Educational leadership

University of Missouri-Columbia
Bachelor of educational studies
Hand holding a compass overlaid with charts and graph outline illustrations
Request more information

Get started with MU

Apply

Overview

Are you ready to take the next step in your educational journey? As today’s world demands a more highly skilled workforce, we need educational leaders with experience in solving problems in areas related to community leadership and higher education. With Mizzou’s online bachelor of educational studies (BES) degree with an emphasis in educational leadership, you can gain skills necessary to influence change.

As a BES student, learning from industry experts in the College of Education, you will build a foundational knowledge in educational theory, research and practice. You will have the flexibility to personalize the program to your career aspirations and interests. The educational leadership emphasis is a great fit for those interested in future graduate study in higher education. 

No matter where you are in your career, a BES from Mizzou will help you stand out. Prepare to enter the workforce, change your career or advance your current position in student affairs, health policy, grant writing, library support, allied health, educational entrepreneurship, non-profit educational enterprise and human resources development.

A general BES and an educational games and simulation design emphasis are also available.

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online bachelor's programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Bachelor of educational studies with an emphasis in educational leadership

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Bachelor's degree

Academic home

College of Education & Human Development | Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Freshman credit hours

120

Freshman estimated cost

$65,040.00

Transfer credit hours

59

Transfer estimated cost

$31,978.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Portrait of a smiling young businesswoman in the office

Career prospects

Career outcomes include:

  • Student affairs
  • Health policy
  • Grant writing
  • Library support
  • Allied health
  • Educational entrepreneurship
  • Non-profit educational enterprise
  • Human resources development
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
7.95%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$66,000
Median salary

Program structure

This program is 100% online: no campus visits are required. You may meet your course work requirement with both semester-based and self-paced courses.

This degree does not lead to state certification to teach in the public school system.

Course work includes

  • Human learning
  • Learning spaces
  • Project management
  • Digital media
  • Leadership
  • Data and decision making for educational leaders
  • Ethics and PK-12 policymaking
  • Learning educational organizations in global contexts

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based and self-paced

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

Faculty spotlight

Casandra Harper-Morris, PhD

Areas of expertise:

  • Differential effects of college on students
  • Racial identification patterns of college students
  • Parental involvement, campus climate, & financial aid
Casandra Harper Morris, PhD
Associate Professor, Higher Education

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis