What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

• Principals: These are the primary school administrators in elementary, middle, and high school settings. They perform a variety of duties, from developing school curriculum standards and managing the school's staff, to creating the school's budget and running student services, such as career counseling.
• Assistant Principals: These professionals perform a number of administrative tasks, under the direction of principals. Many are responsible for purchasing textbooks, scheduling classes, and managing the school's support staff.
• Administrators: Administrators are generally in charge of the academic departments at several area public schools. Some conduct the schools' standardized testing or career counseling programs.
• Provosts: Provosts are in charge of academic development at the college level. They create budgets for different university departments and hire faculty.
• Department Heads: Department heads are university professors who also serve as the director of a particular academic department, such as chemistry or history. They raise money for their department, advocate for their department on university committees, and hire new teachers.

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What degree levels are available?

• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: 4-5 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

The degree requirements for education administration positions vary, depending on the type of school. A bachelor's degree is usually only sufficient for administrative positions in preschools or day care centers; it may also be enough preparation for principal positions in some private schools. All administrators in public schools need at least a master's degree in education, teaching, or educational leadership, and most private schools require this as well. Many school principals move into an assistant principal or principal position only after several years of teaching.

In the college and university setting, most administrators in students services and affairs positions need PhD degrees in educational leadership or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees. These advanced programs discuss financial, legal, and policy issues that are pertinent for administrators in larger post-secondary institutions. Department heads and chairpersons usually enter their administrative position after obtaining a master's degree or PhD in their field of study, and teaching for a number of years.

Administrators in preschool or day care settings may need a childhood development certification; the requirements for this credential vary by state, but they usually include an associate's degree and a passing score on an exam. Some require the standardized Child Development Associate certification offered by the Council for Professional Recognition; others honor the National Administrator Credential, bestowed by the National Child Care Association. Public school administrators need a school administrator license, a state-issued license which requires graduate training and a passing exam score. (BLS)            

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

• Curriculum and Instruction: Creating curriculums and managing instruction methods is a primary function on education administrators. This course will cover strategies for implementing new policies and evaluating them over time.
• Instruction Assessment: Another primary role for an education administrator is assessing teacher success in order to provide students with the highest quality education, so this course offers different methods for determining the effectiveness of instruction.
• Educational Research: In making broad determinations about education within an entire school district or other community, administrators need to be able to compile data and analyze it correctly to make strategic decisions about future policies.
• Personnel Administration: Administrators are responsible for handling the human resources departments within their school district, and they oversee the salaries and benefits of all staff members working in their area.
• Education and the Law: Because education administrators are responsible for managing such complex systems as school districts and other large organizations, there is a definite need for them to be familiar with the laws governing their field and the empoyees they oversee.

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If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?

On-site training is typically not required for education administrators; however, many administrators begin their careers as teachers so that they can gain experience in a school environment. Many administrators find this experience helpful in their future careers because so much of their role is to oversee programs and policies that affect teachers.

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

• Teaching: Many education administrators begin their careers as teachers, and some may find that they prefer to pursue a career in the classroom over administration.
• Education Leadership: This degree is very similar to education administration, but more often leads to careers as principals, vice principals, and deans.
• Public Administration: These administrators oversee government and public programs that work to support important causes, implementing new programs and strategies to improve their reach.

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