Several top universities offer accredited educational leadership degree programs in Massachusetts. This specialized career field continues to grow as current educators and school administrators seek advanced leadership skills and knowledge. If you are in the field of education but feel the time has come to prepare yourself for further career advancement, you will find that Massachusetts graduate schools offer a variety of programs in educational and administrative leadership.
Boston College
Lynch School of Education
Boston College’s Lynch School of Education promotes collaboration in education through its counseling, leadership and metrics undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The core of its mission is enhancing students’ quality of life, expanding their imaginations and increasing justice worldwide. The values modeled by the Lynch School of Education are rooted in a Jesuit/Catholic worldview that aims to enrich the lives of others through empowerment, equality and community. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Lynch as the number one Catholic college-level educational institute in the country.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy (ELHE)
When you are reviewing the available accredited educational leadership degree programs in Massachusetts, note that Lynch School of Education offers an M.Ed. degree in ELHE that prepares educational professionals for leadership careers in school administration. You will learn how to take a leading role in curating a school curriculum that communicates the shared vision of your administration. While promoting student development, you will learn how to help to maintain safe schools. During your time in the M.Ed. Educational Leadership program, you will develop strong skills for effective instruction, for fostering family and community collaboration, and for creating a professional environment that promotes both staff and student success. The program encourages critical self-reflection, ethics-informed practice and equity across diverse constituencies. Offering online as well as in-class/online platforms, ELHE is a 30-credit-hour program that most students complete within two years.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Boston College
Lynch School of Education
Campion Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-4200
gsoe@bc.edu
Bridgewater State University
College of Education and Allied Studies
Since its founding in 1840, Bridgewater State University has focused on preparing teachers for careers in education. The College of Education and Allied Studies leads the state in its number of graduates in educational disciplines. It has earned the highest national ranking for institutions of its kind, and its primary focuses are quality in education, collaboration with neighbors and community service. The College of Education and Allied Studies offers full-time and part-time schedules that cater to graduate students who are working professionals.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
This advanced degree provides you with the knowledge and practice you will need for a career as a school principal or assistant principal in the elementary, middle school or high school environments, an educational administrator or a staff supervisor at all grade levels. This accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts features a cohort-based, 36-credit-hour course of study combining theory and practice with an emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving and strategic planning. Small classes and affordability make this an option worth looking into.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Bridgewater State University
Maxwell Library, Room 019
10 Shaw Road
Bridgewater, MA 02325
(508) 531-1300
eduleadership@bridgew.edu
Cambridge College
School of Education
The Cambridge College School of Education offers a number of advanced education degrees that are designed to provide you with a balance of knowledge, theory and practicum. Among the School of Education’s core values are diversity, innovation in teaching strategies, social justice, integrity, community building and academic excellence. Cambridge College is a private non-profit institution with its main campus in Boston. Best College Reviews ranked this institution among its top 10 Most Ethnically Diverse campuses, and it has been recognized as a Military Friendly college for five years running.
MEd in Educational Leadership
To complete this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts, you must earn 32 credit hours of classwork and complete the required practicum. Graduates of the Educational Leadership program work in administrative careers in the P-12 school, district or community environment. The coursework is designed for currently licensed educators who have worked a minimum of three years in a Massachusetts-certified educational setting. The goals of the degree program are to create administrative leaders who promote learning and growth in the students they serve, nurture a collaborative vision for education in those they work with and use their available resources effectively.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE, formerly known as NEASC)
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE)
Contact
Cambridge College
School of Education
500 Rutherford Avenue
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 873-0168
Mary.Garrity@cambridgecollege.edu
Fitchburg State University
Online Programs
Named the most affordable school in 2017 by Best Value Schools for its online advanced degree programs, Fitchburg State University has made a significant investment in developing its virtual curricula for post-graduate education. Located in Northeast Massachusetts, this institution started out as a teacher’s academy in the late 19th century and established its post-graduate program in the 1930s. It launched its premier full-time online degree courses in 2008.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management Online
The School of Education offers two M.Ed. degrees: Curriculum and Teaching Online and Educational Leadership and Management. The latter is a 36-credit-hour program, which you may be able to finish in just one year. Designed for working educational professionals, this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts provides you with the flexibility to study for your advanced degree while continuing to work in your current position. Some of the competencies you will develop in this program include knowledge of emerging educational paradigms that you can apply within your leadership role, research protocols and applications, techniques for creating an inclusive learning environment for a diverse population and an in-depth understanding of how students develop as thinking individuals.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Contact
Fitchburg State University
Online Programs
Anthony Student Service, Room 112B
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697
(844) 351-9393
ncheloni@fitchburgstate.edu
Framingham State University
Graduate Studies
When you are accepted into a graduate studies program at Framingham State University, you become part of the institution’s 175-year legacy of excellence in education. With flexible study options that include full-time, part-time and online attendance, the graduate studies programs at Framingham are geared specifically to help you earn your advanced degree while maintaining your current job as an educator or school administrator. One of the focuses of all graduate-level programs is establish strong ties with mentors and industry/community partners.
Master of Arts Concentration in Educational Leadership
Unlike some of the other accredited educational leadership degree programs in Massachusetts, Framingham’s M.A. degree does not include state licensure. You must complete three core courses and seven concentration courses to earn this degree. The program does not have a formal practicum component, but it does require that you gain field experience. As part of the graduation requirement, you must complete a portfolio that demonstrates your progress in the program. Faculty members in the International Education Program must approve your portfolio before you receive your degree.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Contact
Framingham State University
Graduate Studies Admissions
Dwight Hall, Room 208
100 State Street
Framingham, MA 01701-9101
(508) 620-1220
gradadmissions@framingham.edu
Lesley University
Education
As one of the best-respected and biggest teacher preparation programs in Massachusetts, the Graduate School of Education at Lesley University offers degrees for both full-time students and those who are combining advanced courses while continuing to work in educational careers. Top features of this program include small classes, a collaborative approach and a supportive faculty. Community involvement, social justice and humanitarianism are among the school’s core values.
PhD in Educational Studies Educational Leadership
Lesley University’s Graduate School of Education is an accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts that offers a doctorate. Graduates will have developed the ability to apply their course and practical work to initiate, support and sustain overall improvements within the school or district where they plan to work. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, persistence and courage in leadership. You must complete 36 credit hours within your first two years of study and obtain approval for your thesis topic. In your third year, you will complete your remaining nine credits while writing your dissertation.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Lesley University
Graduate School of Education
29 Everett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 349-8300
luadmissions@lesley.edu
Salem State University
School of Education
With 160 years of experience in preparing students for careers in education, Salem State University is certainly no newcomer to the field. Almost 20,000 teachers, school administrators, counselors and other educators have earned their diplomas in the School of Education to date. The university is just 15 minutes north of Boston, and it is one of the largest state universities in Massachusetts. The foundation of the school is rigorous academics combined with practical experience in the field, and small classes provide strong faculty support at every stage of the program.
Educational Leadership, Master of Education
If your goal is certification that qualifies you for a principal or vice principal position in the state’s public or private schools, you can earn your M.Ed. at Salem State School of Education’s accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts. It is a two-year, 36-credit-hour program that includes eight core classes that combine classroom and online learning, plus practicum and seminars. You will develop your leadership approach, gain technical knowledge, and hone your adaptive skills while learning how to budget, supervise others and engage community members. The Educational Leadership program is cohort-based and begins in fall semester.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Salem State University
School of Graduate Studies
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 542-6323
jacy.ippolito@salemstate.edu
University of Massachusetts Amherst
College of Education
The UMass Amherst College of Education is ranked within the top 50 programs of its kind year after year. The university was established in 1863, and it has offered graduate degrees since 1896. Located in the Connecticut River valley, the school’s primary mandates are to enhance the discipline of education through scholarship and to develop improved educational policy. With a stated commitment to social justice and diversity, the Amherst College of Education fosters both a national and international perspective in its courses of study.
Educational Leadership Ph.D.
Inclusion and equity are the hallmarks of this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts. As a doctoral candidate, you will expand your knowledge in the field of education with classes that draw upon other disciplines, such as psychology, business and sociology, to inform your leadership style. You will also delve the depths of contemporary research and analysis to gain an advanced perspective on the principles that support strong leadership. The program takes a flexible approach in its doctoral curriculum so that you can customize your coursework to match your career trajectory.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Salem State University
Office of the Graduate Dean
514 Goodell Building
University of Massachusetts
140 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9333
(413) 545-5271
graddean@grad.umass.edu
University of Massachusetts Boston
Department of Leadership in Education
Leadership for social justice lies at the core of the Department of Leadership in Education at UMass Boston. The program is geared toward preparing responsive leaders who work for transformation in urban and rural school systems as well as institutions of higher learning. The urban setting of the campus is in close proximity to several other universities, inviting collaboration in research and creative problem-solving among colleagues at these various institutions. Additionally, opportunities for international study expand the school’s outreach on a global scale.
Educational Administration, MEd
With this degree, you can become a school principal, an administrator of special education or take a leadership role in an education-related business organization. Some of your coursework in the M.Ed. program is applicable to the doctoral program as well. The core curriculum for this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts provides the comprehensive knowledge you will need as well as the practicum that will inform your role as a leader in education. Some of the required fields in your course of study are personnel supervision, budgeting, multicultural perspectives and data application. Classes are scheduled to accommodate working professionals with afternoon and evening time slots. To obtain your Massachusetts Administrator License, you must pass the Communication and Literacy Skills section of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
University of Massachusetts Boston
Department of Leadership in Education
College of Education and Human Development
Boston, MA 02125-3393
(617) 287-7601
leadership.education@umb.edu
University of Massachusetts Lowell
College of Education
A socially involved, research-savvy and policy-informed faculty provides graduate students with the contemporary tools necessary to break new ground in education. With a U.S. News & World Report ranking in the top 20 online education programs nationwide, the College of Education at UMass Lowell is dedicated to preparing the next generation of innovators in public and private school administrations. Established in 1897 with the expressed purpose of preparing teachers for public elementary school careers, the College of Education conferred its first doctoral degrees in 1985.
Ph.D. Education: Leadership in Education
As a leading accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts, the Ph.D. in Leadership in Education prepares you for a central role in P-higher education administration or education-related organizations. You can elect to enroll full-time or part-time in the doctoral program, which requires the completion of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s-level degree. Four courses provide you with specialized knowledge critical to your career path: Instructional Leadership and Educational Reform, Transformative Leadership for Education, Sociocultural Contexts for Education, and Leadership and Educational Policy. Seminars and research projects inform your choice of dissertation topics. A cohort-based approach provides you with opportunities to form professional and personal relationships to support your career path after you have completed your degree.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
James Nehring
Graduate Coordinator for Ph.D. Degrees
College of Education
UMass Lowell
James_Nehring@uml.edu
(978) 934-4619
Wheelock College
Graduate Education
Since merging with Boston University in June 2018, undergraduate and grad students alike at Wheelock College of Education have transitioned to the BU campus and enjoy the rich opportunities that the partnership represents to both college populations. The merger pairs the power of a leading research institute – Boston College – and Wheelock’s expertise in early learning, P-12 education, and child and family studies.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
When you enroll in this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts, you can follow one of three distinct paths: P-12 public or private school administration, higher education administration or institutional leadership, and a customized but non-specialized leadership master’s degree. If you select this third option, you will work with faculty advisors to create a program that meets your specific career goals as well as the university’s requirements for the Ed.M. Educational Leadership degree.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Graduate School
Two Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-4233
sedgrad@bu.edu
Worcester State University
Graduate School
Worcester State University is located in central Massachusetts in a community of a dozen or more colleges and universities and a seasonal population of approximately 37,000 students. Over the past few years, Worcester State has been named among the bests in a number of categories by both local and national organizations, including Worcester’s Best College by Worcester Magazine, Best Public College by the Princeton Review, and one of the Best Regional Universities by U.S. News and World Report. Its Graduate School, established in 1974, currently offers 28 degree programs, a small-classroom environment and state of the art facilities.
Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration
The Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration is offered on a part-time basis to working graduate students who wish to advance in their careers. A mixture of theoretical and practical knowledge prepares you for the leadership role you want to pursue in public education, complete with the administrative credentials necessary for principals and assistant principals in P-12 environments. One unique feature of this accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts is a cohort track offered by the University’s Center for Effective Instruction. This cohort track is a collaboration between surrounding school districts and the graduate school that provides you with real-world professional development.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Worcester State University
Graduate School
Shaughnessy Administration Building
Suite A-401
(508) 929-8127
gradadmissions@worcester.edu
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
Massachusetts offers you a wealth of top quality options for earning your master’s or doctorate degree, and all of the above institutions have programs designed to fit into your schedule as a working educator or administrator so that you can keep your current job while preparing for advancement. From getting a state license to become a principal to developing a vision for the future of education, you are more than likely to find an accredited educational leadership degree program in Massachusetts that will help you achieve your professional goals.