The Educational Leadership specialization at WSU Tri-Cities offers aspiring educational leaders a variety of graduate education programs appropriate for leaders at every stage of their career — from classroom teachers seeking new leadership roles to practicing administrators seeking professional development.
This specialization is offered at both the master’s (Ed.M.) and doctoral (Ed.D.) levels, as well as administrator certification programs for principals, superintendents, and program administrators at one of the nation’s leading land-grant research universities. The Educational Leadership specialization serves educators throughout Washington State with program offerings at all WSU campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver). The program provides a balance of practical experience, research, and theory to prepare practitioner-scholars for leadership positions or for continued study and research in the field of Educational Leadership.
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline for the start term of interest, as shown below. Applications are considered on a space available basis through the close date for each term. If necessary, please contact niamh.oleary@wsu.edu for a possible extension.
Application Deadlines for the Ed.M. and Administrator Certification Programs
Application Deadline for the Ed.D.
Unique program features include:
Click on the program below to learn more!
The Ed.M. is a non-thesis program for K-12 educational professionals. Course schedules allow full-time students to complete the Ed.M. degree in approximately two years. The program delivers the world-class instruction you expect from a major university with small classes and personalized attention only available at an urban campus. Students have the option of taking courses in a variety of instructional formats delivered through the Statewide Educational Leadership Program.
Click here for an application checklist and information on how to apply.
Earn your doctorate from Washington’s premiere Ed.D. program. Learn from faculty with more than 30 years of experience and be networked to hundreds of alumni transforming education across the state and nation.
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership prepares practitioner-scholars for effective and meaningful leadership in a variety of educational settings. Course instructors are highly experienced school professionals and nationally recognized academic scholars. Program content is practical and scholarly; it blends issues important to practicing educational leaders with scholarship that analyzes and addresses these issues. Post coursework, students produce a dissertation that studies and addresses a contemporary problem of practice in K-20 schools.
For more information about this program at Tri-Cities, including how to apply, please contact Jennifer Gallagher at j.gallagher@wsu.edu and visit the state-wide Ed.D. program webpage.
The Field-Based Principal, Field-Based Program Administrator and Field-Based Superintendent programs at WSU Tri-Cities balance practical experience, theory and research to help you prepare for leadership in the world of education.
This innovative, streamlined program offers you the best possible training to become a Principal or Program Administrator, as well as a network of colleagues and mentors who will help you. This certification program was designed by an Advisory Committee of working administrators and scholars, is taught by highly successful administrators and WSU faculty. Thus, the WSU Tri-Cities Educational Leadership Program offers the best of both worlds: current, practical knowledge and skills along with high-quality academic courses.
A Master’s degree is required for Principal or Program Administrator Certification. We offer the Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree in conjunction with our Principal or Program Administrator Certification program for those students who still need their master’s degree. Adding the master’s degree requires additional coursework (typically 3 additional courses) as well as a comprehensive written examination.
The program is based upon a two-year internship completed in conjunction with a series of 16 weekend seminars held at various locations around the state. These monthly seminars provide an opportunity for interaction between program participants, faculty, and a variety of guest speakers with expertise in relevant leadership positions. WSU faculty provide background in traditional leadership content areas and relevant educational research. An electronic network also provides a venue for continuous learning activities and discussions. The program is based at WSU Spokane with classes available at WSU Tri-Cities. Learn more.
For more information about the program and application process, please contact Dr. Kathleen Cowin (kathleen.cowin@wsu.edu) or the academic coordinator, Niamh O’Leary at niamh.oleary@wsu.edu.
Note: Programs in Educational Leadership (EdM, MA, principal certification, superintendent certification, EdD and PHD) do not accept state tuition waivers.
Dr. Mancinelli serves as Educational Leadership and Teaching & Learning faculty to the College of Education. He teaches educational leadership and Teaching & Learning courses to undergraduates, masters, and doctoral students. Additionally, Dr. Mancinelli advises, mentors, and sits on committees for masters and doctoral students. Dr. Mancinelli’s area of scholarship focus includes educational leadership and role theory as it relates to building academic capacity. Learn more.