Online Bachelor's Degree in Educational and Community Leadership
Complete your degree 100% online with the same faculty, curriculum and accreditation as SJSU on-campus students.
Create Change and Tackle Inequality
The educational and community leadership way of thinking combines academic disciplines and empowers students to promote change for social justice, which is in demand by employers like the City of San José, San José Unified School District, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Stanford University, and many more. Develop comprehensive leadership, problem solving, communication, and advocacy skills for a fulfilling career in the arts and design, community and social services, education, media and communication, operations, and beyond.
Program Information
Modality
Online
Program Format
8-week courses · 5 terms year-round
Program Length
2 years · 60 units
Cost Per Unit
$525* for Fall 2026 · Financial aid and scholarships available
Applications Open
February 1 – July 15 for Fall A start
Start Terms
Fall A · Spring A · Summer
How to Apply
General Requirements
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Complete at least 60 transferable semester or 90 quarter units. A maximum of 70 semester units from community colleges can be transferred toward the degree. Depending on the program, you could have as few as 50 semester units at the time of application.
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Complete all four CSU-approved general education requirements with a grade C- or higher.
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(A1) Oral Communication/Speech
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(A2) Written English Composition
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(A3) Critical Thinking/Logic
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(B4) Math/Quantitative Reasoning
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Have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Program-Specific Requirements
Students who choose the Early Childhood Education Specialization in the program must also have or find access to field placement in a suitable early childhood setting.
Out-of-State Eligibility
If you live outside of California, check whether our program is approved to accept an application from you.
Students from Oregon enrolled in an SJSU Online and Professional Education program will be subject to Oregon State requirements for transferring course works. Specifically, a grade of “C” or better must be earned in all General Education courses.
Graduation Requirement
Complete all CSU Lower Division General Education requirements.
To view the program's courses, roadmap, and more, visit the Interdisciplinary Studies, Educational and Community Leadership, BA catalog webpage.
To Begin in August (Fall Term A):
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Apply between February 1 – July 1.
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Complete admissions requirements by no later than the previous spring term.
To Begin in January (Spring Term A):
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Apply between August 1 – November 1.
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Complete admissions requirements by no later than the previous fall term.
To Begin in June (Summer Term):
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Apply between December 1 – April 1.
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Complete admissions requirements by no later than the previous fall term.
Choose an Application Cycle
Review the application cycle dates and deadlines for this program to determine what timeline works best for you. We admit applicants on a rolling basis, so you should apply as early as you can during your preferred application cycle to secure your spot while it's still available.
Prepare Your Transcripts
Gather your transcripts from the colleges or universities where you have been enrolled so you can easily enter that information on your application and maximize the number of credits you transfer. All academic information you report on your application must be verified with your official transcripts. Any discrepancy affecting your eligibility could result in the withdrawal of your application or admission.
Review the Admission Requirements
Review our general admission requirements any program-specific admission requirements to ensure you can submit a strong application. If you don't meet all of the requirements at this time, our Enrollment Counseling team will happily work with you to get you in a position to submit a successful application in the near future.
Meet with Your Enrollment Counselor
Schedule an appointment with an Enrollment Counselor to discuss your questions, complete an unofficial transcript review, and more.
Apply through Cal State Apply
Watch our video tutorial above or select any of the bookmarks below for steps to guide you through your application.
For more support, you can also view the Cal State Apply Transfer Application Guide.
Attend a Virtual Info Session
Join us to learn how our online Educational and Community Leadership degree-completion program will give you a real-world edge!
Valuable Learning Experiences
Our program combines courses from our Departments of Child and Adolescent Development, Communicative Disorders and Sciences, Educational Leadership, Special Education and Teacher Education and includes plenty of opportunities to apply your learning within and beyond your classes. Completing our program will enhance your ability to:
- Demonstrate leadership skills that promote change for the betterment of all individuals within a community system.
- Create interdisciplinary strategies to manage challenges within one’s professional field.
- Advocate an anti-racist approach to establish social justice with diverse communities.
Featured Courses
Inclusive Education Specialization
Prepare to work with diverse communities – both in school and beyond school education settings – through pathways such as teacher credential programs, special education credential programs, afterschool programs, and resource coordinators. Complete special education credential courses so that you can later complete a special education credential at SJSU with fewer courses and enroll in the credential as an intern.
Early Childhood Education Specialization
Prepare to qualify for a Master Teacher and Site Supervisor Early Childhood Permit. This pathway is recommended if you are interested in later pursuing a credential to become a transitional kindergarten (TK) teacher or a career working with children ages 0–5 and their families.
What can you do with an Educational and Community Leadership degree?
Through exposure to a curriculum that explores societal inequities and methods to accentuate strengths of a community and of its members, you will develop leadership skills that apply to a wide range of careers in education, child and youth services, community organizations, and social services.
Education administrators in the Bay Area earn an average annual salary of $65,000 and an upper range of $106,000, according to Glassdoor.
Take a look at some of the top sectors, top companies, and examples of job titles of our alumni, according to LinkedIn.
Top Job Titles
- Counselor
- Donor and data coordinator
- Elementary teacher
- Health and wellness advisor
- Operations director
- Program manager
- Resource specialist
Top Companies
- City of San José
- East Side Union High School District
- Palo Alto Unified School District
- San José Unified School District
- Santa Clara Unified School District
- SJSU
- Stanford University
Top Sectors
- Arts and design
- Business development
- Community and social services
- Education
- Media and communication
- Operations
Expert Faculty and Diverse Classmates
Learn about the expertise of our Educational and Community Leadership faculty and how our program is enabling students from all walks of life to accomplish their goals.
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Undergraduate Admissions
Review our admission requirements and utilize our helpful enrollment counselors throughout your application experience.
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Costs and Financial Aid
Learn how to minimize the cost of your program through financial aid, grants, scholarships and additional aid resources.
See Cost and Aid
Undergraduate Student Experience
Maximize your online learning experience with academic advising, helpful campus resources, and diverse classmates.
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