Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL)

Earning a degree while working full time or raising a family has never been more possible. Here’s why adult students are thriving and reaching their goals at SNU:

• Classes take place one night a week or entirely online.
• Students focus on one class at a time to ensure true mastery and prevent overwhelm.
• Students study alongside other adults in similar stages of life.
• Instructors with vast amounts of industry experience guide students through courses.
• Textbooks are delivered directly to your door at the beginning of each class.
• A dedicated student success advisor guides students through the duration of your studies.

Yes! Online courses are available if you live in an area without an in-person cohort nearby or if you prefer the online modality.

Yes! The workload is manageable, and you have great support. If you desire to earn this degree and achieve professional success, this program makes it possible! The success rate of MAEL students is fantastic!

SNU is the best place to earn a degree in Educational Leadership because of the consistent support from the advisors and professors and the success of the program for so many practicing administrators today.

SNU's Master's in Educational Leadership is unique because of our instructors! They are one of our strongest assets because they have success in school leadership and they love the opportunity to give back and teach at the university level to help the next generation of education leaders as they prepare for their futures. The MAEL program is also built around a cohort model, so students go through their entire program with the same group of classmates. The networking that occurs with that structure is longstanding! The accelerated model - classes are just 6 weeks long - allows students to take one course at a time and to be hyperfocused on each specific course.

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program allows educators to advance their careers into administrative roles such as principal, superintendent, director, instructional coach, and other unique education opportunities. The program's primary goal is to offer and maintain a program that will be relevant for students as they take the courses and prepare for their certification tests.

Public school districts, private schools, education operation offices—such as district offices—and education consulting companies all hire MAEL graduates. 

The salary range for a person with this degree varies depending on the exact position. Several positions are possible, so the range would be 60,000 - 200,000

School districts are looking for principals and superintendents, assistants, Athletic Directors, Curriculum Directors, and Instructional Coaches.

You should earn this Master's degree in order to accomplish your personal and professional goals! If you have a desire to be part of the small population to earn a graduate degree -then MAEL will be a pathway to that accomplishment. An MAEL degree will also provide a pathway to school and district leadership opportunities that will not happen any other way. Maybe you aspire to earn your Master's for BOTH reasons -- even better!

• 20 hours per week
• Cohort Model
• 6-week Courses
• Networking Opportunities within School Dictricts

This program costs $18,900 ($525/credit hour, 36 total hours). Once a teacher moves from the classroom to administration, the expense of the Master's will be recovered within a year or two. The program is even less expensive if students teach in a Title 1 school and can take advantage of Loan Forgiveness.

SNU has an active network of over 600 educators across Oklahoma, Texas, and the United States! Networking opportunities exist online, and while job placement is not currently offered, there are multiple opportunities for in-person networking at SNU career fairs, the annual Women in Leadership Symposium, and SNU's monthly Business and Leadership Network.

Credit hours: 3To develop an understanding of the concept of leadership. Such concepts include the ability to guide individuals and groups, decision making, interpersonal skills, organizational ability and communication.

Credit hours: 3 The application of principals, methods, and techniques of research in education. Includes interpretation, evaluation, and use of research as well as an introduction to techniques of reporting research.

Credit hours: 3 Curriculum planning which anticipates occupational trends and how that curriculum may respond to students’ lifelong learning needs is studied. The focus will also be on the evaluation of curriculum and instruction programs in the local schools.

Credit hours: 3 The course centers on human relations and adjustment in the school environment. Problems such as evaluation, interpersonal relationships, and employee motivation will be covered.

Credit hours: 3 An understanding of the legal responsibilities of the school administrator and procedure and policy implementation that meets legal requirements will be covered in this course. The candidate will develop an understanding of the public and private legal issues surrounding education today.

Credit hours: 3

This class will develop an understanding of local, state, and federal finance as it relates to the school. Particular attention will be paid to budgets and tax bases.

Credit hours: 3 Reviews the nature of long-range planning including development and implementation of a vision statement. Focus will be on the needs of the local schools in all areas including staffing, technology, facilities, and student support.

Credit hours: 3 This class will cover major aspects of historical/contemporary schooling and its relationship to the principalship and superintendency.  An emphasis on theoretical aspects of educational administration will merge with practical applications of knowledge, skills and dispositions for effective leadership as principals and superintendents.

Credit hours: 3 Leadership is a dynamic venture. Schools are equally as dynamic. Dexterity in the field of Technology Leadership has become an area of great need and focus in administrator preparedness programs and has become a catalyst a change for schools around the world. Through research, innovative practice, and intentional community building, the Technology Leadership course at Southern Nazarene University will inspire leaders to move confidently into our future. 

Credit hours: 3 Develop an understanding of the needs and responsibilities of the public and private sectors as they relate to education. The study will center on skills for building community support for district priorities and policies.

Credit hours: 3 Candidates will develop an understanding of the diversity that exists in the local community and how the school should respond. Discussion will also center on promoting the value of local school/community cultures.

Credit hours: 3Internship experience is designed to familiarize the candidate with the practical aspects of programs they will be involved in during their professional career. Specific emphasis will be placed on school finance, legal aspects, facilities and personnel. All placements are made cooperatively between the candidate and the university internship placement committee. Internship placement may begin anytime after completing Long Range Planning. Candidates will complete assignments in cooperation with the site-based mentor and the university internship placement committee.