The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has announced a new online Master of Arts in Leadership Studies in Education designed to prepare educators for school and district leadership roles in K-12 schools.
The program includes a 30-credit curriculum that offers multiple certification pathways, which can be earned along the way to degree completion or pursued independently. Students can earn a Principal Certificate (18 credits) and a Superintendent Endorsement (6 credits), with the option to complete both while progressing toward the full master’s degree. A separate General Supervisor of Instruction Certificate is also available.
Each eight-week course is delivered fully online in an asynchronous format, allowing practicing professionals to complete coursework on a flexible schedule while continuing to work full-time.
WVU will welcome its first cohort in the fall of 2025.
“This program marks WVU’s return to leadership preparation for our schools in a meaningful and modern way,” said Dr. Nathan Sorber, interim dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences. “We’re combining flexible and accessible delivery with the quality and credibility students expect from WVU.”
“From the start, our goal has been to design a program that meets the realities of today’s schools and today’s teachers,” said Dr. Erin McHenry-Sorber, program coordinator for the Leadership Studies in Education program. “We’ve integrated a strong emphasis on place-based leadership, helping future school leaders tailor their practices to the unique strengths and challenges of the communities they serve—whether rural, urban, or anywhere in between.”