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Eastern Illinois University

Educational Leadership

Advance your leadership in education with a graduate program offering professional growth opportunities on campus and at off-campus sites. Join educational forums with practicing administrators and other professionals.

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Degree Level
Master of Science in Education
Delivery
In Person
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Secondary, Postsecondary, Education, Preschool, Daycare
Educational Leadership students at EIU

Why Study Educational Leadership at EIU?

  • Learn through hands-on, project-based coursework
  • Work closely with faculty in small class settings
  • Prepare for a wide range of careers across almost every industry
"I chose EIU because it is known as a strong teaching school that provides flexibility I need as a student with a family. The classes are small and focus on real-life, practical experience. EIU has a small school feel that makes me feel valued as a person and student."
Tessa Prosser
Educational Leadership | Class of 2025
Tessa Prosser, Educational Leadership at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Project-based coursework
  • Collaborative learning experiences
  • Opportunities for internships and applied work
Hands-On Experience, Educational Leadership students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The M.S. in Education: Educational Leadership helps you advance your leadership in education. It is a fit if you work in a school or community setting and want to grow professionally while applying leadership concepts to your own school or district.

View in Catalog
$218,483
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Education Administrators,…
  • Education Administrators,…
  • Education & Childcare Administrators,…
  • Training & Development Managers

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$16,665 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 17% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $9,090 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
17% of lifetime limit

$16,665 total, just 17% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Aaron Mattox
Associate Professor, Assistant Chair, Graduate Coordinator (EDL)
akmattox@eiu.edu
2328 Buzzard Hall
Aaron Mattox Message Aaron

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Cliff Karnes
Adjunct Instructor (EDL)
cdkarnes@eiu.edu
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Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
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