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Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Applicants for this program must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and provide documentation of two years of verified teaching experience. For more details on graduate and doctoral admission requirements, fill out the form on this page and a university counselor will contact you.
This online course of study allows you to complete the MEd coursework on your own schedule. You will be taught how to drive positive change in your school and community by providing the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges of educational administration, preparing you for leadership roles within educational settings.
You will study advanced techniques to apply business principles and financial analysis to educational institutions and organizations. Having the flexibility of an online learning system can help working professionals balance their educational goals with their personal and professional responsibilities.1
GCU has held institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1968, signifying its commitment to academic quality. Accreditation from reputable organizations like the HLC and state boards can help ensure you receive quality education from a university that meets rigorous standards of academic excellence and integrity.
We’ve prepared answers to a few frequently asked questions about our master’s program to help you decide whether this degree is right for you.
Yes, you can get a master's in educational administration with a school business and finance emphasis with a bachelor's degree unrelated to finance or business. It’s important to note that admission requirements will vary depending on the institution you choose and the program you apply to. A background in business or finance, mathematics, economics or engineering may be required.
School leadership can be a challenging field that requires a strong foundation in mathematics, economics and other related subjects. This graduate-level program offers a significant amount of independent study, research and coursework where you may be expected to analyze complex financial data, develop business strategies and write research papers. When evaluating the difficulty of a degree program, it’s important to consider the potential hurdles and how you can put a plan in place to help you address them and stay on track to completion.
Acquiring a master's of education from an accredited program, whether on campus or online, can lay a strong foundation for a career in finance, business and education. Learn more about GCU’s institutional accreditation and the College of Education accreditation.
Yes, this master’s degree with an emphasis in business and financial management in education typically requires a certain level of math proficiency. The exact math requirements can vary, but many programs will expect students to have a strong foundation in mathematical concepts such as statistics, economics and accounting. Additionally, some curricula may require coursework in advanced mathematical topics such as financial modeling, data analysis and decision science.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
This degree, offered by the College of Education, is a regionally accredited program approved by the State of Arizona. It aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL, 2015) led by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA, 2018).
1 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences and student teaching.
The College of Education aims to help you achieve a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices within an educational administration setting. This degree is designed to cultivate leadership skills and business acumen relevant to the education industry, empowering you to explore opportunities as an educational administrator.
Upon completing your master’s of education in educational administration and business and finance courses, you will have had exposure to specialized areas such as:
Entrepreneurship
Ethical decision-making
Finance
Leadership
Marketing
Strategic planning
Candidates for the position of principal must be prepared to complete three practicum/field experiences that add up to a minimum of 300 hours of classroom experience.
Courses are taught by knowledgeable practitioners in their respective fields who share wisdom and experience in areas such as:
Administrative foundations
Creating and sustaining positive school cultures
Curriculum development
Empowerment of teachers
Business finance
Instructional and school leadership
PK–12 legal issues
Professional development
The exploration of these mission-driven ventures within this master’s of education in educational administration program aims to serve both local communities as well as the greater good of society.
You will explore the laws and policies that govern pre-K–12 education in the United States. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of essential topics within the educational community, such as:
A principal's ethical decision-making and implementation of laws, rights, policies and regulations to improve student outcomes is a primary focus when teaching legal issues.
Learning about the critical role of leaders in establishing and maintaining a positive school culture and a shared vision is critical in this master’s degree. Through exploring various settings, contexts and leadership scenarios, you can discover how to develop and manage productive relationships with students, families and the educational community to foster growth. You will be taught effective communication strategies when working with community stakeholders while focusing on diverse contexts and situations.
Creating effective and safe learning environments that facilitate school improvement initiatives is an important concept to master. Through exploring research-based best practices, you will be taught how to establish organized, respectful and consistent learning environments. The curriculum emphasizes inclusive and culturally responsive practices, while character education is also addressed to promote the social, emotional and behavioral well-being of all school community stakeholders and to maintain a positive learning environment.
Graduates with an MEd in Educational Administration degree can have a range of career paths available across both education and business sectors. For example:
With a focus on ethical decision-making, leadership and strategic planning, you can work toward making a positive impact in your organizations and communities.
The Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Administration with an Emphasis in School Business and Finance from Grand Canyon University aims at bridging the gap between education and business. This program is ideal for educators who desire to deepen their skill set of business and its applications in education administration and for those passionate about shaping educational environments within a pre-K through grade 12 setting. If you are seeking a principal’s license and would like to focus on business finance, you have the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the financial and managerial aspects of education in this program.
All Educational Administration Emphases
Take the next step in your educational journey with an MEd in Educational Administration and develop skills in efficient school resource management.
