M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the program take?
The 36-credit program is typically completed over 8 to 9 semesters (approximately 3 years), with start dates available in fall, spring, or summer and a course sequence personalized with the program director.

What kind of fieldwork is included?
Candidates complete more than 500 hours of clinical experience embedded directly in their current school or district, exceeding Rhode Island’s minimum requirement and matching the higher clinical-hour standard used in Massachusetts.

Is the program approved by RIDE and aligned with state standards?
Yes. The program is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and aligned with the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL), NELP standards, and applicable ISTE standards.

Is the program nationally accredited?
Yes. The program is nationally accredited by AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation). 

What if I’m interested in becoming a Superintendent or Director of Special Education?
Candidates can complete additional coursework, EDL 520 (School Plant Planning) for the Superintendent pathway, or EDL 521 (Supervision of Special Education Programs & Services) for the Director of Special Education pathway. See Curriculum for details.

Admission and Application

How do I apply?
Submit a completed application through the URI Graduate School’s online application portal, selecting the M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy program.

What are the admission requirements?
Three years of professional teaching experience (or three years by the time of certification), a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation (one from the candidate’s principal), a Leadership Dispositions Self-Assessment, and a completed application with fee.

When will admission decisions be made?
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Review of applications begins approximately three to four weeks after each deadline and continues until all spaces are filled.

Can I transfer graduate credits into the program?
Up to 6 credits of graduate coursework completed elsewhere may transfer, provided the credits weren’t used toward a prior degree, were completed at a B (3.0) or better, and are approved by the program director and Graduate School.

What if I don’t have three years of teaching experience yet?
Applicants can still apply; exceptional candidates with fewer than three years may be considered. Rhode Island certification itself requires three years of professional experience by the time of certification, regardless of program admission.

Can international applicants apply?
The program is primarily intended for educators licensed in the United States. International candidates should contact the program director to discuss eligibility and certification pathways.

Tuition and Financial Aid

What is the cost of attending?
Tuition for 2026–27 is $951 per credit for in-state students and $1,852 per credit for out-of-state students. 

Is regional or reduced tuition available for New England residents?
This program is not eligible for the New England Regional Student Program (NEBHE), since every New England state already offers a comparable educational leadership and principal certification program, a core eligibility requirement for the Regional Student Program is that the applicant’s home state does not offer the degree. Out-of-state applicants pay the standard out-of-state rate.

Is financial aid available?
Students may be eligible for federal financial aid, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. Visit URI Enrollment Services for eligibility and application details.

Certification and Reciprocity

Does this program lead to principal certification in Rhode Island?
Yes. Graduates are prepared for PK-12 Building-Level Administrator certification in Rhode Island, with additional coursework available toward Superintendent or Director of Special Education certification.

Will this certification transfer if I move out of state?
Rhode Island participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which supports certification reciprocity for graduates of RIDE-approved programs across member states. Reciprocity requirements vary by state and may include additional testing, coursework, or experience thresholds; some states also apply different rules to administrator licenses than to classroom teacher licenses. Prospective out-of-state applicants should confirm current requirements directly with the receiving state’s licensing board. 

Career Outcomes

What can I do with this degree?
Graduates are prepared for PK-12 school leadership roles such as Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Curriculum Leader, or District Administrator, with additional coursework available toward Superintendent or Director of Special Education certification.

Program Differentiation

What makes this program different from other leadership programs?
The program is built around practice-based leadership rather than theory alone. Candidates work through authentic school leadership challenges, embedded fieldwork, and a curriculum grounded in equity, instructional leadership, and data-informed decision-making, aligned to RISEL and NELP standards.

Is any part of the program in person?
No. The program is delivered fully online, with no on-campus coursework requirement. Courses are completed through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online sessions. Fieldwork and internship experiences take place in the candidate’s own school or district rather than on campus. 

Does this program address AI and emerging technology in school leadership?
Coursework is informed by URI’s ongoing work in AI and educational leadership through the K-12 AI Education Collaborative. URI also offers the AI Leadership Lab for School Leaders , a standalone professional learning program for principals and assistant principals on leading AI adoption in schools, co-facilitated by the EDL program’s director.

Does the program use a cohort model?
No. Candidates develop a personalized course sequence with the program director and can begin in fall, spring, or summer, allowing more flexibility than a fixed cohort start. Internship seminars are shared with fellow candidates, providing peer community and mutual support during that phase of the program. 

Do faculty have real school leadership experience?
The program is led by a full-time program director with more than two decades of K-12 leadership experience and national leadership service as a former President of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Coursework is taught by a combination of full-time faculty and qualified part-time instructors, several of whom are practicing school leaders.

Alternative Certification Pathways

Does this program support RIDE’s Expert Residency or Fast-Track pathways?
Yes. Coursework in the URI EDL program can count toward Rhode Island’s Expert Residency and Fast-Track Principal Preliminary Certificate pathways. See the Program Handbook for full eligibility and renewal requirements.

Contact

Who do I contact with additional questions?
Program Director Dan Kelley (daniel.kelley@uri.edu) or Graduate Coordinator Vanessa Lombardi (vlombardi@uri.edu).