EdM in Educational Leadership (PreK–12)

Drive Change with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership (EdM)

Be a transformational leader in any PreK–12 school or district. This degree offers everything you’d find in a master’s degree in education administration, while diving deeper into leadership and policy. Our program offers field work and research experience, faculty mentorship, and flexible licensure and non-licensure options, including principal licensure programs. Bring your vision for better education to life here.

Students in the educational leadership master’s program may enroll either full- or part-time, and may choose to begin their program in the fall or spring.

Program Pathways

Become a Licensed Administrator

Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development’s master’s degree in educational leadership (EdM) gives you the coursework and clinical experience you need to be eligible for a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administrator license, including:

• Principal/Assistant Principal (PreK–8 or 5–12)
• Special Education Administrator
• Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
• Supervisor/Director

Gain Meaningful Field Experience

As part of the principal licensure program and other licensure pathways, you will complete a practicum in a school setting. Gain meaningful experience and put coursework into practice. The practicum is required for licensure. This is just one of the ways our master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies (EdM) provides you with more options than a typical master’s degree in education administration.

Non-Licensure Leadership Option

Interested in leadership and policy roles at the local, state, or federal level? Or looking to work at an independent, international, or charter school? Opt for the non-licensure pathway for your master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies. The non-licensure pathway of the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies PreK–12 master’s provides students with foundational knowledge and skills required for exercising leadership in any educational setting.

Related Programs

MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being

If you want to be an advocate for young children (ages birth to 8 years), the Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being master’s prepares you to understand and influence the systems that impact young children and their families.

MA in Educational Policy Studies

Be prepared to conduct rigorous education-focused research and data analysis to make informed decisions about PreK–20 education and child policies. With the master’s (MA) in Educational Policy Studies, you’ll explore research policy, and learn to apply research to understand and evaluate policy.

Career Outcomes in Education Administration

Become a life-changing leader in education.  Learn to implement policies and create school environments that make all students feel included. With a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies (EdM) from BU Wheelock, you’ll have the skills to:

Alumni in Education Leadership

When considering a master’s degree in education administration and comparable programs, it’s important to look at student outcomes. BU Wheelock delivers. 

Whether you choose a licensure path, like the principal licensure program, or take the non-licensure option for completing your master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies (EdM), you’ll be prepared for leadership roles in a variety of school environments. Our graduates go on to make a difference at local, regional, national, and international schools, institutions, and organizations.

BU Wheelock alumni go on to lead as:

• Principals
• Heads of school
• Assistant principals
• Curriculum coordinators
• Program directors
• District leaders

Education Administration, Leadership, and Policy Courses

Build your knowledge, skillset and confidence as a leader in PreK–12 education administration at BU Wheelock. Our master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies (EdM) curriculum is designed to help you apply research to meet the changing needs of students, schools, and communities.

Courses  include topics such as:

• Family and Community Engagement
• Strategic Planning and Implementation
• Educational Equity and the Law
• School Governance, Finance, and Operations

Scholarships Available

Admissions & Dates

Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the master’s degree program in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies: PreK–12. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Licensing Disclosure
Boston University offers a number of programs that lead to a professional license or certification. The Master of Education in Counseling Licensing Disclosure page provides state-specific licensure information regarding Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development’s Master of Education in Counseling program. Individuals pursuing the School Counseling specialization should review the information provided on the BU Wheelock Educator Preparation Programs Licensing Disclosure page.

Background Checks
Students who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation. History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these required experiences, which in turn may impede the successful completion of one’s degree program.