaged, and inclusive learning environments.

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The Online Learning Experience

A complex world calls for flexible learning designed for your needs. In the online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program, you’ll find an intuitive platform, comprehensive support, and top-notch education that considers personal responsibilities and busy schedules.  

  • Complete interactive assignments using a customizable platform that follows best practices for online learning. 
  • Access full-spectrum career services, including interview prep, one-on-one coaching, self-assessments, and salary resources.
  • Connect with a student success advisor who will serve as your dedicated partner throughout the program.

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Count on Our Faculty to Be Your Mentors

As a student in the online M.Ed. program, you will learn from Hawai‘i Pacific University faculty who are not only experienced and active practitioners, but top researchers in the education field. They bring their real-world experiences and mentorship to you while you navigate the program. 

Plus, you’ll gain perspective from other educators — new and experienced — who come to this program from around the world. This diversity of culture, experience, and thought will teach you to prioritize ethics in education, demonstrate responsible leadership, and meet every challenge with empathy.

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Educational Leadership Careers

Careers in educational leadership vary in terms of administrative and academic positions. You may want to continue working directly with students in schools as a teacher, or lead a specific department within a school or university as a department chair. It solely depends on your unique career goals. Future leadership roles could include, but would not be limited to:

  • Department head/chair
  • Dean of students
  • Principal
  • Vice principal
  • Program director
  • Program coordinator
  • Administrative coordinator   
  • Research faculty 
  • Chief academic officer
  • Training and development manager

What Is the Typical Salary for Master of Education Graduates? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators in the United States was $99,940 in May 2022.1

Below are 2022 median annual wages for the following roles held by professionals with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership:

Principal

$101,3201

Chief Academic Officer

$99,9402

Dean of Students

$99,9403

Administrative Coordinator

$103,3304

Training and Development Manager

$120,0005

Activate Change Where It’s Needed 

Take the first step by learning more about our online Master of Education in Educational Leadership.

1School Principals. (2022). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

3Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

4Administrative Services and Facilities Managers. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

5Training and Development Managers. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference