Getting Started in a Career in Educational Administration

Educational administrators are the backbone--and the face--of any school or institution. Educational administrators oversee the back end of learning, establishing curriculum, educational standards, and goals. In turn they supervise their implementation, as well as manage support staff, teachers, coaches, and counselors. They also direct career counseling, prepare budgets, and keep records. In short, they provide direction and management for a school or university. But they also are the front line in parent and student interaction and serve as the face of the school to the community. As such, strong interpersonal and communication skills are a must.

Educational Administration: Getting Started

Earning a degree in educational administration or educational leadership can lead to one of many exciting-- and often lucrative--opportunities in the field of education. Today, teaching is the most common path to a career in educational leadership.

A school principal, assistant principal and many staff positions in administration most often are "hired up" from teaching positions. Those working in college administration usually start out as professors of their respective departments before advancing to dean of the department or eventually rising to provost of the college. However, some administrators move up from staff positions within a school district, such as recruiter, admissions, or financial aid counselor. And some administrators and superintendents are hired on from similar positions at other schools or districts.

Online Degree in Educational Administration

Most public schools require a master's degree in educational administration for principals, assistant principals, or administrative positions within the school district. High-ranking university positions typically require a doctoral degree, as well as a proven track record.

But the path to these positions is typically easier than you might think. Dozens of accredited universities offer online degree programs with a global focus to give working professionals a convenient way to boost their careers in the educational field. Classes typically are tailored to satisfy licensure and certification requirements and can be completed at night, during the weekend or during teaching breaks.

Educational Administration: Career Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that teachers in the United States earned the following median salaries in 2008:

• Elementary school: $49,330
• Middle School: $49,700
• High School: $51,180

On the other hand--according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics--the median annual salary for educational administrators in 2008 was $83,880. At the post-secondary level, educational administrators earned $80,670.

The top paying states? For elementary and secondary schools, the list includes Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey. The highest-paying metropolitan regions in the U.S. in 2008 were:

• Nassau-Suffolk, NY
• Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI

Large numbers of administrators are expected to retire during the next decade, providing excellent opportunities for advancement in education administration. And opportunities for international postings abound, with markets emerging in Dubai, China, Europe and South Korea, to name a few.