Master of Education in Leadership in Academic Innovation Online
Prepare to lead innovation in K-12 schools. This online M.Ed. program equips you with technology-forward leadership and instructional design expertise for modern advancement.
Program Overview
Help lead schools into the future with your M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation
Earning your Master of Education in Leadership in Academic Innovation prepares you to guide future-ready K-12 schools through instructional redesign, technology integration and innovation-driven leadership. This online M.Ed. program builds on principal-preparation best practices with coursework focused on leading digital learning environments, instructional design and campus-wide change.
Field-based leadership assignments are embedded throughout the program and can be completed within your current school or district. A supervised 15-week internship provides applied leadership experience aligned to innovation, instructional design and technology integration. Principal certification requirements vary by state and must be met separately.
In this online Master of Education program, you’ll learn how to:
- Lead technology integration and digital learning initiatives in K-12 settings
- Design and support instructional improvements using modern learning models
- Apply data-informed decision-making to school improvement efforts
- Plan and lead change initiatives that support campus goals and continuous improvement
- Evaluate programs and practices to strengthen learning outcomes
- Lead teams through innovation-focused leadership practices aligned to school and district needs
- Lead technology integration and digital learning initiatives in K-12 settings
- Design and support instructional improvements using modern learning models
- Apply data-informed decision-making to school improvement efforts
- Plan and lead change initiatives that support campus goals and continuous improvement
- Evaluate programs and practices to strengthen learning outcomes
- Lead teams through innovation-focused leadership practices aligned to school and district needs
Career outcomes for the M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation include:
- Assistant Principal
- Principal (with additional state certification requirements)
- Instructional Technology Coordinator
- Instructional Coach or Learning Design Specialist
- Digital Learning Specialist
- School Improvement Specialist
- Director of Online or Blended Learning
- Director of Academic Support and Innovation
- Assistant Principal
- Principal (with additional state certification requirements)
- Instructional Technology Coordinator
- Instructional Coach or Learning Design Specialist
- Digital Learning Specialist
- School Improvement Specialist
- Director of Online or Blended Learning
- Director of Academic Support and Innovation
Tuition
Invest in your M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing a M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership in Academic Innovation M.Ed. | $360 | $1,080 | $10,802 |
*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.
Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.
Financial Aid
Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Find a start date that fits your schedule
Our master’s in leadership in academic innovation online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.
| 8 week courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 8/18/26 | 7/28/26 | 8/4/26 | 8/11/26 | 10/9/26 |
| Fall 1 | 10/12/26 | 9/21/26 | 9/28/26 | 10/6/26 | 12/12/26 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Know what you need to apply to the leadership in academic innovation M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Teaching Certificate
- Minimum 2.5 Undergraduate GPA
University Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay an application fee of $25.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
- Conferred degree GPAs will be used for admission purposes. Applicants with a conferred master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and above will be accepted.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement must perform at or above a score equivalent to a 2.7 GPA on the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytic Writing sections of the GRE® (Graduate Record Examinations) revised General Test
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Waivers of any experience or certification requirements will be initiated by Lamar University Admissions staff as necessary in instances where they may not apply, such as applications from states that do not require certification for licensure.
Out-of-state students should check with their state department of education to determine if there are specific state requirements needed.
Department of Educational Leadership Admission Requirements
The Department of Educational Leadership requires the following for admission to the department programs. Instructions for the department application and reference will be e-mailed to you after your ApplyTexas application is processed. Instructions for submitting the other documents will be e-mailed separately if you are accepted to the program.
- Department application with essay responses
- Reference from a principal or assistant principal who has supervised you
- Valid teaching certificate.** This does not include a probationary or permit issued certificate.
- Two years teaching experience. Applicants seeking certification in Texas should request a service record with an authorized signature from their HR office.
- Employment: Applicants seeking certification in Texas must have access to a TEA-approved public or private school campus and site supervisor to conduct practicum/internship activities.*** However, applicants are not required to be currently employed at a TEA-approved campus. To determine if your school is TEA approved, please use the following links: public school or private school.
View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas. Students who do not conduct practicum activities on an approved campus in Texas are not eligible to apply for certification in Texas or take the Texas principal certification exam/assessment.
Send all required documents to:
Lamar University Online Admissions
PO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710
OR
Submit electronically to luadmtran@lamar.edu
*All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.
**Please note that out-of-state students may not be required to meet this criteria.
***Not applicable to out-of-state students unless taking the TExES Principal Exam.
As a passionate advocate for new technology, I am constantly interested in the challenge of how to make the online educational experience the best it can be for our students.
Craig Escamilla, Lamar University Faculty
View Craig Escamilla's profile »Courses
M.Ed. in Leadership in Academic Innovation courses built for real roles
Students are required to complete 30 hours of coursework as outlined in the degree plan. The Internship course (EDLD 5398) is the capstone course and requires that all other courses are successfully completed to enroll. Courses are offered on a rotational basis and not all courses are offered each session. EDLD 5302, 5303, and 5398 are offered every session.
The Texas Education Agency requires students in online programs who live and work out of state and who plan to apply for Texas Principal Certification to undergo review of teaching credentials by the Texas Education Agency. The cost to the candidate for this service is $180.
View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.
Note: Lamar University Graduate Education Programs do not permit students to take coursework for transient credit.
