Course Overview!

The Master of Arts in Educational Administration program at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in K-12 education. The program emphasizes research, data assessment, school law, finance, and instructional leadership. Students develop skills in collaboration, social justice, and ethical decision-making within diverse school communities. The curriculum combines coursework, fieldwork experiences, and a culminating project (thesis, project, or comprehensive exam) to ensure a comprehensive understanding of educational administration. The program aims to produce highly skilled educational leaders equipped to navigate the complex challenges of modern education.

Course Structure

The program requires a minimum of 36 units, with at least 36 units at the 5000-level. Core courses cover introduction to educational administration, educational leadership, research and data assessment, pluralism, collaboration, and social justice, school law, instructional leadership, and school management and finance. Students also complete fieldwork experiences in each of these areas. A culminating experience is required, consisting of either a comprehensive exam, a thesis, or a project, along with a digital portfolio. At least 22 semester units must be completed in residence at Cal State LA. There are restrictions on credit earned in variable-unit courses.