Here, you lead the next generation to success.
Your experience as a P-20 educator has already prepared you to
mold lives—take the next step by obtaining skills to transform the next
generation. Governors State’s Master of
Arts in Educational Administration – Principal Leadership prepares
experienced teachers to step into administrative roles where knowledge,
practice, and skills create real growth and impact in schools and the
community.
In this program, you will obtain the deep understanding needed to lead public and non-public schools to success through preparation in organizational, community, and student-focused leadership. Graduates of the program will earn a the Principal as Instructional Leader licensure and will have completed the state-mandated training for teacher evaluation.
Reach your career
goals.
As a P-20 administrator, your impact is not limited to a single
classroom—it can resonate throughout the entire community. In the Principal
Leadership M.A., you will obtain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills
you need to lead at the P-20 level. Graduates of the program may explore other
career options in school administrative roles or go on to pursue superintendent
licensure through GSU’s Interdisciplinary Doctorate Program.
Why get a Master of
Arts in Educational Administration – Principal Leadership?
School administrators are crucial for student
success. Teachers who are inspired to become leaders of their fields will learn
the skills needed as principal to advance a school’s organization by
establishing a successful curriculum, proficient instructors, and academically
prepared students.
Data collected in 2018 lists the median salary for elementary, middle, and high school principals as $95,310, while the annual mean wage for the Chicagoland area is listed as $108,120 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Delivery Format
Governors State’s 36-credit hour Principal Leadership M.A. is
offered in a cohort format fully on-campus and hybrid format OR off-site
district partner sites. A few courses are delivered in an online format. The
cohort model allows you to take two classes per term but in 7.5 week sessions
to allow for no more than one class to be meeting at a time.
Academic Advising
The Division of Education provides professional Academic Advisors to serve the needs of all of its candidates. Your program's Academic Advisor is the ideal first contact for:
- Individuals considering transfer into this degree program.
- Newly admitted candidates who need to develop a plan of study, including evaluation of transfer credits.
- Continuing candidates who have questions or comments on program policies, procedures and requirements.
The Academic Advisor for the Master of Arts in Educational Administration program is Ms. Lynette Miller. She can be reached via email: lmiller13@govst.edu.
Dr. Sondra Estep, Associate Professor
About five years ago, the Illinois Board of Education mandated that all principal preparation programs go through a major revision with the focus on producing better instructional leaders in Illinois schools. GSU not only met their new requirements but exceeded them. Further, GSU has been in a continuous cycle of assessment of the new program which has led to improvements to better meet the needs of our local students. I am proud to be a faculty member in such a dynamic program that works diligently to prepare principals who better understand their role of providing instructional leadership for their students, faculty, and greater educational community.
Dr. David Conrad, Program Coordinator
I am proud to tell my colleagues that my preparation for principalship began at GSU. Their mix of practitioners and scholars provided a balance of theoretical understanding and practical application. I was impressed how faculty listened to school leaders about the training needs of future leaders. The program continues to anchor school leadership in the south suburbs.