Is an MA in Educational Leadership Worth the Investment?

July 18, 2025 - 11 minute read

The future of education hinges on leaders who can inspire change, elevate student outcomes, and navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving landscape. If you’re an educator eager to make a lasting impact, you might be asking: Is an MA in Educational Leadership truly worth it?

The answer is a resounding yes. This degree isn’t just a ticket to a higher salary — it's a powerful catalyst for transforming schools, communities, and your own career. An MA in Educational Leadership arms you with the skills to shape policy, lead with integrity, and drive the kind of meaningful change that empowers both students and educators.

How an MA in Educational Leadership Can Boost Your Career

An MA in Educational Leadership is not just an academic achievement — it’s a career-defining move that opens up new pathways to leadership and impact within the education sector. Whether you’re ready to transition into a high-level administrative role, take on leadership positions in school districts, influence educational policy on a broader scale, or be a leader right in your own classroom and on your campus; this degree equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead effectively.

Lead with Purpose: How a Master’s in Educational Leadership Opens Doors

The right degree doesn’t just prepare you for a new job — it equips you to lead with vision, drive change, and make a lasting impact in education. Whether you want to lead a school, shape district-wide initiatives, or influence policy, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership provides the foundation to take your career to the next level.

Here’s how this degree can elevate your career:

Lead from Where You Are: Earning an MA in Educational Leadership empowers you to become a stronger leader in your own classroom and across your school community. Whether you're mentoring colleagues, shaping school initiatives, or fostering a positive learning environment, this degree helps you lead with confidence and credibility – without necessarily stepping into a formal administrative role.
Lead Systemic Change: With this degree, you’ll be prepared to assume leadership in educational organizations or school districts, and on your own school campus, guiding large teams of educators to work toward common goals. You'll be equipped to influence both policy and practice, ensuring that schools remain responsive to the needs of students and the demands of the modern educational landscape.
Shape Educational Policy: If you’re passionate about making systemic changes that impact education at a national or state level, or at the community level, right on your own campus an MA in Educational Leadership provides the foundation for roles in educational advocacy, policy-making, and reform. You’ll gain the leadership skills necessary to drive change in a way that can affect generations of students.
Increase Your Marketability: Schools and educational institutions are looking for leaders who not only understand pedagogy but also have the strategic vision to drive success across districts or campuses. An MA in Educational Leadership helps you stand out, making you a more competitive candidate for higher-level positions that require both managerial and educational expertise.

By advancing your career with an MA in Educational Leadership, you’ll position yourself as a leader who can adapt to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the future of education.

Learn more about the benefits of obtaining your Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree:

Career Advancement and Leadership Roles

Earning a Master’s in Educational Leadership equips educators with the skills to lead from within their classrooms and across school campuses. As a content specialist, graduates are prepared to design and lead professional development, drive curriculum improvements, and inspire transformative educational practices that elevate teaching and learning for all. This degree empowers teachers to influence positive change while remaining rooted in daily instructional practice.

With an MA in Educational Leadership, you’ll be prepared to:

Influence policy and school-wide practices
Foster a positive school culture
Drive instructional innovation and student achievement
Guide strategic planning and resource management

Principals and superintendents play pivotal roles in cultivating school culture, driving improvements in student performance, and ensuring that educational systems evolve to meet the needs of modern learners. District administrators and directors of curriculum oversee the implementation of cutting-edge instructional strategies that equip students with the skills they need for the future.

Leaders in these roles are tasked with navigating complex challenges, such as:

Designing and implementing effective curriculum and instructional strategies
Supporting teacher development through coaching and professional learning
Using data to drive instructional improvement and close achievement gaps
Advocating for the well-being of both students and educators
Promoting equity and inclusion in curriculum and classroom practices
Collaborating across departments to align instruction with school or district goals

With the growing emphasis on education reform and the need for more inclusive, effective schools, these leadership positions are critical for shaping the direction of educational institutions and systems.

Specialization Tailored to Today's Needs

School leaders must possess specialized knowledge to address the evolving needs of today’s students and educators. Our specialization in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) equips educators with the tools to foster safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments. By deepening your understanding of emotional intelligence, student well-being, and trauma-informed practices, you’ll be prepared to lead with empathy and effectiveness—meeting the urgent challenges facing schools today.

The MA in Educational Leadership at Concordia offers a Social-Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics specialization that aligns with the evolving demands of schools and districts:

Social-Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics
Build inclusive, emotionally intelligent environments that support both academic and personal growth.

These tracks prepare leaders to:

Respond to growing student mental health needs
Promote ethical decision-making
Foster inclusive, trauma-informed school cultures
Make a difference by being a servant leader in current and future roles

Additionally, specializing in these areas can set you apart as a leader who is equipped to address the multifaceted demands of modern education and create lasting positive change in your school or district.

Broader Impact on Educational Communities

Educational leadership extends far beyond administrative duties — it involves creating an environment where students, teachers, and the community can grow together.

Educational leadership goes beyond administration. With this degree, you’ll be equipped to:

Advocate for whole-child education
Improve teacher development and instructional quality
Foster school-community partnerships
Promote lifelong learning and civic engagement

Leaders in education hold the responsibility of advocating for the social and emotional needs of their students as well as ways to foster a healthy campus culture where every student, and their family, feels valued. They work to dismantle barriers to education and ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. At the same time, they are charged with improving teacher development, ensuring that educators have the tools and training to meet the diverse needs of their students.

The impact of educational leadership ripples out to the broader community as well. A school that prioritizes ethical leadership, inclusivity, and student engagement becomes a cornerstone of the community, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and positive societal change. By shaping the educational experiences of students, leaders are also helping to prepare the next generation of citizens, thinkers, and innovators.

5 Ways an Educational Leadership Degree Helps You Earn More

An MA in Educational Leadership not only opens doors to rewarding leadership roles but also offers a clear path to increased earning potential. Whether you're advancing in K-12 education, higher education, or specialized education consulting, or desiring to be a leader in your own classroom and on your own campus, this degree equips you with the credentials to pursue higher salaries.

Here’s how an advanced degree can directly impact your financial growth and career trajectory:

Advance Your Career — Without Leaving the Classroom

A Master’s in Educational Leadership isn’t just for aspiring administrators. For classroom teachers, it can lead to increased earning potential, greater recognition, and opportunities for leadership on campus — such as mentoring peers, leading instructional initiatives, or serving as a department chair or instructional coach. Many districts offer salary increases for advanced degrees, meaning you can grow professionally and financially while continuing to do what you love: teach.

Increased Earnings in Higher Education Leadership:

Educational leaders in colleges and universities also see a financial benefit. Positions like Dean of Students or Academic Affairs Director can offer six-figure salaries, depending on the institution.

Advanced Credentials Lead to Pay Increases:

Many school districts and institutions offer salary increases to educators with advanced degrees, including those with an MA in Educational Leadership. This degree signals your readiness for leadership and administrative tasks, leading to promotions and higher compensation.

Consulting Opportunities:

With expertise in educational leadership, you can also pursue consulting opportunities. Many school districts and education-based organizations seek out leaders with advanced degrees to help them with strategic planning, curriculum development, and organizational improvement.

Higher Job Security:

As education systems evolve, districts increasingly look for leaders with advanced training and credentials to adapt to changes. This higher demand for educated leaders translates into increased job security.

Salary Growth for Teacher-Leaders

One of the most common questions prospective students ask is about salary potential after earning a master’s degree. While this program isn’t aimed solely at aspiring administrators, it still offers a strong return on investment for classroom educators.

In many school districts, teachers with a master’s degree qualify for higher salary steps or stipends — often resulting in thousands of dollars in increased annual earnings. Beyond the financial benefit, an MA in Educational Leadership also positions you for leadership roles within your school, such as department chair, instructional coach, or mentor teacher, which may come with additional compensation or stipends.

Whether you're staying in the classroom or stepping into a broader leadership role on campus, this degree helps you grow your impact — and your earning potential.

Job Growth in Educational Leadership: A Promising Outlook

The education sector is expected to see continued demand for qualified educational leaders, making an MA in Educational Leadership not only a wise investment but also a secure one. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for school administrators is expected to grow by 3% over the next decade, as schools seek skilled leaders to navigate evolving student needs, new technologies, and shifting societal norms.

This growth is driven by several factors:

Increased demand for educational leaders with experience in digital transformation
Need for diverse leadership in educational settings
Focus on educational equity and student support

With the right credentials, graduates of the MA in Educational Leadership are well-positioned to take on leadership roles in an expanding job market.

Why Choose the MA in Educational Leadership From Concordia?

The MA in Educational Leadership program at Concordia isn’t just another degree — it's a transformational experience designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to lead in today’s complex educational landscape. Here’s what sets this program apart:

Contemporary Curriculum Based on Real-World Needs: You’ll address complex social, cultural, and policy challenges, helping students gain a deep understanding of what’s required to be an effective leader in modern education.
Two Impactful Specializations: Choose between the Social-Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics specialization or the Cognition, Motivation, and Development specialization to tailor your learning to current educational challenges.
Fully Online Flexibility: This fully online program allows you to balance work, life, and studies while preparing for a leadership role.
Servant Leadership Institute: Grounded in the principles of servant leadership, our program emphasizes ethical, compassionate leadership that benefits both students and staff alike.