MSEDL · Current · 40 CUs

Master of Science, Educational Leadership

Source: WGU Program Guide·v202404·12/12/23

About This Degree

WGU Catalog 2026-03

The Master of Science in Educational Leadership is a competency-based degree program that prepares qualified K- 12 educators to become state-licensed school principals. The foundation of the program's philosophy is to create innovative instructional leaders for today's schools. The program is aligned to the NELP, SPA, and PSEL standards. The candidate learns contemporary theories while engaging in practices related to leading in 21st century schools, applying new learning at local practicum sites. Graduates of this program enter the field having demonstrated competencies in leadership practices and ethics, school law, exceptional child services, leading in inclusive schools with diverse populations, instructional leadership, human resource leadership, school financial management, systems and operations management, strategic planning, data literacy, and educational inquiry. The candidate is guided through the program by qualified program mentors, course instructors, and school leaders. The cumulative program activity consists of a capstone action research project that is conducted in the K-12 school setting.

Official catalog text — WGU-authored.

Degree History

First offered2017-01StatusCurrentCUs (latest)40(was 39)

College name history

Teachers College→School of Education

Program Learning Outcomes

WGU Catalog 2026-03

Official WGU-authored outcomes from the catalog Program Outcomes section.

•The graduate explains how federal law, state law, and case law has impacted American schooling since the 1800s.
•The graduate evaluates curricula in order to make recommendations for improvements that will address academic and non-academic gaps.
•The graduate evaluates school and individual performance data to create professional growth plans for staff and personal development that promote leadership, well-being, and professional growth to support a school's mission, vision, and values.

Areas of Study

3 groups · 13 courses

Course groups from the WGU Program Guide. Expand each group to see course descriptions and competencies.

Course Roster (13 courses)

WGU Catalog 2026-03

Term 1

Code	Title	CUs
D016	Leadership Foundations and Ethics	3
D017	School Law	3
D018	Leading Inclusive Schools	3

Term 2

Code	Title	CUs
D019	Data Literacy and Evidence-Based Practices	3
D632	Cultural Competency and Social-Emotional Learning	3
D633	Leadership of Curriculum Design and Instruction	3

Term 3

Code	Title	CUs
D022	People and Talent in Educational Leadership	3
D036	Practicum in Educational Leadership - Focus on Professional Practices	3
D023	School Financial Leadership	3

Term 4

Code	Title	CUs
D034	Systems Management and School Operations	3
D037	Practicum in Educational Leadership - Focus on Instruction and Operations	3
D035	Educational Inquiry	3

Term 5

Code	Title	CUs
D038	Educational Leadership Capstone	3

Total: 39 CUs across 13 courses. Degree total per catalog: 40 CUs.

← Back to Degrees