From day care to university, education administrators are in charge, managing and communicating with employees, parents and students. One administrator could oversee a course of instruction that includes different grades or majors. Education leadership professionals need to be prepared for a challenging career that comes with big rewards.
U.S. News & World Report lists Education Administrator on its list of 50 Best Careers of 2010 and notes that the career ranks in the top five careers in terms of job satisfaction according to the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center. Online education leadership degrees offer flexibility to help you prepare for this career and balance your studies with your current responsibilities.
Education leadership: education and training
Public schools, principals, assistant principals and school district administrators often have master's degrees in education administration or educational leadership. Some principals and central office administrators have a doctorate or specialized degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many states require a school administrator license for principals. Preschool and child care center directors typically hold a license or a specialized credential. Administrators generally have teaching experience as well as graduate degrees, and those enrolled in online education leadership degree programs may be working as full-time educators.
Education leaders need to be familiar with a range of computer applications, according to the Department of Labor's O*NET website. Tools of the trade may include database user interface and query software and enterprise resource planning or ERP software, with specialized applications for the education field such as virtual school management programs. Online education leadership degrees offer aspiring administrators a chance to update their technical expertise while continuing their own teaching careers.
Education leadership: career outlook and salary
Wages vary strongly according to the level of the institution and the leadership position or rank. For example, a survey by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources listed the median salary of a Director of Student Activities as $55,608 for the 2010-11 school year. The variety in compensation is shown in these mean annual wages from 2010 reported by the BLS:
- Education administrators, preschool and child care: $50,410
- Education administrators, all other: $81,870
- Education administrators, elementary and secondary school: $89,990
- Education administrators, postsecondary: $96,680
The BLS projects an overall 8 percent increase in employment between 2008 and 2018, with solid prospects in general. The strongest growth is expected in the preschool and child care sectors, with slower growth in elementary and secondary administration. Regardless of the path you choose in the field, campus-based and online education leadership degree programs offer professional skills and essential knowledge for this specialized management career.
From day care to university, education administrators are in charge, managing and communicating with employees, parents and students. One administrator could oversee a course of instruction that includes different grades or majors. Education leadership professionals need to be prepared for a challenging career that comes with big rewards.
U.S. News & …
