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Admission and Financial Aid Overview
MSE in Educational Leadership and Optional Principal Licensure
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Admission Information
Start Dates
University of Dayton’s Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Educational Leadership online program, with an optional path to principal licensure, offers class start dates three times per year — in January, May and September.
May
September
Application Deadlines
Applications are now being accepted for the start dates listed below; admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.
| Cohort Start | Early Priority Deadline | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
May 2025 | January 6, 2025 | February 3, 2025 | March 3, 2025 |
Early application is strongly recommended, and the sooner you apply, the earlier you will receive an admission decision. If you apply by the priority deadline, you will receive an application fee waiver. Contact your admission counselor to find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver prior to submitting your application.
Application Requirements
If you are looking to grow as an educational leader, share ideas and experiences, and learn from others, then we’re looking for you. Ideal candidates are committed to the field of education and able to work in collaborative learning environments.
To be eligible to apply to the MSE in Educational Leadership online program with optional principal licensure, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Provide proof of a standard or professional teaching license or professional pupil personnel services license if also applying to the optional principal licensure program.
Application Submission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MSE in Educational Leadership program, applicants must submit the following items:
- Online application
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- $50 application fee if applying after the priority deadline
- Valid teaching license if applying to the optional principal licensure program
- If applying to the optional principal licensure program, a Work Verification Form must be completed and returned by the school district superintendent, human resources director, or charter or private school administrator of the school or district. Form is sent to the applicant following submission of the application.
- Official academic records of all previously attended colleges or universities sent directly from the colleges or universities to the Office of Graduate Admission Processing. We request all transcripts be sent to:
University of Dayton
Application Processing Center
SEHS Online
PO Box 30096 021-002
College Station, TX 77842
Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.
Transcripts being sent electronically can be emailed to appsvcs@educationonline.udayton.edu to ensure delivery.
Submission of a personal essay and GRE standardized test scores (MAT or GRE) are optional. The admission committee reserves the right to request a GRE/MAT score from any applicant to make a more informed decision. We encourage you to speak with an admission counselor about whether a test score can support your application.
Take the next step toward serving communities and individuals affected by behavioral disabilities. Start your application today.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
Students enrolled in the online MSE in Educational Leadership and optional principal licensure program are charged tuition on a per-credit basis. The current rate of tuition for the MSE program is $1,175 per credit hour.
1 Based on the 2024-25 academic year cost per credit hour
Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Dayton offers multiple scholarships. To be considered for a scholarship, eligible students do not need to complete a separate application and should contact their admission counselor.
Local Scholarship
The University of Dayton values giving back to its community and offers a partial scholarship to local students. This scholarship does not require a separate application and applies to students who live in the following Ohio counties surrounding the University of Dayton:
- Butler
- Clark
- Darke
- Greene
- Miami
- Montgomery
- Preble
- Warren
If you live in one of these counties, please reach out to your admission counselor to discuss your eligibility for the local scholarship and to take the next steps.
Financial Aid
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal financial aid programs, which include federal student loans. We encourage candidates to apply for financial aid as early as possible.
You must be registered for a minimum of three credits in order to qualify for financial aid on a term basis. Students who choose to take a less accelerated path toward completion of the degree should be aware that this will affect federal financial aid eligibility.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
If you plan to apply for financial aid to help fund your online studies at the University of Dayton, you will need to complete the following steps.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Include the University of Dayton school code, which is 003127.
- Sign the FAFSA electronically using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID username and password. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can create one on the Federal Student Aid site.
Applying for PLUS Loans
Contact a financial aid counselor to evaluate your need for additional funding through sources such as a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan from the Department of Education or alternative loans from various private lenders.
- Prior to borrowing through the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program, or any additional private/alternative loan, you may need to review credit reports for potential issues. Contact any of the following credit bureaus for information: Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.
- To apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, complete the credit application PLUS Loan request on the Federal Student Aid Website.
When You Are Admitted
Upon admission to a University of Dayton program and successful completion of the federal requirements, you will receive an email in your University of Dayton email account directing you to Porches, which is our student portal.
- If you are awarded and accept a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, complete the Entrance Counseling and electronically sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) on the Federal Student Aid Website.
- Your financial aid award package will reflect all loan eligibility, which may include a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. If you are awarded a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan and choose to accept, you must not have an adverse credit history and must complete an application and appropriate MPN for this loan. If declined for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you can reapply with a co-signer (endorser) or appeal the denial through the Department of Education on the Federal Student Aid Website.
If you have any questions about tuition and financial aid at the University of Dayton, please email us at fss@udayton.edu, visit our Financial Aid FAQ page or view our Financial Aid Checklist.
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Take the next step toward serving communities and individuals affected by behavioral disabilities. Start your application today.