Graduate Degree Programs in Educational Leadership Administration in New York City

Another reason you’ll need a master’s degree has to do with licensure. In most states, public school principals need a license. The same is true for superintendents. It is common that the master's degree is a criterion for eligibility.

Third is the potential to earn more as you take on extra responsibility. One study, for instance, took a look at Education Administrators. They found that those with a master's degree earned 44% more than those with a bachelor's’ degree.

Most Education Administrators (postsecondary) work full time. They work mainly in:

• Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
• Junior Colleges
• Technical and trade Schools
• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Other types of schools and instruction

7,122 degrees are reported by the National Center for Education Statistics under the category of Human Resources Management/personnel/administration. In fact, in the most recent update of the data (2009/10), across the U.S., there were 3,837 degrees awarded to graduate students. The majority (99%) of these programs were at the master's level.

Educational Leadership or Doctor of Educational Leadership?

A popular query among students is which degree in educational leadership to pursue. Both the Master's and Doctorate in Education Leadership offer unique courses and outcomes.

A MA in Educational Leadership often requires up to 36 credits. It may expose you research-based tactics. You’ll often learn how to apply make data-driven decisions. These relate to teaching, student learning and school leadership. Some such programs offer a pathway to licensure. A credential necessary for most principals and superintendents.

Such programs often feature internships and business classes. In tandem, they may help you hone your own style of leading. You’ll also be credits closer to a PhD or Doctor of Educational Leadership.

University settings often demand a higher level of education. Deans and university provosts generally need a doctorate degree. If this is your goal you might think about a Doctor of Education. These programs often span 54 credits and allow you to choose an emphasis. Educational leadership and Learning in Organizations is one example.

Such programs may help you make sense of industry research. Then apply findings to your classroom, school or course content. You may thus learn to identify, assess and resolve operations in the workplace. This may help if you are a current educator and want to refine your approach.

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A PhD in Educational Leadership is a research degree. Unlike the EdD, a PhD involves forging new ideas through independent inquiry. Through a wide range of topics, it may help you learn ethical managerial skills. Also, it may be a useful and holistic way to develop as a problem solver and to: Develop subject matter expertise Plan and develop curriculums Learn analytical methods In some schools (Capella is one), the PhD in Educational Leadership comes with a choice of emphasis in school or district leadership. In others, you might focus on college administration and management (E.g. Purdue)

You might also choose a PhD to ready you to pursue licensure as a K-12 principal or superintendent. Apart from this possible outcome, the PhD is well known as a pathway towards:

• Thought Leadership and Independent Research
• Chief Executive in University Setting
• University Faculty Position
• Collegiate Teaching

If your end game involves any of these, a PhD may have a leg up on a Master’s in Educational Leadership. It may be worthwhile to keep all options open.

What Requirements Are Needed for Educational Leadership?

To enroll in an educational leadership program, you’ll often need three things. A bachelor’s degree, teaching certificate and experience.

In a typical program, classes focus is on being an agent of change. You’ll study a range of topics and complete a final project or internship. Along the way, you may learn about your own style as a leader and how to leverage it in a chosen setting. It all depends on which program you pick.

There is a full menu of Masters (MA, MS, MEd EdS) and Doctorate (EdD, PhD) programs to choose from. Each may further allow one to explore a specific area such as:

• Early Childhood Leadership
• Educational Leadership (Non-Licensure)
• Online Learning and Leadership
• Principal Leadership
• Special Education

If pursuing licensure is your goal, check program details and state board. Licensure may cover areas like building principal, assistant principal, or athletic director.

We’ll discuss a few programs and classes to give you a feel for where your interests lie.

MA in Literacy Education

This type of program may help in the pursuit of a PK-12 Reading Specialist/Consultant Certificate. Topics may include areas like reading difficulties and children’s literature.

MEd in Instructional Leadership

This type of program is about teacher leadership. It may ready teachers to lead in their class, district or school.

MS in Education - Educational Theory and Practice

This type of program may help in the pursuit of National Board Certification. It may cover curriculum theory in depth. As such, one may learn to improve student outcomes.

MS in Student Affairs in Higher Education

This type of program may look at the day to day operations in a university. It may help you grow skills as an administrator. Some topics focus on student affairs theories and diversity. These may cover areas like advising, student activities and life on campus.

MEd in Curriculum and Instruction

This kind of program focuses the design, development, and uses of curriculums. One often learns to make sense of data and apply it to teach students. It may appeal to those who want to shape policy or train other teachers

EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration

This type of program often suits students with a master’s degree who want further credentials. It may ready you to lead and promote in the area of student achievement.

Doctor of Management: Private Sector Higher Education Leadership

Classes may ready you to pursue senior level academic positions in private institutions. This type of program may boost skills as a manager and leader. It may cover areas like how to set policy. Also, you'll often study how take charge of resources, staff and outcomes.

What Classes Will I Take?

Some themes address administrative strategies and skills. For instance, school finance and scheduling. Others may touch on student assessment, community outreach and school law. These may help you excel as a principal, administration leader, researcher or teacher.

Education Law and Ethics: In this class, one might look at the legal aspects of leadership. In this class, one might look at the legal aspects of leadership. Topics may get into things like due process, search and seizure and sexual misconduct.

Curriculum Development: This class may ready you to plan and build curriculums. Topics may cover both theory and methods. The goal is often to uncover areas that need an upgrade.

Improving Instruction: In this class one may learn to use data to make decisions about how to teach. There may be a discussion of student outcomes and how to improve them.
Organizational Management: In this class you may look at how to line up all types of resources. Then use a systems approach to make a school safe place for teaching and learning.

Educational Leadership Theory: A central course which may bring up issues that modern school leaders face. It may touch on both theory and practice. You may for instance look at workplace behaviors in school systems.

What Should I know About Accreditation in Educational Leadership?

Accreditation is a form of control by an outside agency. Some universities maintain two kinds of approval. One speaks to the school as a whole. The other to the programs it houses.

It is important to look for an accredited school and educational leadership program. For one, these schools make it possible to apply for financial aid.

Also, they check things like student services and faculty meet standards. Since a review usually covers a set time frame (E.g. 7-10) years, schools need to re-certify to keep their status.

Professional accreditors review programs. Their interest is in what students are learning. Education is a regulated industry that follows ethics and principles. As such, accredited programs keep up the standards for teachers and industry leaders.

One such agency is CAEP, the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Their purview is to set and check standards in programs that ready teachers.

Another is The National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA). They are an alliance with a shared goal. To set the bar for education leaders in the school system. They are an alliance with a shared goal. To set the bar for education leaders in the school system.

Recently, they worked on a set of professional standards (PSEL). This guide for education leaders sets norms that state boards of education will use. It will help guide their licensure and professional programs.

Why Accreditation Matters? Going for Principal/Superintendent Licensure

After graduating from an accredited program, a teacher may seek state credentials. Each state varies in the demands it places on aspiring school leaders.

Yet, it is common you'll have to show you completed a ‘state-approved’ program. Such accredited programs prepare tomorrow’s leaders with suitable skills and knowledge.