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College of Human Development, Culture, and Media

Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy (Online)

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The CAEP-accredited and NELP-approved online Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy at Seton Hall University is designed for experienced educators ready to lead schools and school systems into the future. Built for working professionals, this five-semester accelerated program provides opportunities for students to deepen leadership expertise, pursue advanced New Jersey leadership certifications, and posture for continued graduate studies, including progression to a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree.

Grounded in New Jersey leadership standards, the program prepares educators to drive meaningful change through a focus on equity, instructional leadership, and organizational improvement.Graduates emerge ready to take on high-impact leadership roles such as school principal, department supervisor, and district-level administrator.

Designed for working educational leaders, the Ed.S. program combines academic rigor with practical application in a fully online format that fits the demanding schedules of educators. Courses emphasize real-world problem solving, strategic leadership, and policy implementation in today’s complex educational environments.

The program’s accelerated structure enables students to advance quickly and secure New Jersey School Leader certifications, including:

  • Supervisor Certification can be completed in as few as two semesters
  • Principal Certification can be completed in five semesters

For experienced leaders pursuing New Jersey’s School Administrator endorsement, the Ed.S. program also provides the academic foundation needed to add an approved supplemental district-level externship, supporting a pathway toward superintendent-level leadership.

Students in the Ed.S. program join a collaborative cohort of fellow educators, creating a strong professional learning community that extends beyond graduation.  The cohort model fosters meaningful dialogue, shared problem solving, and professional networking among leaders across diverse school systems. Students benefit from:

  • Personalized academic advising and mentorship
  • Small, interactive online classes
  • Individualized learning opportunities aligned with career goals
  • Instruction from experienced scholars and practitioner-leaders who connect leadership theory with the realities of K-12 administration

Whether your goal is to lead as a school supervisor, principal, district-level administrator, future superintendent, or a pathway to a doctoral degree, Seton Hall’s online Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy equips you with the credentials, leadership skills, and professional network needed to make a lasting impact in education.

Accreditation & Awards

US News Best Online Programs Grad Education 2025
CAEP Logo
Middle States Logo
James Corino, Ed.D.

"The strength of our program lies in the diversity of our cohort members, spanning primary to high school educators, with aspirations to be dynamic leaders."

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Admissions Requirements

The Online Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy program accepts applications from candidates with an earned master’s degree and an interest in school leadership throughout the year on a rolling admissions basis.

  • Earned master’s degree
  • Online Application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Current professional vitae/resume
  • Personal statement 
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references familiar with your character, interests, and academic ability. For recommenders, consider individuals such as supervisors, colleagues, and faculty members.

Criteria and Prerequisites

  • Work experience in a school district, nonpublic school, or an accredited college or university
  • Graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (or equivalent)

For qualified applicants interested in pursuing New Jersey’s School Administrator endorsement, candidates must meet NJ DOE requirements, including five (5) years of successful public or non-public school district educational experience.

Deadlines

Rolling Admissions

Curriculum Overview

This Ed.S. advanced degree program is ideal for PreK-12 school leaders seeking to strengthen leadership experience, pursue advanced New Jersey School Leader certifications, and as a pathway to the accelerated Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree.

Students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours for the Ed.S. degree.  The culminating experience is an administrative internship that provides meaningful leadership and management-based activities within a school setting.  Students collaborate closely with the College’s Office of Fieldwork and Certification to fulfill this requirement.

Recently refreshed coursework prepares students for leadership and focuses in areas such as: Culturally Sustaining Curriculum, Instructional Leadership, Ethical Leadership, Introduction to Research, and Research for School Improvement.

  • 73

    US News Online Master's in Education Programs Ranking

  • 33

    Credits

  • 5

    Semesters to Complete

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are further prepared for impactful administrative and school leadership roles as principals, department supervisors, and district administrators, and postured for future graduate studies.

In addition to traditional school leader roles, graduates pursue opportunities across elementary and secondary institutions as curriculum supervisors, program coordinators, policy analysts, site coordinators, personnel relations, and athletic directors.

A photo of an Professional Educator

$141,310

Annual Mean Wage for K-12 Education Administrators in NJ (bls.gov)

3%

Strong Anticipated Employment Growth (bls.gov)

1:1

Academic & Career Advising

Some of the top employers where you will find our alumni.

School Districts Throughout the State of New Jersey
NYC Department of Education
Newark Public Schools
South Orange/Maplewood School District
Cranford Public Schools

Our Faculty and Students

Online Graduate Education Programs Climb in Latest U.S. News Rankings

Seton Hall’s online graduate education programs continue to rise in national prominence, earning improved rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs list.

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Scholarships & Financial Aid

Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.

  • 50%

    Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s different about the new Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy online program?

The refreshed Ed.S. program builds upon Seton Hall’s strong history of preparing school leaders.  In response to evolving primary and secondary school challenges, our faculty reimagined coursework that increasingly equips students with a blend of theory and practice to effectively serve as leaders in today’s schools.  The program pace and timing were also accelerated, while further aligning it with the demands of working professionals – striking an essential work, life, education balance.  The program also provides qualified students with the opportunity to pursue certification in New Jersey, as well as providing a strong foundation for future educational pursuits, including the Doctor of Education degree.

Is the program completely online? Will I be eligible for NJ certification as a Supervisor?

Yes! The required coursework to earn the Ed.S. in K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy is provided completely online.  The program’s pace is similarly accelerated. Successful completion of the required curriculum embedded in the degree program, generally scheduled during the first two semesters of the five-semester full program, students are eligible for nomination linked to the New Jersey Supervisor endorsement.

Graduate Admissions FAQs

Additional Resources

Certificate for K-12 Supervisor

M.A.E. for K-12 Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Request More Information

Office of Graduate Affairs

(973) 275-2892

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About Seton Hall

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One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.

Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interpro­fessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.

  • 14

    Miles from New York City

  • 90+

    Career-Building Graduate Programs

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