Top-Ranked Online Education Administration Degree
The 11-course online Education Specialist Degree in Administration, Planning and Policy is designed to meet the needs of experienced practitioners who already hold a Master of Education in a field other than Education Administration. You must have at least three years of PK-12 professional experience to qualify for acceptance and work within a school system to complete the degree. This program does not lead to licensure. Massachusetts candidates seeking licensure as school principals should refer to the MA Principal licensure track Ed.S. in Administration, Planning and Policy.
Career Outlook

Curriculum Outline
- Total Number of Courses Required for the
Education Specialist in Administration, Planning and Policy, Ed.S.
: 11 (33 credits)
Students are admitted into a Summer, Fall or Spring cohort and courses are taken in a specific sequence. Sequences will be provided upon admission. To build a systematic knowledge base, Group A courses should be taken before Group B courses.
Group A (5 Courses / 15cr)
- EDUC.6320 The Inclusive School (3cr)
- EDUC.6580 Role of the Curriculum and Instructional Leader (3cr)
- EDUC.6421 Principles of Supervision (3cr)
- EDUC.6431 Principalship PK - 12 (3cr)
- EDUC.6130 Leading the Professional Learning Community (3cr)
Group B (3 Courses / 9cr)
- EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation (3cr)
- EDUC.6220 Managing Resources and Finances (3cr)
- EDUC.6230 School Policy and Law (3cr)
Electives (2 Courses / 6cr)
- Appropriate 6000 level course chosen after consultation with advisor.
- Appropriate 6000 level course chosen after consultation with advisor.
Ed.S Seminar (1 Course / 3cr)
- EDUC.6560 Ed.S Seminar * (3cr)
*Candidates undertake an in-depth study of issues and develop a paper demonstrating their depth of understanding of issues pertinent to PK-12 education. Candidates must complete 24 credits prior to registering for the Ed.S. Seminar. The Ed.S. Seminar may be taken concurrently with the practicum, but not with any other course.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
M.Ed and Ed.S matriculated onl
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
M.Ed and Ed.S matriculated onl
Prerequisites:
M.Ed and Ed.S matriculated onl
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
Ed.S. Matriculated only
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Program Requirements
To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell specialist degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.
General Requirements:
- Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
- Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
- All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
- Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.
Graduate Program Policies
In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Fall 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D. | $500 | $1,500 |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Admission Requirements
You must hold a master's degree in education from an accredited college or university or a degree in a closely related field of study, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.000 for admission to this program. Also, you should have at least three years of full-time experience in a K-12 school or a related setting. Complete admission requirements can be found at Graduate Admissions, which include:
- Online application and fee
- Two-page statement in which you describe your educational philosophy and reasons for seeking entry to the degree
- Two letters of recommendation
- Proof of professional teaching status
- All official transcripts
- TOEFL scores, if appropriate
Graduate Program Policies
In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!