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Educational Leadership

The mission of the Specialist in Education in Educational Leadership is to provide more advanced and intensive graduate study of educational leadership.

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Educational Leadership

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Degree Level
Educational Specialist
Delivery
In Person
Credit Hours
66 Total
Careers
Education, Preschool, Daycare, Secondary, Postsecondary
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 attended EIU for my previous Master's Degree and absolutely loved the program and experience! I am wanting to continue that experience with my second Master's Degree. I also teach in the same community as EIU and have always had a positive, working relationship with people at EIU!"
Justin Bledsaw
MSED: Educational Leadership Teacher Leader/Principal Dual Endorsement | Class of 2026
Justin Bledsaw, MSED:  Educational Leadership Teacher Leader/Principal Dual Endorsement 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

Many courses are offered at night and weekends on-campus and at off-campus locations. Our department provides programmatic and professional growth opportunities for our students, both on-campus and at sites where our presence is requested.

View in Catalog
$72,758
Median Salary 4 Years After Graduation

Career Outcomes

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

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)
Personality Fit Social

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: ~$33,330 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 33% 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, so federal loans alone can cover tuition and fees.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education - at EIU's rates, that can cover a good share of a part-time master's.

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.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid →
33% of lifetime limit

$33,330 total, just 33% 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

Message Aaron

or email akmattox@eiu.edu directly
Jill Rennels-Hutti
Interim Dean, College of Education, Health & Human Services
jrrennelshutti@eiu.edu
1423
217-581-6348
Jill Rennels-Hutti Message Jill

Message Jill

or email jrrennelshutti@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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