More Information About Educational Leadership

What should I know when considering a degree in Educational Leadership ?

Educational leadership and education administration degree programs prepare educators to take on leadership and administrative roles usually within the public or private K-12 school system and at post-secondary institutions. Teachers wishing to advance into positions like those of vice principal, principal, or superintendent will undoubtedly need a minimum of a master's degree in educational leadership/education administration to handle the increasingly complex social, managerial and fiscal responsibilities of school systems and environments. Administrators also have to hold teachers accountable, act as a liaison between parents, teachers, and students, and head the difficult task of ensuring students receive the best education possible while maintaining a strict and at times stringent budget. Ultimately, administrators lead their schools or departments and this role, as with any leadership position, comes with a full set of challenges and rewards.

Many educational leaders begin their careers as teachers, working in school systems for a substantial number of years before advancing into an administrative role. Some teachers move directly into principal positions if they are qualified with the appropriate degree and experience. Others climb a ladder to principal or higher positions by successfully occupying roles like that of a curriculum specialist, subject advisor, or other department heads. Whichever way advancement is pursued, a graduate degree will be required at many schools and institutions. Almost every public school requires its principals, assistant principals, and school administrators to hold a minimum of a master's degree, however the majority of principals, especially working in the most coveted school environments, hold doctoral degrees.

The non-educational background of educational leaders and administrators varies greatly, ranging from librarian to football coach, however almost all have a significant amount of previous teaching experience. Since teaching experience is a standard prerequisite to moving into leadership roles, along with an advanced degree, it is hard for many teachers who need to go back to school to earn a masters or doctoral degree. An increasing number of teaching professionals are attending web based schools to obtain an online education administration degree. Online degree programs offer the flexibility busy teachers need to earn their degree while still working to earn money and the valuable experience also necessary for advancement into leadership roles.

Job Outlook and Earnings

Educational leadership positions are expected to grow significantly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as there is an increasing need for highly qualified and educated persons to help several faltering school systems. This is especially true for areas where school systems need help with funding and balancing budgets. According to CNN Money, as of January 2008, the national average principal salary was $73,536, while those in the lower 25th percentile earned at or under $65,302 and those in the upper 75th percentile earned upwards of $89,475. Salaries were found to vary greatly as dependent on such factors as employer size, industry, employee credentials, years of experience and others. Salaries of non-principal administrative roles also vary greatly and could be tens of thousands of dollars lower or higher than an average principal salary depending on the position. For instance, assistant principals tend to not earn a lot more than regular teachers, whose annual earnings averaged $47,602 in 2006, while those working as superintendents earned an average of $121,155 in the 2006-2007 school year.

Article References

American Association of School Administrators
http://www.aasa.org/

Institute for Educational Leadership
http://www.iel.org/index.html

Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm

CNN Money
http://swz.sa lary.com/salarywizard/

What are the leading schools offering programs in Educational Leadership ?

• Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
• Regis University Online Founded in 1877, Regis University Online offers college education in the form of Bachelor and Master Degrees in Business, Information Technology, Education, and Management. Accelerated online learning allows students to progress at an individually comfortable pace and tailor-fit courses to match their career goals. ( More Info )
• Western Governors University Western Governors University emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge in your field, basing progress toward your online degree on passing rigorous assessments (such as tests, projects, assignments, etc.) instead of accumulating credit hours. We call it competency-based learning. WGU offers Bachelors and Masters degree programs in Healthcare, Business, MBA, IT and Education. ( More Info )
• Jones International University Founded in 1993, Jones-International University is the first regionally accredited online university providing quality education for busy adults. JIU offers customized degree programs for a Bachelor Degree in Business or an MBA, Masters in Education, and Masters in Business Communication. ( More Info )
• Capella University (Graduate) Capella University offers online graduate degree learning in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business, and Technology. Students earn master and doctorate degrees while preparing for professional entry-level and advanced career opportunities - all without entering a classroom. ( More Info )
• Ashford University (Graduate) Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. ( More Info )
• University of Maryland University College Since 1947, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has pursued one primary mission: to make higher education more accessible, convenient, and rewarding for busy adults. UMUC offers more than 80 online degree and certificate programs, each designed to offer you a challenging educational experience with maximum flexibility. ( More Info )
• Grand Canyon University Graduate Programs Grand Canyon University is an accredited, private, Christian university located in Phoenix, AZ. The institution offers online and on-site graduate programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts. GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. ( More Info )
• Kaplan University - Education Programs Kaplan University Online offers accelerated online career training through associate and mastersdegree education. Students choose from a variety of education degrees to advance and build on existing teaching skills or work toward a new teaching career. ( More Info )
• Colorado Christian University Online Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University is a private, Christian university located a few miles from Denver, Colorado. The school offers a large number of Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees online, as well, through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies' Global Online program. All programs allow students to integrate their faith into the knowledge and skills they acquire in the classroom. ( More Info )
• Abilene Christian University Since 1906, Abilene Christian University has provided a four-year private education to students desiring a Christian-based focus. Students have a variety of undergraduate majors to choose from, including healthcare, business, human services, criminal justice, and education. Online education allows busy working adults to take advantage of an ACU education. ( More Info )
• The George Washington University Established in 1821, The George Washington University provides Master Degree specialization in Paralegal, Public Relations, and Political Management as well as dedicated career training to prepare students for immediate entry-level and administrative positions. Graduates develop business and communication skills relevant to their industry from the convenience of home via online learning. ( More Info )
• Ottawa University Online Ottawa University Online offers a wide range of courses to students and these courses can be completed from anywhere the student has an Internet connection. Students can earn a bachelor degree entirely online in areas including Business Administration, Health Care Management and Psychology. ( More Info )
• Richard W. Riley College The Richard W. Riley College of Education is part of Walden University. The College of Education offers an assortment of higher education degrees including master's and doctorates. Some programs are entirely online, whereas other programs are a combination of online coursework and face-to-face collaboration. ( More Info )