When it comes to education, the role of administrators is essential in ensuring schools function well and provide a healthy environment conducive to student success. School administrators, in their various positions, play a crucial role in making sure that the school system, school staff and students have everything they need to achieve the highest levels of education.
Earning a master’s degree in education administration is important in pursuing a career in the field, especially since most positions require some type of advanced degree. Learning about the different opportunities graduates of an education administration program can achieve can go a long way in helping you decide whether this career is the right one for you.
What is educational administration?
Educational administration is a field that plays a pivotal role in shaping and managing the dynamics of private and public educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, junior colleges, and universities. Educational administrators plan, coordinate, and execute the policies and practices of educational institutions so that they can function effectively.
Educational administrators have a wide range of responsibilities including strategic planning, the allocation of resources, curriculum development, personnel management and student welfare.
Impact and importance of educational administrators
Educational administrators can have a tremendous impact on shaping multiple aspects of an educational experience.
It’s no secret that an effective education system needs staff and faculty that are well-equipped for success. Educational administrators are in part responsible for making that happen. Whether it’s through the creation of a positive, collaborative environment among teachers, effective management of funds that provides staff with a resource-rich working environment, or the creation of policies that support the good work that teachers and faculty are doing, educational administrators’ handling of staff needs can have a massive impact on the overall health of the education system.
When it comes to the students, educational administrators can have even more of an impact. These professionals are often charged with determining and maintaining a school’s curriculum as well as researching and implementing the best assessment systems to ensure student success. Educational administrators are also able to allocate school funds for crucial student services like tutoring or after school programs. Other responsibilities like disciplinary action and dealing with at-risk students are essential ways to make an impact in a student’s life during a crisis.
Educational administrators also play an important role in their communities. They are often the public face of school systems and can serve as liaisons between the public and the systems they oversee. Given that they are tasked with ensuring that institutions are in keeping with the values and standards placed on them by school boards, benefactors or the public, educational administrators play a crucial role in maintaining and establishing public trust in the education system.
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Who are you called to be?
Pursue your purpose at PLNU.
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How do I become an educational administrator?
In order to succeed in the role, educational administrators can follow a diverse set of pathways. A bachelor’s degree in education administration may serve as an initial entry point, while some individuals may choose to pursue a doctorate later in their career.
However, a master’s degree is an excellent choice for working professionals seeking to advance their careers. Typically taking one to two years to complete on a full-time basis, these programs offer a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for success in administrative roles.
If you’ve been working in education for quite some time now and are looking to step into an administrative role, then obtaining a master’s degree in educational administration will set you up as a worthy candidate for these high-level leadership jobs.
5 Careers you can pursue with a master’s in educational administration
Here are five careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in educational administration:
Elementary, Middle and High School Principal
National Average Salary: $101,320 per year (2022) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Primary Duties: Principals are the most senior administrators in schools. They are in charge of determining school policies, hiring staff and overseeing the budget. Principals are also in charge of managing and determining consequences for student and staff behavior.
Projected Growth: 20,200 openings each year and on average until 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
School Superintendent
National Average Salary: $99,820 (2022) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Primary Duties: School superintendents are the most senior administrators in a school district. They are responsible for determining school policies, overseeing school operations, managing staff needs, and advocating for resources throughout a district. School superintendents are also called upon in moments of need and are usually the representatives of the school district for outside stakeholders including principals, school district staff, parents, students, school board members and the public.
Projected Growth: 1 to 5 percent until 2026 (Chron.)
Post-Secondary Deans
National Average Salary: $99,940 (2022) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Primary Duties: Post-secondary academic deans are senior school administrators for schools in higher education institutions like community colleges or universities. They are tasked with ensuring that their schools align with the standards given to them by school board members and other stakeholders. They often meet with faculty and department heads, passing on the university vision and addressing any concerns.
Projected Growth: 4 percent until 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
University Registrar
National Average Salary: $99,940 (2022) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Primary Duties: University registrars are education administrators that handle the records and registrations of postsecondary students. They are tasked with ensuring and verifying that students are meeting their graduation requirements.
Projected Growth: 4 percent until 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Education Consultant
National average salary: $59,871 per year (Indeed.com)
Primary duties: Education consultants work as advisors for educational institutions. They are typically experts in a particular aspect of education policy and advise these institutions on how they can remain compliant. Consultants can also perform assessments and data analysis on institutions and offer suggestions to help them improve their budgets, enrollment, academic efficacy, and other success factors.
Projected Growth: 19,200 openings until 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The future of educational administration
The post-pandemic era presents a unique opportunity for education administrators to innovate and reimagine educational practices. Avenues such as implementing new technologies into the learning process, expanding curricula to include a broader range of subjects, and adopting new learning methods can enhance the quality of education.
As the field continues to change, educational administrators have a chance now more than ever to shape students’ education in industry-changing ways.
An educational administration master’s degree opens doors to a variety of opportunities. The journey is marked by a commitment to creating an environment where students thrive and educators excel. As the education sector continues to evolve, those armed with the knowledge and skills from an educational administration program are well-positioned to lead the way in shaping the future of education.
PLNU offers both an M.S. and M.A. in Educational Administration. Whether you’re continuing toward a doctorate-level degree or want to dive into the world of leadership in education, PLNU has the program to prepare you to shape the future of education.
The program can be completed fully online in the state of California, providing you with the flexibility you need as a working professional. You can also complete the in-person program at PLNU’s Bakersfield Regional Center.
PLNU’s master’s in educational administration is designed to ensure you receive your preliminary administrative services credential by the time you graduate and fully equips you to become a more effective administrator.
