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ONLINE MASTER'S

Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation

Overview
Applying

The Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation Online MA at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education is a rigorous and comprehensive program that prepares graduates to become effective leaders and advocates in education.

The program allows teachers and current or aspiring building leaders to continue their work at the building or district level, returning to those settings with skills that focus on reform and justice. This program bears many similarities to our MA in Educational Leadership and Policy, with key differences: the program does not focus on educational policy, the program is entirely online, and a principal certification opportunity.

Marsal is currently in the process of applying to provide principal certification starting in Fall 2025. If approved, students in the program will have an opportunity to purpose principal certification. This certification requires the eight courses that comprise the MA, plus an additional course and an internship. The additional components follow the completion of the initial MA coursework.

Diagram of online masters program.
The triangle is the strongest geometric shape because its sides support each other evenly. Similarly, in educational leadership, the key elements are leaders, teachers/staff, and the community. When these elements work in harmony, educational environments become resilient, keeping students at the center of decisions.

The Master of Arts in Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation is designed around four themes that build on one another, creating a triangle of learning with students at the center. Courses begin with broad strokes, providing a foundational understanding around leading for transformation and understanding how people learn. Moving towards the top of the triangle the focus is narrowed, culminating in the capstone course where learning is put into action. The comprehensive curriculum allows learners to actively engage in transformation and innovation through a justice-centered lens: four foundational courses; a continuous improvement strand consisting of three courses; and a capstone course applying learning to impact the school environment.

We bring together a diverse cohort of students with shared interests in understanding and improving schools, instruction, and K-12 students’ educational outcomes. Increasing both the excellence and equity of schools must be a national priority. To address this imperative, state and national education reform efforts are increasingly focused on improving the professional knowledge base and preparation of educational leaders, as catalysts for improvement. We engage deeply and meaningfully with you in this work.

The program is centered on values of diversity, equity, and inclusion–or, as we call it at the Marsal School, “dije: diversity, inclusion, justice, and equity”–and offers specialized coursework in these areas. Students are asked in every course to engage in ongoing discussions and reflection on these issues to develop their critical thinking skills and to learn how to promote equity and justice in their future leadership roles.

Another strength of the Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation program is our faculty, who are leading experts in the field of educational leadership and policy. They bring a wealth of research and practical experience to the classroom, and many have held leadership positions in educational institutions and policy organizations. Their unique blend of the theoretical and the practical will offer you the opportunity to graduate with a degree that is both practice-based as well as having developed the research skills to grapple with today’s vexing educational problems.

Overall, the Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation online master's program offers an exceptional educational experience that prepares graduates with the entry-level skills to lead and shape educational institutions at local, national, and global levels. Its combination of theoretical and practical coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and commitment to diversity and inclusion make it an excellent choice for students who are passionate about shaping the future of education.

Finally, because we rely so much upon students learning from their faculty as well as from one another, the Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation MA program only accepts students who have had a minimum of two years of continuous professional experience prior to beginning the program.

Please note: The program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas.

Submit an inquiry

Requirements

This curriculum pertains to students entering the master's program in Fall 2025.

Please note: The program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas.

Credits Required
24

Foundational Leadership credits

6
  • EDUCONL 500 – Foundations for Leading
  • EDUCONL 501 – How People Learn

Innovation and Transformational Leadership credits

6
  • EDUCONL 502 – Action Research
  • EDUCONL 503 – Entrepreneurial Leadership

Continuous Improvement Leadership credits

9
  • EDUCONL 504 – Data Driven Decision Making
  • EDUCONL 505 – Transformative Instructional Practices
  • EDUCONL 506 – Leading Effective Collaboration

Actionable Leadership credits

3
  • EDUCONL 507 – Capstone

Course Sequence

Term Structure

The Master of Arts in Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation consists of eight 3-credit courses for a total of 24 credits. All courses are approximately 7 weeks long with students taking one course at a time for a total of two courses per term. The degree can be completed in four terms. Interested in adding on a PK-12 School Administrator Certification? Check back in June for additional information.

ScheduleTERM 1Term 2Term 3Term 4
7-Week AFoundations for LeadingAction ResearchData-Driven Decision MakingLeading Effective Collaboration
7-Week BHow People LearnEntrepreneurial LeadershipTransformational Instructional PracticesCapstone
Weekly Time Commitment

You should anticipate spending 16-18 hours per week across the four terms of the program to complete the coursework. Coursework includes:

  • Recorded Lectures
  • Readings
  • Discussion Boards
  • Reflections
  • Projects
  • Papers
  • Action Research

Optional opportunities to engage with the Marsal community include faculty seminars, interactive office hours, and participation in professional learning communities.

Term 1
CourseCredits
EDUCONL 500 – Foundations for Leading3
EDUCONL 501 – How People Learn3
Total Term Credits6
Term 2
CourseCredits
EDUCONL 502 – Action Research3
EDUCONL 503 – Entrepreneurial Leadership3
Total Term Credits6
Term 3
CourseCredits
EDUCONL 504 – Data Driven Decision Making3
EDUCONL 505 – Transformative Instructional Practices3
Total Term Credits6
Term 4
CourseCredits
EDUCONL 506 – Leading Effective Collaboration3
EDUCONL 507 – Capstone3
Total Term Credits6

Questions?

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective students

Prospective Students

Application Deadlines

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to receive timely decisions, engage with their program, and have time to make an informed decision.

Fall (Aug)
May 01, 2025
Winter (Jan)
November 03, 2025
Spring/Summer (May)
March 15, 2026

Application Process

Please note: The program is not currently accepting applications from international students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas.

Step 1: Meet us
Step 2: Prepare application materials

To submit a successful application for admission, you need to provide the following:

  • Academic Statement of Purpose
    • Describe an education-oriented problem you have solved, or problem you would like to solve. What steps did you take, or could be taken, to identify, design, and implement a solution? In addition, how did or would you successfully communicate that information to influence the outcome?
  • Personal Statement
    • We welcome applicants with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Paint a vivid picture of a real-world scenario from your professional or academic experience where you found yourself yearning for the skills you hope to gain from this program at the Marsal Family School of Education?
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé
    • Your curriculum vitae or résumé should describe your education, work experience, research publications, teaching experience, professional activities, volunteer activities, community engagement, honors and awards.
  • Letter of Recommendation
    • A completed application requires one letter of recommendation from an individual who is familiar with your academic or professional performance.
    • Register your recommenders’ names and contact information on the online application so that they will be sent instructions for submitting their letters via the application system. Let your recommenders know that they need to upload a letter and that it is required by the program.
    • As soon as you click “save” on the page of the application where your recommender’s contact information is entered, they will receive an email with instructions for completing the process. Proceed to this point in the application process as soon as possible to trigger that email.
  • Transcripts
    • Upload unofficial to the application.
    • Admitted students will be required to send official transcripts to the Marsal School.
    • Read the full details on Step 6.
  • Test Scores
    • English proficiency scores for non-native speakers of English only.
    • GRE test scores are not required for admission.
    • Read the full details on Step 7.
Step 3: Create application account
  • Create an ApplyWeb account, managed by Marsal Online. The application will launch in February 2025.
  • This program, unlike all of the other Marsal Family School of Education’s graduate programs, is not administered through the University of Michigan's Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. However, Marsal Online students can benefit from most of the resources available to Rackham graduate students.
Step 4: Complete application
  • After completing page 5 of the application, you will receive an email with your UMID. A UMID number will be issued to you via email within 5 business days of completing pages 1-5 and advancing to page 6 of the ApplyWeb application. Having your UMID number to include on all your application materials ensures accurate and timely processing, so we encourage you to complete pages 1-5 early in the process.
    • If you need to submit your application before you receive your UMID number, you may still complete the application. Include your date of birth and the program’s name (M.A. in Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation) on your application materials.
  • Current and former U-M Ann Arbor students, alumni and employees: You do not need to obtain a new UMID number. Use your previously obtained UMID number.
  • If your personal information has changed (e.g., legal name, gender), make sure the personal information you submit with your application matches your previous Ann Arbor campus record. If your previous Ann Arbor campus record does not display your current personal information, contact the Registrar’s Office (current students) or the Shared Services Center (former students, alumni, and current U-M Ann Arbor employees) to change your personal information before you apply.
Step 5: Upload documents
  • Upload the following documents to the ApplyWeb application:
    • Academic Statement of Purpose
    • Personal Statement
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé
  • Include at the top left of each document:
    • The type of document (Academic Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, or Curriculum Vitae or Résumé)
    • Your name
    • M.A. in Leading Educational Innovation and Transformation
    • Your 8 digit U-M ID (if known)
    • Make sure margins are at least one-inch so nothing is cropped when you upload the documents to the application.
Step 6: Upload transcripts
  • Upload an electronic version of your unofficial transcript(s) for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress through your ApplyWeb application account.
  • Do not upload academic records printed from your school’s website or student portal.
  • You are not required to send official transcripts at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Marsal School will require official transcripts. Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcripts are required.
Step 7: Submit Test Scores (Non-Native English Speakers)
  • English Proficiency Requirements
    • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. One way to do so is to meet one of the criteria for an exemption listed below.
      • You are a native speaker of English.
      • You are an applicant from Puerto Rico.
      • You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
      • You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Graduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
      • You are a current U-M student.
    • Applicants who do not meet the English proficiency exemption:
      • A one year graduate degree.
      • If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.
    • If an applicant does not meet one of the criteria below, they may be required by the graduate program to submit language test scores.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, MET, or ECPE scores.
    • For non-native speakers of English only.
    • Valid 2 years from test date (example: 12/15/2024 scores are valid until 12/15/2026).
    • The official scores must be received from the testing agency no later than the graduate program application deadline.
      Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted.
  • GRE Test Scores
    • GRE test scores are not required for admission, but scores (valid 5 years from test date) can be included with your application.
    • Provide ETS with the U-M Institutional Code of 1839 and your scores will be sent directly to the university.
    • Test scores must be sent directly from the testing center to the Marsal Family School of Education. We recommend starting this process early as it can take up to two weeks for the scores to be received.
Step 8: Check Letter of Recommendation Status
  • Check the status of your letter of recommendation, change the recommender, or resend the notification email to your recommender using the ApplyWeb activity page.
  • Please reach out to [email protected] if there are any questions regarding the submission of the letter of recommendation.
Step 9: Check Application Status
Step 10: Respond to Admission Offer

Quick Facts

Application fee

Waived

GRE test scores

Not required

Language test scores

Required for non-native English speakers

Financial aid

Available

Online courses

Online (asynchronous)

Entry terms

Fall (August), Winter (January), Spring/Summer (May)

Enrollment: Part-Time

Enrollment deposit

$100

Applied toward first term bill.

Career Services

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