Why Get an Online Master's Degree in Educational Administration?
Educational administrators can pursue a variety of positions in either K-12 or higher education. They can work as principals, curriculum developers, superintendents, or deans.
Administrators are responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing all aspects of day-to-day school activities. They also work on long-term projects.
Most professionals need at least five or more years before advancing to administrative roles. But K-12 schools may demand less experience. These professionals can read blogs for teachers and administrators to discover career paths and keep up with education news.
Aspiring school administrators must earn a master's degree in the field. A master's prepares learners for licensure or certification, which is required for all public institutions and varies by state.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects postsecondary educational administrator jobs to grow 4% from 2022-2032, about as fast as average. These professionals also make salaries above the national average for all occupations. They earn a median annual salary of $99,940. K-12 principals, in comparison, earn a median salary of $101,320 annually.
Given the busy schedules of working teachers, online master's degrees have become increasingly popular in recent years. Online degrees provide the same rigor and quality curriculum as traditional on-campus options. Below, find our top five online master's in educational administration degree picks.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master's in Educational Administration Programs 2023
How Much Does an Online Educational Administration Degree Cost?
Online master's in educational administration tuition vary based on school reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, program length, and more. Programs usually have 30-36 credits and cost a total of $15,000-$25,000.
Students can reduce upfront costs by obtaining financial aid, which includes scholarships, grants, and loans. Private and public institutions offer financial aid and have different requirements. Graduates will need to repay loans while scholarships and grants do not require repayment.
Additional Online Student Fees
Attendees should budget for additional fees aside from tuition. Schools may have mandatory fees to cover the costs of sports facilities, graduation, or environmental protection programs. Students may also have costs directly related to courses, including books or software.
Online enrollees can save money on moving expenses and campus housing, but still require budgeting for the cost-of-living. Individuals need to set aside funds for food, transportation, and utilities.
Career and Salary Outlook for Educational Administration Students
Online master's in educational administration degree-holders can pursue administrative roles in all levels of education. Graduates can utilize their skills in principal, postsecondary education administrator, and childcare center director roles. These roles are a fraction of available careers for experts in educational administration. Other roles may require additional education, certifications, or experience.
Professionals in this field do not usually need internships, but some online masters in educational administration require an internship before graduation.
Students can gain hands-on experience through internships, which can be applied to roles in educational administration. The table below demonstrates some relevant educational administration roles and related salaries.
| Educational Administration Career | Median Annual Wage (2021) |
|---|---|
| Principal | $101,320 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $66,490 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $99,940 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $80,840 |
| Childcare Center Director | $49,690 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Graduates of educational administration programs can pursue multiple career paths as programs provide an assortment of courses in different subject matters.
Courses in a Master's in Educational Administration Program
Enrollees in master's in education administrative programs study how to effectively help institutions set academic standards, run schools efficiently, and solve problems. Programs focus on teaching how to design curriculums, oversee programs, and coordinate school activities.
Attendees usually take a combination of core and specialized courses. Specialization courses help students meet education objectives and courses may include introduction to education leadership, school finance, and instructional leadership.
The section below includes three common courses found in online master's in educational administration curriculums. These courses may not be found in every curriculum, but represent the average program's learning objectives.
School Finance
School finance courses discuss how public primary and secondary schools finance their operations. Enrollees will study revenue sources, economic theories, and the impact of public policies.
Graduates can use course learnings to manage a school's budget to create a safe learning environment.
Leadership in Education
Leadership in education classes provide theories and examples of different leadership styles. Students will learn the impacts of leadership in unique situations, contexts, and in relationship to various groups of people.
Professionals can use the knowledge from this course to understand their personal leadership style and how their choice can affect people around them.
Curriculum Development
Curriculum development helps attendees understand the principles of creating a curriculum, potential issues, and relevant social factors. This course covers data and analysis to help students evaluate curriculum success and issues.
Educational leaders should be able to use these skills to discuss curriculums with coworkers and make recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Leadership
What do you learn in educational administration?
Educational administration programs prepare enrollees to pursue school leadership opportunities through learning how to create a positive learning environment, manage resources, and communicate with other education professionals to achieve goals.
Is a Master's in educational administration worth it?
Individuals with a passion for education and administration may find a master's program worth the time and financial commitment. Graduates can pursue roles as a principal, administrator, or instructional coordinator at any education level.
What is the difference between a school manager and an educational administrator?
School managers and educational administrators have similar roles, but differ in how they achieve their goals. Administrators focus on policy-making and managing individuals to meet education objectives while managers work with other employees and internal resources to achieve goals.
Page last reviewed November 15, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the BCR Rankings Team.
