Online Educational Administration Degree Programs

Education administrators face excellent career prospects in the coming years. A high retirement rate coupled with a 12 percent increase in the number of jobs available is fueling demand for qualified professionals. Rising salaries will also sweeten the deal; in 2007, the national averages stood at $82,120 for K-12 and $85,870 for postsecondary administrators.

Educational administrators are important leaders, especially in a time where many schools face increasing public scrutiny and must meet national education standards. They are charged with developing programs that meet new rising standards for quality education, running educational institutions on tight budgets, monitoring student and institutional performance, and more.

Educational administrators can work in a variety of jobs, ranging from day-care administrator to college president to school principal.

K-12 Teaching Careers

School principal (elementary, middle, or secondary school leaders)
Assistant principal (assist the principal in school administration)
Program director (supervise instructional coordinators, curriculum developers, and particular school programs such as music or career education)
Preschool director

Postsecondary Education Careers (College or University)

Chief academic officer (college administrator)
Academic dean
Department chairperson
Director of student affairs
Registrar
Director of admissions
Director of financial aid
Athletic director

Becoming an Educational Administrator

Educational administrators almost always have undergraduate and advanced degrees. The minimum qualification for most positions is a Master of Education degree or a master's degree from a related field. Many high-ranking administrators have doctoral degrees, particularly at the college level.

Master of Education in Education Administration

A master's degree in education administration trains aspiring administrators in the diverse responsibilities associated with leading an educational institution. Educational administrators must have good interpersonal skills and often are required to prepare budgets, oversee students' progress, manage everyday operations, fundraise, set policies and standards, and ensure that institutions meet state and national standards.

Courses in educational administration degree programs include:

School leadership and administration
Personnel management
Public relations
Educational policy
Educational finance and budgeting
Curriculum development and evaluation
Research design and data analysis

Principals of K-12 schools and preschool center directors must receive state licenses, and the requirements vary by state. Several organizations, including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), provide national standards for educational administrators. Postsecondary administrators do not face licensing requirements.

Many administrators at both the K-12 and college level advance into their positions from teaching roles and hold degrees in a particular academic field. Courses or a two-year master's degree in education administration can aid in the transition from academic to administrative roles.

Educational administrators face competition and high requirements for educational attainment. However, for many the rewards and challenges of leading an educational institution make it worthwhile, and administrators generally report high job satisfaction. A favorable job market and high salaries also make this a popular career path.