M.Ed. in Educational Leadership K-12 Building Level Leadership Focus

Credit Hours

Month Completion

Class Type

100% onlineSee state availability

Next Start Date

Jan 6, 2025

Placement Tests

GMAT/GRE not required for admission

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Home / Degrees / Master's Degrees / Education / M.Ed. - K-12 Building Level Leadership

Prepare for K-12 building-level leadership with an online master of education

Broaden your impact on student success and well-being with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership. In this program, aligned with standards set forth by the National Educational Leadership Preparation Program, you’ll learn how effective leadership contributes to student achievement. Through Franklin’s streamlined 12-month, 100% online program, you’ll gain the knowledge necessary to help you excel as an effective building-level leader in K-12 education.

Program Availability

Online

On Site

Program Overview

Gain industry-standard knowledge and become an effective leader in education

You’ll tackle key concepts in education leadership through coursework that’s aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation Program (NELP) Recognition Standards. These standards guide leaders in their work to create environments conducive to student learning and achievement by supporting teachers, setting policies, creating systems and allocating resources. You’ll learn what constitutes an education leader, their key responsibilities, and the significance of constraints like ethics, laws and values.

Leverage stakeholder involvement and garner community support

Every school is a microcosm of its community. Therefore, the impact of an educational leader extends beyond the school’s walls. At the same time, what’s happening in homes and families influences learning in the school. Your success as a leader is dependent on your ability to engage with the community as a partner toward shared goals.

Building on Epstein’s theory on the interdependence of school, family and community, you’ll understand the significance of creating a culture of partnership in your school. Through the Epstein Framework, you’ll be introduced to the six types of involvement that inform the systematic creation of a school-based plan for strategic partnership and initiatives, or to assist in the evaluation of an existing engagement plan.

Master strategic concepts for creating inclusive classrooms

Your focus area course provides the opportunity to dive into the curriculum and intervention strategies that help students excel in supportive, culturally responsive and inclusive cultures within the K-12 environment. While the course provides insight to benefit the teacher’s perspective, you’ll also gain understanding of regulatory requirements, design considerations and operational implementation factors within elementary, middle and high school contexts to inform the administrative aspects of inclusive education. You’ll also be equipped to analyze the school environment and recommend necessary support services and effective instruction and assessment methods.

Earn a contemporary master of education degree

Education is a dynamic industry – preparing students for changes in society, the workforce and technology – is a challenge in itself. Doing it with a reliance on theory is impossible.

At Franklin, your instructor-led classes provide access to practitioners who are in-field and in-touch with the current thinking and the impact of current legislation on PK-12 education. Your capstone is an action research project, in which you’ll be required to design a “school improvement” project grounded in your current professional environment that addresses leadership, management and educational issues through the lens of your master’s-level studies.

Future Start Dates

Spring 2025

January

Recommended Register By:

Dec 27

Summer 2025

May

Recommended Register By:

May 9

Fall 2025

August

Recommended Register By:

Aug 8

Spring 2026

January

Recommended Register By:

Dec 26

Summer 2026

May

Recommended Register By:

May 8

Fall 2026

August

Recommended Register By:

Aug 7

Your Best Value Master of Education

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

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)

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.

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 K-12 Building Level Leadership Focus Program Details

Tuition Costs

2024 - 2025 Tuition	Cost Per Credit
Standard tuition per credit hour	$670
Nursing programs MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-AGPCNP, Post-Graduate FNP Certificate, Post-Graduate AGPCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate	$670
MSN-Generalist, MSN-Nurse Administrator and MSN-Nurse Educator	$598
RN-MSN Pathway (NURS 500)	$298
Current service members	$536
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level)	$398
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level) - International Students	$526

Learn More

Degree Requirements

To be awarded a graduate degree, students must:

Successfully complete all required curriculum courses.
Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
Complete the residency requirement:
1. Master of Education students must earn at least 20 of the 32 required credits at Franklin University.
Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees;
Not to be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or violation of Student Code of Conduct.

Transfer credit awarded based on experiential learning shall not count toward the residence requirement at Franklin University.

Admission Requirements

The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.

Requirements for admission include having earned a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization with a GPA of at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants who earned at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree will automatically be granted conditional enrollment status. Applicants who earned lower than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status to the program chair by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a graduate program. This petition could include details on the applicant’s work experience, work ethic, level of professionalism, personality characteristics, level of difficulty of program of study previously completed, etc.

Conditional enrollment requires students to achieve a final grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better in the first graduate-level course of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University.

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
The applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the Academic Catalog.

*For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.

Program Learning Outcomes

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership matrix.

Employment Outlook

11%

From 2022-2032, jobs in Education are expected to increase by 11%

Occupation

Median Salary (2022)

Job Postings (2022)

Projected Growth (2022-2032)

Occupation

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary

$101,320

52,641

10%

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary

Median Salary: $101,320
Job Postings: 52,641
Projected Growth: 10%

Occupation

Job Titles

Skills

Industry

Description

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

Projected Growth

Job Title	Job Postings	% of Job Postings
Assistant Principals	10,037	19%
Principals	7,860	15%
High School Assistant Principals	3,684	7%
Elementary Principals	2,696	5%
School Principals	3,037	6%
Elementary School Principals	2,681	5%
Middle School Principals	2,238	4%
High School Principals	2,672	5%
Middle School Assistant Principals	2,085	4%
Superintendents	1,891	4%
Deans of Students	2,047	4%
Elementary Assistant Principals	1,789	3%
Heads of School	1,925	4%
High School Directors	1,713	3%
Elementary School Assistant Principals	1,125	2%
Athletic Directors	1,184	2%
Assistant Superintendents	1,091	2%
School Coordinators	1,096	2%
Directors of Assessment	1,019	2%
Middle School Directors	771	2%

Skill	Job Postings	% of Total Postings
Special Education	9,826	12%
Student Services	6,668	8%
Curriculum Development	6,590	8%
Data Analysis	5,263	7%
Project Management	4,749	6%
Individualized Education Programs (IEP)	4,496	6%
Office Equipment	4,097	5%
Public Relations	4,041	5%
Classroom Management	3,995	5%
Marketing	3,711	5%
Accounting	3,707	5%
Educational Administration	3,633	5%
Finance	3,448	4%
Lesson Planning	3,327	4%
Auditing	3,307	4%
Instructional Strategies	3,262	4%
Data Collection	3,060	4%
Student Information Systems	3,056	4%
Pedagogy	2,645	3%
Purchasing	2,522	3%

	Industry	% of Occupation in Industry
	Education and Hospitals (Local Government)		77%
	Elementary and Secondary Schools		21%
	Education and Hospitals (State Government)		1%
	Religious Organizations		1%
	Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals		0%
	State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals		0%
	Other		1%

Education Administrators, All Other

$89,128

4,149

16%

Education Administrators, All Other

Median Salary: $89,128
Job Postings: 4,149
Projected Growth: 16%

Occupation

Job Titles

Skills

Industry

Description

Education Administrators, All Other all education administrators not listed separately.

Projected Growth

Job Title	Job Postings	% of Job Postings
Learning Coordinators	1,329	32%
Curriculum Specialists	479	12%
Curriculum Coordinators	392	9%
Work Based Learning Coordinators	373	9%
Course Coordinators	214	5%
Directors of Career and Technical Education	79	2%
Learning Program Managers	431	10%
Learning and Development Coordinators	55	1%
Professional Learning Facilitators	162	4%
Directors of Education	52	1%
E-Learning Coordinators	74	2%
Copyright Coordinators	65	2%
Program Leaders	111	3%
Student Development Coordinators	59	1%
Distance Learning Coordinators	62	2%
Training Program Coordinators	69	2%
Early Learning Specialists	42	1%
Institutional Sales Representatives	40	1%
Directors of Secondary Education	23	1%
Directors of Athletics and Physical Education	38	1%

Skill	Job Postings	% of Total Postings
Curriculum Development	343	14%
Project Management	339	14%
Learning Management Systems	290	12%
Data Analysis	243	10%
Marketing	198	8%
Adult Education	196	8%
Instructional Design	169	7%
Student Services	159	7%
Administrative Support	151	6%
Data Entry	141	6%
Special Education	129	5%
Pedagogy	124	5%
Distance Learning	111	5%
Invoicing	109	5%
Instructional Strategies	105	4%
Office Equipment	100	4%
Course Evaluations	92	4%
Google Workspace	90	4%
Data Collection	88	4%
Zoom (Video Conferencing Tool)	88	4%

	Industry	% of Occupation in Industry
	Education and Hospitals (Local Government)		16%
	Other Schools and Instruction		15%
	Federal Government, Civilian		13%
	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools		11%
	Educational Support Services		9%
	Technical and Trade Schools		5%
	Other		31%

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

K-12 Building Level Leadership Knowledge & Skillsets

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

Curriculum Development + Evaluation

Direct and monitor the development, implementation, evaluation, revision, quality and appropriateness of curriculum, instruction and assessment documents and materials.
Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate, develop and implement coherent curriculum, instruction, data system, support and assessments that promote student and adult success and well-being.
Develop and manage a system of assessing and reporting teacher progress, and tracking classroom and student growth and development.
Lead administrative tasks related to school improvement and school achievement.

Ethics, Laws and Values

Compile data from a variety of sources to analyze issues, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components.
Manage assigned programs to ensure compliance with legal, financial and district requirements.
Serve as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for student complaints; receive student complaints of discrimination and harassment; collaborate to implement related training to the campus.

Inclusive Classroom

Demonstrate the capacity to engage families, community, and school personnel to strengthen student learning, support improvements, and advocate for the needs of the school and community.
Work to identify and mitigate barriers and structural biases that prevent under-represented students from succeeding.
Demonstrate the capacity to develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive culture within the educational organization.

Leadership

Lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of teacher preparation and professional learning, including new teacher orientation and coaching.
Lead teams responsible for instructional support across K-12.
Professionally develop the instructional support team members into highly effective and results-oriented instructional leaders.
Demonstrate the capacity to build the educational organization’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning that promote student and adult success and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership?

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership is an applied master’s-level education degree focused on leadership at the K-12 building level.

What can you do with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership?

With a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership, you can qualify for positions like curriculum director, athletic director or special education director.

Why get a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership?

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership enables you to broaden your impact on student success and well-being through leadership roles at the building or district level.

What makes Franklin’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership unique?

Franklin’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership is a 12-month, 100% online program that is aligned with standards set forth by the National Educational Leadership Preparation Program. In Franklin’s streamlined, theory-to-practice program, you’ll be taught by in-field practitioners.

When can I start Franklin’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership?

Choose from three start dates each year – fall (August), spring (January) or summer (May).

How much will my Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership cost?

Franklin University offers a quality education at a competitive cost so you can afford to invest in your future. Our per credit hour tuition rates (vs. per year or per term rates) enable you to get a realistic estimate of exactly how much your degree will cost. Our 2024-2025 tuition rate is $670 per credit hour. Use Franklin’s free MyCost Estimator to get a personalized estimate of your total degree cost. If you have any questions, ask our helpful staff about available financing options and financial aid programs.

How long does it take to get a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree with a focus in K-12 Building-Level Leadership?

Franklin's master's degree programs are specifically designed for busy, working adults -- that means you could finish your M.Ed. in Education Leadership degree in as few as 12 months.

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Class Type

Next Start Date

Placement Tests

Prepare for K-12 building-level leadership with an online master of education

12-Month Completion

$2,000 Smart Start Scholarship

Tailored to Fit Your Life

Real-World Practitioners

100% Online Coursework

Program Overview

Gain industry-standard knowledge and become an effective leader in education

Leverage stakeholder involvement and garner community support

Master strategic concepts for creating inclusive classrooms

Earn a contemporary master of education degree

Future Start Dates