Get started with MU
ApplyCourses
Courses for this program are 100% online: no campus visits are required.
Some online courses are synchronous. This means class lectures occur at certain times of the day/week and require the student to attend via online collaborative tools. Please refer to myzou.missouri.edu for course availability and details — click on "Browse Course Catalog" or "Schedule of Classes" under Guest Access.
Your degree requires 120 credit hours, which may include transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions.
The courses you take will include:
- Mizzou general education requirements;
- 24 credit hours of education courses;
- 21 credit hours of coursework in educational leadership;
- 3 credit hours of internship coursework.
Transfer students
The number of credits you need to take will depend on the type of previous credit earned and the institutions' accreditation and transfer equivalencies. The admissions office will determine your transfer credit once they receive your official transcripts and application. Visit the University of Missouri Course Equivalency site to determine credit equivalencies from courses taken at other Missouri institutions.
Course planner
Your individual plan of study will vary depending on your educational goals and the number and types of courses you transfer into the program. Personal degree plans will be developed with your academic advisor.
The chart below shows the courses offered in the program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The University reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed.
Internship
This program requires an internship/practicum experience (EL_PA 4481). The intent of this course is to integrate practice, theory and ethical standards within a supervised education setting. Specific activities during the internship may vary greatly from one field placement to another in that different students may have different learning needs and desires, and different settings will offer different learning opportunities. In some circumstances and situations, an off-campus/off-site setting for an internship is also possible. The course may be repeated depending on student interests, internship site availability and additional experiences needed by the student. Graded on S/U basis only.
Capstone
The senior capstone course (EL_PA 4975) is designed to allow a rigorous and in-depth study area of inquiry within the field of education. The area of inquiry is cumulative and includes critical analysis and theoretical and/or pragmatic integration of scholarly materials. The course of study is individualized under the guidance of a faculty member. Graded on A-F basis only.
Nondegree-seeking enrollment
Prior to acceptance into the program, you may enroll in up to 12 credit hours as a nondegree-seeking (in some cases, post-baccalaureate) student. Enrollment does not guarantee acceptance. Learn more about nondegree-seeking university student admissions.
State authorization
States require that the University of Missouri-Columbia be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.
Please see our state authorization page for more information.