Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL)
Transform educational policies, systems, and communities.
Increase Your Impact as a Leader in Education
Equip your callings to lead and teach with a contemporary understanding of complex social, cultural, and policy issues and best practices when you earn a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) from Concordia University Irvine. Designed to meet the needs of today’s educational professionals — including teachers, administrators, school counselors, and instructional designers — the MAEL graduate program prepares you with relevant coursework based on the latest research and best practices.
Upon graduation, you’ll have the experience and knowledge to train and mentor teachers and staff in school settings and other environments where students develop and learn. Transform lives by implementing evidence-based policies, and turn trusted whole-child education theory into actionable learning solutions, as well as better serve students, families, and colleagues in your current and future roles in education.
In fact, according to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), SEL in education has been known to2:
- Have a positive impact on students’ academic achievement
- Decrease emotional distress, and increase positive attitudes about self and others
- Reduce in bullying and aggression
- Enhance young people’s coping skills, resiliency, and emotion identification
- Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the short term
The online MAEL program, with a specialization in Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics, is possible due to the combined efforts of Concordia’s renowned School of Education and our Servant Leadership Institute.
Online
Study fully online where and when it’s convenient for you.
30 Units
Complete your program in about 10 months.
$730/Unit
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
“What I liked about Concordia was it was a nice blend of pedagogy and practical application in the classroom. It was really tailored to the working educator. It was something I knew would further my professional growth – and it certainly did.”
Greg McFall ’07
Getting Started
All students in the online M.A. in Educational Leadership program will take the same five core courses. This includes the opportunity to investigate a personal area of interest when completing a Capstone project.
The Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics specialization has classes in mental health, whole-child education, and servant leadership.
Next Start
August 24, 2026
Upcoming Starts
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Fall 2 2026 October 19, 2026
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Spring 1 2027 January 11, 2027
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Spring 2 2027 March 8, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- EDCE533 – SEL Core Competencies
- EDCE541 – Mental Health Issues in Today’s Schools
- OR EDSC541 – Mental Health Interventions for School Counselors
- EDCE543 – Managing Classroom and School Wide Behavior
- EDCE553 – Building Character and Ethics in Today’s Schools
- EDCE561 – Trauma-Informed Practices
- OR EDSC561 – Crisis Prevention and Intervention
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of MAEL courses by program.
Upon graduating with the MAEL degree, you’ll understand how to:
- Facilitate the development and implementation of a vision of learning that recognizes the needs of the school community.
- Collaborate with the community to promote social emotional learning, character, and ethics within school systems.
- Model servant leadership while actively nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional programs conducive to student learning and professional growth for faculty and staff.
- Implement a balanced approach to decision-making in an educational environment.
- Identify strategies for lifelong learning in a global and digital world, including shaping a personal network to support continuous professional growth in servant leadership.
Program Specializations
Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics
This specialization puts servant leadership principles and social emotional learning practices at the forefront. You’ll get a unique approach to SEL that blends today’s best practices with additional focus on character and ethics. Learn more.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Lutheran Educator Discount
For applicants currently serving as a teacher or administrator in a Lutheran school, Concordia offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue a degree through Concordia University Irvine’s School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to submit a signed letter from their school administrator verifying employment along with all application materials.*
CUI Alumni Loyalty Discount
For applicants who have earned a degree from Concordia University Irvine, the university offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue an additional degree or program through our School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to inform the Admissions Office of your eligibility when applying for admissions.*
*Students receiving Concordia Faculty/Staff Waiver, Graduate Assistants, and Scholarship Athletes cannot combine with tuition discounts.
Admission Requirements
View the Graduate Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Information Sessions
Attend an Information Session online to learn more about our program, the application process, financial aid, payment plans, and more.
Career Outcomes
The online M.A. in Educational Leadership provides you with a range of career options. From 2023 to 20331, the workforce could see increases in related careers each year, on average:
- Principals: Over 20,000
- Instructional coordinators: Over 20,000
- Postsecondary education administrators: Over 15,000
MAED/MAEL Program Handbook
The Program Handbook provides you with certain graduate degree program descriptions and requirements needed to earn a MAED/MAEL degree.
Networking Opportunities
As a graduate student at Concordia, you’ll become part of a vibrant community of over 25,000 alumni and over 3,500 peers, fostering meaningful connections that support both personal and professional growth. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to helping you discover and develop your callings through mentorship and collaboration.
Located in Irvine — home to more than 900 tech companies and a hub for innovation — students benefit from proximity to leading industries in life sciences and information technology. One-third of all Fortune 500 companies have a presence in Irvine, offering abundant opportunities for internships, mentorships, and career advancement.
Irvine’s strategic position in Southern California provides access to a dynamic business ecosystem, making it an ideal place to build your professional network. Whether you’re attending on-campus events or engaging with our online community, Concordia offers the resources and support to help you thrive in your various vocations.
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
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Cari Chittick
Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement, Professor of…
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Kathy Mueller
Administrative Assistant to the Dean/Assistant Director of Events and Partnerships
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Sandra Mercier
Director, MAEd Learning, Design, and Technology & Curriculum & Instruction
FAQs
What does educational leadership do?
Educational leaders typically help academic institutions move forward – in instruction, curriculum, policy, culture, efficiency, and more. They may have a say in hiring and retention, programming, community impact, and other duties depending on their requirements and the audience they’re serving.
Why get a degree in educational leadership?
It is very applicable for educational leaders who desire to learn new strategies to apply in their current role such as a classroom teacher desiring to better understand ways to support individual student growth and success.
Whether you are interested in a future career change or want to gain knowledge to apply in your existing career, this degree will equip you with new ideas and greater confidence.
What is the difference between educational administration and leadership?
While there are some similarities between administration and leadership, there would also be plenty of differences in your studies.
Educational administration typically refers to the management of day-to-day operations, like managing budgets and finances, ensuring compliance with regulations, recruiting and supervising staff, and more.
Educational leadership emphasizes vision and strategy, and it may include promoting a learning culture, leading change initiatives, and building partnerships with external organizations to create educational opportunities, among other responsibilities.
Should I choose a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership over an MEd?
A Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) is a great fit if you want to grow as a strategic leader who understands policy, culture, learning theory, and the broader systems that shape today’s schools. At Concordia, the MAEL is designed for educators, counselors, administrators, and instructional designers who want a research-informed, whole-child approach to leadership — paired with practical skills you can immediately apply in your work.
A Master of Education (MEd), by contrast, typically provides a broader focus on classroom practice or curriculum and instruction. If you’re seeking a degree centered on leading change, mentoring educators, and shaping policy and school culture, the MAEL may be the more aligned next step for you.
Related Programs
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Early Childhood – MAED
Create learning experiences that make an impact on young learners.
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Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics – MAEL
Specialize in SEL education practices essential to student well-being.
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School Psychology – MAED
Help children thrive in and out of the classroom with…
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School Counseling – MAED
Transform students’ lives with a master’s in school counseling.
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Learning, Design, and Technology – MAED
Grow your ability to design accessible and equitable learning experiences…
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Educational Administration – MAED
Continue working while earning your graduate degree online.
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Curriculum and Instruction – MAED
Innovate Your Classroom. Elevate Your Teaching.
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Education (MAEd) Programs
Graduate programs empowering educators for transformation and professional leadership.
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Special Education Teaching
Prepare to teach diverse learners with developmental disabilities.
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Secondary Teaching
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to teach at…
Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm (viewed Nov. 18, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed Nov. 18, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm (viewed Nov. 18, 2024)
2Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), What Does the Research Say?, on the internet, at:
- https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-does-the-research-say/ (viewed Dec. 18, 2024).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.