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Administration & Supervision: M.Ed. - Master of Education

This online program prepares you to promote systemic equity in your school using evidence-based leadership practices to craft school goals, lead the instructional program, develop faculty and staff, and redesign organizational features.

At a Glance

Program Results

M.Ed. - Master of Education

Administration & Supervision 

Best Suited To

This program is designed for committed, talented educators who have strong academic credentials, demonstrated leadership potential, interest in reflection and inquiry, and a desire to improve educational programs for students.

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

Four to five semesters

Application Deadline

Spring Entry: November 1

Summer Entry:

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 1 (final deadline)

Fall Entry: 

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 15 (final deadline)

Credits

24 credits (with credit transfer) for those who already hold a master's degree, or 30 credits for those seeking their first master's degree.

About This Program

Quality educational leadership is vital to the overall success of a school. Good leaders create collaborative environments where adults and children learn and develop. In the M.Ed. in administration & supervision program you will learn how to support the teaching of excellent instructors, manage the complex needs of students and parents and help orchestrate school reform.

Program Goals

  • Become an equity-oriented leader equipped to create high-quality educational opportunities for ALL students.
  • Develop the professional capacity of your staff and facilitate continuous improvement throughout your organization.
  • Upon completion of the program, graduates are equipped with the tools of improvement science to lead change across their school, ensuring that every learner has the support and resources they need. 

Program Experience

Core classes address leadership in instructional supervision and professional learning, special populations, continuous improvement, educational technology, school finance, and family and community engagement – each applying theory to practice to ensure relevancy to contemporary school challenges.

  • The program is offered part-time and designed to meet the needs of working professionals
  • Courses are offered one night a week online
  • The program delivery combines highly interactive online courses and engaging field-based coursework – each accompanied by opportunities for reflection and dialogue
  • Coursework extended and applied in field-based assignments
  • The convenience of online courses with the rigor of a nationally ranked program
  • Personal advising for individualized professional growth
  • Technology-infused coursework for contemporary school settings
  • Cohort-based program creating a supportive network of colleagues
  • Features a summer residency on Grounds the last week of June

Two Pathways to Seeking an Endorsement in Administration & Supervision

  • Traditional Master’s Degree Path (designed for students who do not currently hold a master’s degree): Students can now complete the degree in 30 credit hours, allowing them to attain professional goals more efficiently while meeting licensure requirements. This pathway leads to a master's degree and eligibility for preK-12 Administration Licensure.
  • Alternate Route for current Master's Degree Holders (for students who already hold a master’s degree): Requires 24 program hours, including the transfer of two relevant courses from the student’s prior master’s program. This pathway leads to an additional master's degree and eligibility for preK-12 Administration Licensure.

Internship 

Both pathways feature a meaningful administrative internship embedded in the program curriculum that is individually designed to promote your leadership development (no separate internship course). The majority of internship hours will be completed in the student’s home building.

Division cohort learning opportunities available

UVA EHD will tailor the program to your goals! Reach out to the program coordinator listed at the bottom of this page with inquiries about how to enroll a group of educators from your division to complete this program together.

New Curriculum Announcement

For students beginning coursework in summer 2025, the M.Ed. in administration & supervision program is pleased to announce our new curriculum pathways. Review the new curriculum changes in the coursework section below.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
  • B average GPA or better for the last two years of undergraduate study;
  • Three years of teaching experience;
  • A Virginia Professional License (if you wish to be recommended for endorsement in Administration and Supervision);
  • Two letters of recommendation from professionals who can attest to your promise as a graduate student and a professional educator, preferably one from a course instructor and one from a supervisor;
  • Current résumé; and
  • Statement of professional goals (typically 1 to 2 pages).
  • In addition to submitting the above supplementary materials, the program will also require (the program will contact you after the application due date with directions for submitting these two items):
    1. An oral response to interview questions; and
    2. A 30-minute timed writing sample.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. The Graduate Record webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Students beginning the program in summer 2025 will follow a new curriculum for the M.Ed. in administration & supervision program. Successful completion of the degree entails:

  • Successful completion of 24-30 credits of coursework for the master’s degree plus endorsement;
    • Students who already hold a master's degree are eligible to complete the program in 4 semesters, completing 24 credits by transferring two three-credit classes. 
    • Students for whom this will be their first master's degree earn the M.Ed. in five semesters, completing 30 credit hours.
  • Successful completion of administrative internship requirements with the internship embedded in the program curriculum (no separate internship course). The majority of field hours will be completed in the student’s home building;
  • Satisfactory performance on the comprehensive examination in the program area (Virginia School Leaders Licensure Assessment or equivalent if out-of-state);
  • Submission of an application for graduation through SIS; and
  • Application for endorsement from the Virginia Department of Education.

 

Administration & Supervision Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the M.Ed. in Administration & Supervision curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

This Will Be My First Master’s Degree

This pathway is designed for students who currently do not hold a master's degree.

  • Students now complete the program in 30 credits, allowing students to earn their master's degree more efficiently while meeting licensure requirements.
  • This shift allows students to complete the program in just 5 semesters, enabling them to maintain federal financial aid eligibility each semester.
  • Leads to an initial master's degree and eligibility for preK-12 Administration Licensure.

Both pathways feature an embedded internship experience throughout the program, ensuring practical, hands-on leadership training integrated with coursework.
 

I Already Hold a Master’s Degree

This pathway is tailored for students who already hold a master’s degree.
 

  • Requires 24 program hours, including the transfer of two relevant courses from the student’s prior master’s program. Students can complete the alternate route in only 4 semesters while remaining eligible for federal financial aid, a benefit not available with traditional certificate programs.
  • Leads to an additional master's degree and eligibility for preK-12 Administration Licensure.
  • Get credit for work you have already completed. Reach out to the program coordinator listed at the bottom of the page to review your transcript and eligibility.

Both pathways feature an embedded internship experience throughout the program, ensuring practical, hands-on leadership training integrated with coursework.

Additional Program Details

In 2025, the UVA School of Education and Human Development is ranked #6 for best graduate school of education in the country, and #11 for educational administration by U.S. News and World Report.

In the online program rankings, the school is ranked #9 for best online graduate education program and #5 for administration & supervision.

M.Ed. in Administration & Supervision News

Program Faculty

Michelle Beavers

Michelle Beavers

  • Associate Professor
Sara Dexter

Sara Dexter

  • Associate Professor
David Eddy-Spicer headshot

David Eddy-Spicer

  • Professor
Jaime Stacy

Jaime Stacy

  • Associate Professor

Contact Us

Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

Upon completion of the Master of Education in Administration and Supervision at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).