Recent Employers
- School districts
- Charter schools
- Private schools
- State and federal education agencies
- Universities and colleges
Our K–12 educational leadership/principalship master’s program puts you on the fast track to a school administration and leadership career through hybrid coursework that’s ideal for busy professionals.
The Center for Education is no longer accepting new students into its graduate education programs.
Master's
Certifications
Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
Master's: 33
Principal Certification: 30
Instructional Coaching Certification: 12
Our K–12 educational leadership master of education program puts you on the fast track to a career in educational administration and leadership. We offer a flexible program that is ideal for working professionals. Build your professional reputation and skills while earning your degree at your own pace through hybrid online and on-campus coursework that balances your professional and personal lifestyle with your educational goals.
While pursuing your degree, you can also earn certification to fill the roles of principal, supervisor, or director.
Our master’s program will build your reputation and leadership skills and enable you to take charge of K–12 schools and districts as a principal, superintendent, or director.
View the academic catalog for Loading...
If your career goal is to become a principal, supervisor, or director, our master’s program can provide the appropriate professional certification with or without the degree.
Through our partnership with American Community Schools of Athens, you can earn an MEd in K-12 Educational Leadership with a focus on International and Independent Schools Leadership.
In year one, you’ll travel to Athens for a 3-week summer residency. In year two, you’ll travel to the United States for a 3-week summer residency that includes educational experiences in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C.
During the school year, you’ll complete your coursework online.
Interested in bringing your children and family to your residency in Athens? A discounted summer camp program will enable them to experience one of the world’s most historic cities while you work toward your master’s degree.
Each state/jurisdiction has requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure and/or certification to teach. It is the student’s responsibility to seek appropriate guidance before beginning any academic program. If you intend to seek certification outside of Pennsylvania, the University recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain specific licensure/certification requirements per state and the most up-to-date information.
To view Widener’s licensure eligibility by state/jurisdiction, please visit the Center for Education: Program Licensure page.
2022 median annual pay for elementary, middle, & high school principals
Employment of management occupations—including elementary, middle & high school principals—is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations between 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.
All of our full- and part-time faculty members have earned doctoral degrees and have extensive administrative, leadership, and teaching experience in education. These engaging instructors build vibrant professional learning communities so you can learn and contribute to the knowledge of your fellow students who are also working professionals.
" What I’ve learned through the MEd program is the skills to succeed, whether it is organizational administration, coaching and developing leaders, or even the vernacular to know what is going on in the world of higher education. "
"My philosophy for teaching graduate courses in educational leadership revolves around the importance of integrating theory and practice. I believe my courses need to be grounded in research and theory related to students' particular areas of study, and also provide opportunities for students to apply that research and theory to practice."
New Jersey's 2021 Superintendent of the Year Joseph Meloche attributes his success in the field of education to his experiences at Widener University.
Widener collaborates with school in Athens to offer new degrees in international and independent schools leadership.
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Widener's stackable certificates enable you to achieve your master's or doctoral degree by saying yes to one affordable certificate at a time. Here, you'll follow a more relaxed timeline and course load while earning certificate credits at a significant cost saving. Most of our certificate courses cost 50% less than master's courses.
Learn more about stacking certificates
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Tuition rates are subject to change. Official costs for your first year will be determined at time of enrollment.
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013
Hyatt Hall, Office #320
Bruce Hall
Room 110