Principalship (MAE/ASC)
Master of Arts in Education / Advanced Studies Certificate
Advance your school administrative career with hands-on experience and award-winning faculty.
- Next cohort begins: August 2025
- Full consideration date: April 15
- Apply now!
Features
Primarily Online | 35 Credits | 2 Years
- Designed for those seeking endorsement in Iowa as as a Pre-K-12 Principal/Pre-K-12 Supervisor of Special Education (BOEE License #189 and #190)
- Award-winning faculty who have led and practiced in the field, and conducted a wide array of research, are now your teachers and mentors
- Program requirements and outcomes are based on National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards
- Ranked in the top 20% of online master's in education programs in 2024 by U.S. News and World Report
As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.
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Kenneth Hayes Program Coordinator Instructor, Educational Psychology, Foundations and Leadership Studies |
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Janelle Finke Enrollment Contact janelle.finke@uni.edu |
Request Information
Courses are offered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. Some courses are synchronous and take place via interactive video conferencing (Zoom) on Monday or Wednesday evenings. Courses are supported using Blackboard Ultra, a dynamic learning management system that will enhance your experience and sense of community with fellow classmates. The first summer session includes an engaging, six-day, on-campus experience.
Fall 2024 Program Sequences by cohort:
Fall 2025 Program Sequences by cohort:
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Become principals or special education supervisors at the building/district/AEA levels
- Serve in leadership roles such as lead teachers, school administration, supervisors of special education, and more,
- Enter any school setting as a Leader of Learning, Leader of Service and Leader of Change
What are the benefits of pursuing the Principalship MAE/ASC?
Although the program is especially aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed for effective school leadership, our graduates routinely and consistently say their experiences in the program have made them better teachers. The degree opens many career opportunities including positions as principals, lead teachers, School Administration Managers. Graduates benefit from professional advancement, developing a balcony view of schools and leadership, sharpening one's philosophy around what schools are and should become, and expanding an engaging, widespread professional network of mentors, colleagues, and resources.
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Courses are offered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. Some courses are synchronous and take place via interactive video conferencing (Zoom) on Monday or Wednesday evenings. Courses are supported using Blackboard Ultra, a dynamic learning management system that will enhance your experience and sense of community with fellow classmates. The first summer session includes an engaging, six-day, on-campus experience.
Fall 2024 Program Sequences by cohort:
Fall 2025 Program Sequences by cohort:
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Become principals or special education supervisors at the building/district/AEA levels
- Serve in leadership roles such as lead teachers, school administration, supervisors of special education, and more,
- Enter any school setting as a Leader of Learning, Leader of Service and Leader of Change
What are the benefits of pursuing the Principalship MAE/ASC?
Although the program is especially aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed for effective school leadership, our graduates routinely and consistently say their experiences in the program have made them better teachers. The degree opens many career opportunities including positions as principals, lead teachers, School Administration Managers. Graduates benefit from professional advancement, developing a balcony view of schools and leadership, sharpening one's philosophy around what schools are and should become, and expanding an engaging, widespread professional network of mentors, colleagues, and resources.
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Students who have previously earned a master's degree in education often choose the ASC over a second master's degree. Also, if you are considering applying to the UNI Doctor of Education program, the credit hours (units) earned for the ASC can be counted toward the Principalship Intensive Study Area in the doctoral program.
Admission Requirements
- 2.75 is the minimum GPA to be accepted without provision; applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 may still be admitted provisionally, at the discretion of the program and the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Along with the application, you’ll need to submit:
- Letters of Recommendation (one from an administrator)
- Resume that includes your educational background, leadership/teaching/work experiences, professional development/professional memberships, and other related activities, etc.
- Applicant statement
- Writing sample (no more than two pages, double-spaced)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
Teacher Licensure Requirements
To be admitted to the program, applicants must hold a “Standard Teaching” license or provide a statement from their principal regarding the intent to recommend standard licensure once the candidate has completed their probationary period. According to Iowa licensure, candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of successful teaching and hold a standard teaching license to qualify for the PK-12 Principalship endorsement. Those that are on a “Professional Service” license will qualify to enter the program but will need to meet the Professional Education Core requirements, in addition to our program requirements, to qualify for licensure with the BOEE. Please contact the program coordinator with any questions or concerns.
If you are a post-BA student and have been in the workforce for several years, you may wish to explore an alternative licensure program - the Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL).
Next Steps
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Learn More
Visit the Department of Educational Psychology, Foundations & Leadership Studies webpage to learn more.
Contact Us
Our team of support staff is available to help you throughout your UNI journey.
Contact us at 319-273-7206 or online@uni.edu for assistance!
Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.
This program meets the licensure requirements for the state of Iowa. For all other states and U.S. territories, please review our Professional Licensure Information page to determine if this program does or does not meet your state's licensure requirements.
Levi Miller
"The professors want to establish a relationship and they have such an authenticity because they have been in the profession. You cannot argue with experience, especially with the staff that they have accumulated here – renowned names, published authors, people that have a reputation in all different parts of Iowa, being a premier former academic principal or superintendent. And when you're coming and learning from those renowned names, you know that you're going to get something that is incredibly high quality."
Business and Computer Science Teacher and Baseball Coach, Nashua-Plainfield School District
Molly Dabroski
"I've connected with multiple people–the program casts a wide net among educators in the state. I would highly recommend it, especially if it's one of the educational leadership programs because the professors are top of the line and they work hard to make sure that you're getting the best out of the program. They will push you and ask you questions that really make you dig into what you want out of the program and the goals for yourself."
Literacy Consultant, Grant Wood AEA
Tim Hopper
"I was a non-traditional student and I preferred to be in front of the classroom, so I can be personal with my professor and with my peers. But it actually hasn't been that bad. I have enjoyed having the freedom to be at home or wherever the internet is to access my classes online. I can work with my cohort and I can work with my peers across the state or across the region, wherever they are. I would tell other people, go after it."
7th Grade Social Studies Teacher and Athletic Advisor, Waterloo School District
Andrew Kim
"The one thing that surprised me was how quickly you build a connection over.an online platform with your professors, with your fellow peers and classmates, and how interactive some of the classes really are, even though you're several miles away from them. At first it was very difficult, just figuring out when I have to log in, what needs to be done, but once you get organized and you understand the schedule, and you keep on top of your assignments, it becomes very routine."
Special Programs Teacher, Dubuque School District
Kelly Moeller
"The classes have made it pretty easy to get connected. There are group projects. Even though it's online, during class, they'll put us in breakout sessions. So you're working with a smaller number of classmates. And then we also have some group text message communication outside of class. Then the program provides us with two weeks on campus where we're face-to face-for both summers of the program."
School Counselor, Cedar Falls School District