M.A. in Educational Leadership/OPASC Combo Program

About the Program

California needs qualified leaders who can transform their school communities. With SDSU Global Campus, you can earn a Master’s in Educational Leadership that’s designed for aspiring PK-12 administrators. This innovative online program combines the coursework of our Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program with an additional capstone course sequence required to earn your master’s degree.

Designed in collaboration with experts from SDSU’s College of Education — ranked #1 out of the 23 campuses in the California State University system — this program can help you build a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment for your students and your fellow educators.

Please note that our new combo program has a separate application from our standalone Online Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. You must select which program you’re joining before you apply, as you cannot switch programs once you’ve applied.

What Will I Learn?

Our master’s in educational administration program features the same coursework as our Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. These courses are closely tied to the latest California Administrator Performance Expectations (CAPEs) and will prepare you to pass all three CalAPA (California Administrator Performance Assessment) cycles required for licensure as a school administrator in the State of California.

Your classes are 100% online and asynchronous. You can expect to spend an average of 10 hours per week on the learning platform and completing coursework. 

You’ll also participate in a series of job-embedded field experiences to help you practice leadership and learn what it takes to become an administrator and meet the challenges facing today’s school communities. Field experiences are required and are supervised by university instructors along with a local site mentor.

In addition to the credential-related coursework, our Master’s in Educational Leadership program features a 3-course capstone sequence in the form of an action research project. Action research is designed to place the researcher within the research context, rather than the more traditional role of being outside and looking in. It’s the most relevant form of inquiry when compared to the daily work of an educational leader.

The capstone sequence allows you to practice data-based decision-making as you learn how to use data to inform your leadership practices and make changes within a school-based system.

• In EDL 690, you’ll explore advanced topics and existing research around a problem of practice within your sphere of influence.
• Then, you’ll identify existing data and prospective opportunities for data collection in EDL 691.
• Finally, in EDL 692, you’ll execute your action research plan, analyze the results, and compile the findings into actionable recommendations.

Student cohorts begin the program in the fall and spring semesters. Each cohort includes approximately 25–35 students, all of whom are working professionals in public or private schools or other educational settings. Your cohort is your learning community — you’ll work together to discuss the coursework, examine day-to-day work-related challenges, and provide encouragement when needed.

Outcomes

Now more than ever, institutions across the state need strong leadership to guide our schools through unprecedented changes. To meet this demand, California needs highly-educated school administrators who can create growth, foster positive student outcomes, and build equitable learning environments for all members of our school communities.

The job outlook for school administrators is bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 270,000 school administrators employed across the country in 2020.

In California, job openings for PK-12 administrators are projected to grow by 6% over the next decade, which translates to nearly 2,500 new positions for administrators across the state. Most job openings in California are seeking superintendents, school principals, assistant school principals, and individuals ready to serve in elementary and secondary school administrative roles.

Salary varies depending on prior experience and credentials, local demand, and other factors. In California, annual wages can range from $90,000 for the bottom 10% of earners to nearly $175,000 for top earners. While earning a master’s degree is not required to become an administrator, most administrators hold a graduate-level degree (44,000 undergraduate degree holders vs. 163,000 graduate degree holders).

Why Should You Choose Us?

Expert Faculty​

Learn online from the same faculty and lecturers who teach on campus at San Diego State University. Through years of active teaching experience and leading research projects, our instructors know what works in the classroom.

Stellar Reputation​

San Diego State University was originally founded as a school for teachers in 1897. For 125 years, we’ve been preparing students for dynamic leadership roles in school systems across the globe. Today, SDSU’s College of Education is ranked #1 in the CSU system, and our online education master’s program is ranked #8 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.

Accessible Learning

All courses are 100% online, self-paced, and can be completed in just one year, earn your license on your schedule and your master’s degree without sacrificing your impact in the classroom.