Educational Administration Graduate Programs

Most education administrators begin their careers as teachers and advance their careers with a master’s or doctoral degree in educational administration. Educational administration graduate programs prepare students to direct daily activities and provide instructional direction in day care centers, preschools schools, colleges and universities. Graduates typically become principals, assistant principals, central office administrators, academic deans or preschool directors.

Search our directory of campus educational administration graduate degree programs.

Search our directory of online educational administration graduate degree programs.

Educational Administration Graduate Programs and Curriculum

As you consider earning a graduate degree in educational administration, it’s important to recognize if you have the following skills and traits:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Leadership and decision making skills
Determination and motivation
Confidence
Creativity and resourcefulness
Ability to organize and coordinate

These are important qualities to possess when working in the education field. In addition, candidates for a graduate degree in educational administration typically must have worked as teachers before moving into a higher administrative position.

Coursework varies by program, as well as areas of concentration; however there are several topics that will be covered in most educational administration graduate programs such as:

School/institution administrations
Human resources
School/institution law
Program evaluation/assessment
Finance
Research
Curriculum/program/education planning
Evaluation and development
Leadership

Depending upon program and degree level, earning a graduate degree in educational administration may culminate in a thesis, research project and/or internship.

Most states require licensing at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels of educational administration. To qualify for licensing, educational administrators must have a graduate-level degree, hands-on training, and in some cases, pass a standardized test. Once licensed, many states require educational administrators to take continuing education courses to maintain their license.

Educational Administration Career Paths

Education administrators are needed in many levels of education including preschool, elementary education, secondary education and in colleges and universities. Such positions at the preschool, elementary, and secondary level include principals and vice principals, school directors and school district administrators. At the postsecondary level, these positions include provosts, dean positions, department heads or chairpersons, vice president of student affairs, registrars, directors of admissions and financial aid directors.

Their responsibilities may include the following:

Establishing goals, policies and procedures
Managing and inspiring staff, teachers, and employees
Developing academic programs and student services
Handling records and finances
Handling relationships with parents, students, and the community

When pursuing an educational administration degree, it is important to have career goals in mind, since depending on your position of choice; a master’s degree may not suffice. In some cases, you will need to earn a Ph.D. in educational administration in order to obtain career goals such as provost or dean positions at a university.

Educational Administration Future Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for educational administrators are expected to grow by approximately 8 percent by 2018. The growth is expected as a result of retirements with little competition to fill these positions. Principals and assistant principals should have excellent job prospects because a sharp increase in responsibilities in recent years has made the job more stressful and has discouraged some teachers from taking positions in administration. Furthermore, competition for higher education administrative jobs will be low as fewer applicants are expected for nonacademic administrative jobs, such as director of admissions or director of student affairs.

Educational-Administration-average-annual-salary

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Type: Online
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Gwynedd - Mercy College
Online Master of Science in Educational Administration – K-12 Principal Certification
.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Gwynedd - Mercy College
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Ann Arbor,MI
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Masters of Science Educational Leadership (MSEL)
Graduate Studies for P-12 Educators
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Concordia University Ann Arbor
Hide More
Type: Online
Level: Masters
Thomas Edison State College
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership serves adults who wish to prepare for roles as school and district leaders.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Thomas Edison State College
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Doctorate
Boca Raton,FL
Lynn University
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Learn to lead high-performing organizations and connect research with practice, with the option to specialize in K–12 Leaders...
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Lynn University
Hide More

Type: Campus

Level:

View More Programs

University of Southampton

Higher Education Management

This program is offered at multiple campus locations.
View All 2 Campus Locations

Southampton,GB	Learn More
Southampton,United Kingdom	Learn More

Hide Locations

Visit Site Request Info

Type: Online
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Lock Haven University
Master of Education: Alternative Education
The 100% Online Alternative Education prepares educators for work with at-risk children and youth.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Lock Haven University
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Pasadena,CA
Pacific Oaks College
M.A. in Early Childhood Education
Students in this program learn about essential principles and theories of pedagogy and child development
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Pacific Oaks College
Hide More
Type: Online
Level: Masters
California State University Northridge
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Master of Arts
Help Shape the Future of Education in California with an Online Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration (ELPS)
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: California State University Northridge
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Thousand Oaks,CA
California Lutheran University
Educational Leadership
The faculty of the Educational Leadership program of the School of Education at California Lutheran University is dedicated t...
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: California Lutheran University
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level:
Doctorate
Masters
View More Programs
Phoenix,AZ
Argosy University
Initial Education Administration

Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Argosy University
Hide More
Type: Online
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Concordia University, Portland
Master of Education in eLearning / Technology Education
Encourage reflection and higher order (critical) thinking skills through online teaching and learning while applying best
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Concordia University, Portland
Hide More
Type: Online
Level: Masters
Kaplan University
M.S. in Higher Education - College Administration and Leadership
A master's degree could help you advance your administrative career in postsecondary education institutions.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Kaplan University
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Masters
View More Programs
Albany,NY
College Of Saint Rose
College Student Services Administration MSED
The master's program in College Student Services Administration prepares students for entry- to mid-level positions in the
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: College Of Saint Rose
Hide More
Type: Online
Level: Masters
View More Programs
University of San Diego
M.Ed. Online in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Inclusive Education
This specialization explores classroom design and curriculum development that support equal learning opportunities.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: University of San Diego
Hide More
Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Shippensburg,PA
Shippensburg University
School Administration
For teachers who wish to move into educational leadership and policy, and/or to prepare for a doctoral program in the field.
Video
Photos
Read More Visit Site Request Info
- More Matching Programs Offered By: Shippensburg University
Hide More