Master in Educational Leadership and Administration (Master's)

Drake University places students in Des Moines, a city with connections to the arts, business, politics, and food. The campus offers an open environment for students who want to begin with a clear academic interest or take time to discover a direction. Hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities, and support designed to help students gain their footing are part of the Drake experience.

Academic options span more than 150 programs across seven colleges and schools. Faculty help students connect classroom learning with research, internships, and other practical experiences. Personalized mentorship is central to the student experience, with faculty available to support students as they work toward their goals. Global perspectives are integrated into campus life through learning alongside students from around the world and opportunities on campus and across the globe.

Community service is also part of learning at Drake. Students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 230,000 hours each year through volunteer work, outreach, and pro-bono service in the Des Moines community. International students can expect a setting that links academic study with local engagement and global perspectives, while the city provides access to cultural, civic, business, and culinary experiences beyond campus.

This endorsement qualifies educators to pursue leadership roles in PK-12 school administration. It focuses on developing skills in school organization, instructional supervision, and policy implementation. Students engage in coursework and clinical experiences that address real-world administrative challenges.

Focus areas include School Organization and System Behavior, Instructional Leadership, Legal and Policy Issues in Education, Supervision of Instruction, School and Community Relations, Special Education Administration.

The endorsement requires 24 credits of graduate-level coursework, including nine core courses and two clinical experiences. All courses must be approved by a Drake academic advisor.

Graduates are prepared to serve as school administrators, including principals and assistant principals, in public and private PK-12 schools.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit official transcripts. The application process includes a review by an academic advisor after transcript submission. Materials should be submitted about eight weeks before the intended start term.

The programme totals about 24 credit hours. On-campus, part-time or full-time, with courses offered during regular academic terms. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 64% of applicants.