• Curriculum Development: There is always intense debate in the academic sphere about what students should be required to learn, how they should learn it, and how they should be evaluated, so anybody studying curriculum development can expect the opportunity to develop his or her own ideas. 
• Education Policy: Education policy combines law and education, and these programs are growing in popularity as more students look to get involved in the reform movement.
• Higher Education: Leadership at community colleges and universities comes with its own very specific set of challenges, and this specialization option can lead to lucrative careers.

• Master's of Education in Educational Leadership: 2-3 years to complete
• PhD in Educational Leadership: 4-7 years to complete

Principals, school district superintendents, academic deans, and most teachers who function as department heads or curriculum developers for school districts have at least a master's degree. It is not uncommon to have more than one master's degree -- for example, a master's in teaching and a master's in educational leadership. The PhD, or a PhD in some other subject, is usually necessary to hold superintendent positions or education reform positions within the government. The specialization of educational leadership has not yet caught on in the undergraduate sphere, though some schools have started to test bachelor's programs in education administration.

Nearly every graduate program in education mandates that students complete a thesis or dissertation, some sort of extended research project in which students demonstrate their own research and findings. Usually, the sort of project a person chooses is derived from their own experiences. For example, a former high school math teacher may write about the effectiveness of statewide standardized testing in mathematics. Work-study experience or internship credit can help students define the scope of their topic. 

Every state has its own credential requirements for educational leaders and administrators. In many cases a graduate degree can suffice, while other states require exams that are specific to educational administration. Some states even require on the job training. Checking a state's Department of Education (DOE) website can help a candidate find the exact requirements. The DOE also offers grants to educators, which can they can use to get new technology for their classrooms, get updated textbooks, or get something else to help their students reach their educational goals.

• Curriculum Organization and Development: In managing a school or educational program, education leaders are ecpected to develop effective curriculum for the students and communicate it clearly to the teachers.
• Fiscal Aspects of Education: Education leaders are responsible for overseeing budgets and other financial issues that pertain to their school. Students learn to manage the often-complex finances of organizations based in the education field.
• School Law: Students in this course learn the legal issues that relate to educational institutions, as well as policies that govern the actions of schools and school leaders.
• Student Services: Education leaders oversee the programs and facilities that are available to students in their schools; this course covers management and administration of these services.
• Data and School Improvement: Education leaders use data to understand and analyze their school's performance in terms of test scores, student success, and other factors.

On-site training is not required for education leadership degree programs. However, students may find it beneficial to have some experience working in the educational field, either in an internship or as a lower-level employee, before they receive their degree, as this will make them more attractive to hiring managers and will provide them with valuable insight into the inner workings of the field they plan to oversee.

Teaching is often considered a career that is a step below education administration, and it is true that many education administrators, especially at the secondary level, do start out their careers as teachers. However, the relationship between teachers and education leaders is typically very collaborative. Teachers are responsible for relaying the content of education to students, working closely with students in classrooms at all levels. They also work with education administrators to decide on courses of action for their students and develop curricula. In that sense, the two careers are very much related.

Management is similar to leadership careers in general, usually in the business world, in that they also often require many of the same skills and knowledge that education administration does. Education administrators and business administrators are responsible for managing groups of staff and helping hire and train them. They also have a hand in setting budgets for their institution, and handling their organization in such a way that keeps to this budget. Both jobs require patience, leadership, and creativity. Organizational leadership is another business oriented career that is quite similar to educational leadership. Both careers and degrees emphasize working with and managing people, and creating the most effective organizational systems within their organizations. Organizational leadership focuses specifically on developing effective business models and plans.