A Brief History of the Educational Administration Major
Do you find yourself questioning the bureaucratic nature of academic administrations? Have you always envisioned yourself in a leadership position? Are you constantly mulling ideas on how to improve the instruction at your college? Then educational administration may be the right field of study for you. This major examines the nature of educational systems. Students who graduate with a degree in educational administration learn to manage a large group of people. With further training and experience, they acquire the skills necessary to navigate bureaucratic systems.
This major is distinguished from management and administration in that it adheres to a specific set of values rooted in educational philosophy. While there are bachelor’s programs out there in educational administration, the vast majority of job opportunities will be found at the master’s and Ph.D. levels. Most graduates of a program in educational administration will go on to work as principals, deans, chair people and other administrators responsible for keeping educational facilities running smoothly and fulfilling its academic goals.
While pursuing a degree in this field, students will gain skills in curriculum design, athletic program management, evaluating standardized tests, enforcing discipline and working with teachers and parents. Additional coursework may challenge students to build managerial, legal and communication skills as well. These skills, combined with experience found on the job, will result in a graduate who is well-rounded and ready to take on the challenges inherent to running a school or educational institution.
Delving Into the Educational Administration Major
The ability to cultivate leadership skills is a vital aspect of the educational administration degree training. Graduates with advanced degrees can go on to become school principals, deans, and more. Students will learn curriculum planning with integration of technology.
Most students enrolling in an educational administration degree program will be those who have already completed a bachelor’s program and who are looking to expand their career opportunities and find new avenues of advancement. Because of this, there are relatively few bachelor’s degree programs available for educational administration. Very often, a bachelor’s degree only will not be enough to land a position in administration without numerous years of experience, so there are many more master’s degree programs available to help educators move up in their field.
In an online master’s degree program, students can expect to take courses on topics like administration, personnel supervision, ethics, financial management, public relations, and educational policy, such as noted in the degree plan outlined for students of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Like many other educational degrees, this one will likely rewire some hands-on practical experience in the field as well to graduate.
For those who already have a master’s in the field, there are P.h.D. programs as well, opening up new job opportunities and allowing students to qualify for professorial positions as well.
Degree Levels:
Associate
While a bachelor’s degree is often the minimum entry-level requirement for a job in educational administration, most online associate programs provide instruction for working toward advanced studies. The essential knowledge and foundational expertise necessary to travel down this career path may be acquired within the first few years of education.
Bachelor’s
Proficiency and aptitude in various educational administration subjects are cultivated in most bachelor’s degree program via a combination of individual assignments and group projects. While specific classes will depend on institution, the typical coursework blends theoretical knowledge of educational administration with practical case studies.
The curriculum may include coursework in school leadership, school law, school finance and budgeting, curriculum development and evaluation, research design and data analysis, community relations, politics in education, and counseling. Upon graduation, students emerge with management skills, organizational capabilities, and leadership aptitudes.
Master’s
The curriculum of a master’s degree program in higher education administration tends to integrate learning activities, such as writing reports, problem-solving projects and simulation exercises. Methods and techniques for career mapping, college catalog analysis and mediating asynchronous online discussions are also normally part of the coursework.
Classes in the majority of graduate degree programs are available in classroom and online delivery formats. Most master’s degree programs only require a bachelor’s degree as the prerequisite for admission. Some programs may require professional experience in higher education at a basic administrative level.
Doctorate
The majority of doctorate degree programs in this field assume the form of either a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration. The curriculum provides core principles and theories in school leadership.
In addition to various colleges and universities, master’s and doctorate education opportunities can be found through professional organizations, such as the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org) and NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (www.naspa.org).
Supplementing Your Educational Administration Major
Competent leadership is essential to the success of an academic institution. Majors in this field acquire skills that prepare them for the challenges of managing an institution of higher learning on a daily basis. There are many ways to contribute to a school’s administrative progress. Because the position of educational administrator requires interaction with others, people who choose to pursue a major in this area must be able to communicate effectively.
Administrators are sometimes promoted from within other departments at the institution, thereby eliminating the need for further education. Most professors who go on to become deans and administrators already have a master’s or doctorate degree. This field of study may challenge students to build managerial, legal and communication skills as well. These skills, combined with experience found on the job, will result in a graduate who is well-rounded and ready to take on the challenges inherent to running a school or educational institution.
Educational administrators work in a variety of capacities. Aside from general educational administration, students may also wish to specialize in athletic administration or instructional administration or other areas of need. They may also become superintendents of school systems or presidents of educational institutions.
Learn More About the Educational Administration Major
- Best Education Administration Schools
- National Forum of Educational Administration and Supervision Journal
- Educational Courseware: Instructional Design Links to Learning
The Educational Administration Major in the Job Market
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment opportunities for higher education administrators’ should continue to grow. The projected growth is due, in part, to the expected retirements of a great number of professionals. Also, the growing enrollment of school-age kids means that more opportunities will be created. The BLS also states that as of May, 2008, education administrators held about 445,400 jobs and their median yearly wages were approximately $81,000.
Educational administration offers some excellent opportunities for employment over the next few years as those currently holding administrative positions will be heading into retirement. This is especially true for those hoping to work as principles or assistant principles, as many teachers do not want to take on the increased stress and responsibilities associated with this position despite an accordant pay increase.
Of course, the growth of these positions and all others in the field will largely be determined by geographic location, as areas with faster growth will see a steady increase in the amount of positions available. Jobs in higher education administration are projected to remain competitive, but many positions are seeing fewer applicants than before and should offer great opportunities for new grads.
