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P-12 Education Administration, M.Ed.

Prepare to be an effective school principal with the Master of Education in P-12 Education Administration program by leading faculty, staff, and students to accomplish academic goals.

Program Information

Being a school principal is a challenging, rewarding career for the right individual. The Master of Education in P-12 Education Administration aligns with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards. If student and faculty needs come first, a career as principal may be right for you!

Meet with our Graduate Studies Director

Application, Funding, and Support

Program and Admission Requirements

The Master of Education in Educational Administration is designed to strengthen a candidate's knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the Core Standards for Advanced Professionals and Idaho State University Department of Educational Leadership Standards for Educational Leaders (which parallel the Idaho standards for school principals).

Admissions requirements and procedures are detailed on:

The Graduate School graduate catalog

Admission Information: 

  • Meet the ISU Graduate School admission requirements
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution
  • Have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in upper division undergraduate coursework
  • Have at least one year of K-12 teaching experience or equivalent documented experience
  • Submit a letter of interest, stating why the applicant is interested in the M.Ed. in Educational Administration
  • Submit a current resume with names and contact information for at least 2 professional references

This M.ED. requires a minimum of 31 credits:

  • 9 credits in “core” professional studies courses
  • 18 credits in Educational Administration emphasis courses
  • 3 credits of internship
  • 1 credit of case study

Candidates who already have a master's degree in an education-related field may choose to complete the K-12 Principal Endorsement Graduate Certificate.

ISU Course Catalog

P-12 Education Administration, MEd

Required Courses

Core Professional Studies Courses (9 credits)

EDUC 6601 Research and Writing 3 credits

EDUC 6602 Theories of Learning 3 credits

EDUC 6610 Applied Educational Statistics 3 credits

Educational Administration Emphasis Courses (18 credits)

EDLA 6608 Organizational Leadership and Education Administration 3 credits

EDLA 6609 Principalship 3 credits

EDLA 6612 School Law, Governance, and Ethics 3 credits

EDLA 6614 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 3 credits

EDLA 6615 Supervision and Instructional Leadership 3 credits

EDLA 6642 School Culture and Community Relations 3 credits

Internship (3 credits)

EDLA 6657 Internship 3 credits

Students must complete two of the three courses; EDLA 6608EDLA 6612, and/or EDLA 6615 as a prerequisite for admission to EDLA 6657 (Internship). Students will complete 260 hours of internship; hours are specified at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Minimum of 3 credits required. 

Case Study (1 credit)

EDLA 6651 Case Analysis in Education 1 credit

The candidate must complete all coursework prior to enrolling in the Case Study or must be registered in the last required courses during the semester of the Case Study. The candidate must have completed a significant number of internship hours and turned in the required reports to the Internship Coordinator prior to getting permission from the Internship Coordinator to enroll in the Case Study. 

Career Opportunities

  • Public School Principal
  • Private School Principal
  • State Departments of Education
  • Alternative School Principal
  • School Capacity Building
  • Charter School Principal
  • Textbook Consultant
  • Education Policy Consultant
  • Central Office Administrator   
Geoff Thomas Photo

Geoffrey Thomas, EdD

Assistant Professor

Office: College of Education 381

(208) 282-4322

geoffreythomas@isu.edu