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Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership

If your passion is teaching and you want to advance your career to become a principal or supervisor, then the Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership (MA-IL) at Northern Kentucky University is an ideal program for you.

The MA-IL program at NKU will prepare you for an administrative principal position in elementary through secondary schools and provide in-service opportunities for administrators who want to improve their professional competence. The MAIL program prepares students to sit for the principal licensure exam in Kentucky. Check with your state certification policy outside of Kentucky.

The online MA-IL program allows the working professional to complete the 33 credit hour degree within 16 months by taking six credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and nine to twelve in the summer term. Full-time enrollment is also available for students who want to complete the program sooner. Students may enter the program in the summer semester.

Admission Process

If you are a certified teacher with one year of teaching experience and are interested in applying for admission to the MA-IL program, please follow the steps below.

   1. Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission with a $25 non-refundable application fee by May 1 for summer enrollment. If you experience problems or have questions regarding the application, please contact The Graduate Programs Office at 859-572-1555 or E-mail gradprog@nku.edu.
   2. Possess a bachelor degree or international equivalent and request official transcripts from all institutions attended to be mailed directly to NKU, Office of Graduate Programs, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099. Please note that your undergraduate GPA must be 2.5 or higher.
   3. Submit a written essay and 3 letters of professional recommendation (i.e. principal, supervisor, superintendent or other teachers).
   4. Submit GRE scores totaling a minimum of 900.

To learn more about the application process, please visit NKU's Graduate Programs website. The College of Education and Human Services will notify you when your application requirements are complete to schedule a program interview. For more information about Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership program, complete the informational form.