Best Online Master's Degrees in Education Administration

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Teachers and other professionals working in education may decide to pursue a master's degree program in education administration to advance their careers. Those wishing to move into administration likely want to help their school meet new goals, assist with big-picture strategies to improve education, and perform other administrative duties.

These professionals often work outside of the classroom setting and commonly earn more money than a teacher, due to the additional responsibilities and leadership skills required. According to PayScale.com, graduates with an MEd earned a median annual salary of $64,228, as of January 2021. Earning an online degree in the field allows students to work full-time and work on their degree from any location.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Education Administration?

Most online master's degree programs in education administration are designed to take 2 years to complete. Some programs include accelerated, 8-week long courses to help students complete their degree as quickly as possible. Other factors that affect the time to degree completion include the format of the program, such as full- or part-time, course load each semester, and if students have any acceptable transfer credit. Most of these programs also include internship or practicum experiences that are typically part of the 2 years to degree completion; could total as many as 270 hours.

While there are some free online courses in education leadership available, the full curriculum of an online master's degree in education administration better prepares students for careers in the field. Typically, these degree programs require between 30 and 36 credits of online education administration courses. Some programs offer different tracks, such as a building leadership track and non-licensure track, and/or additional elective courses. Below, we explore some of the possible coursework for these programs in greater detail.

Education Administration Foundational Courses

Generally, the curriculum for many online master's degree programs in education administration primarily consists of core courses and programs offer few, if any, elective courses. These core courses are intended to help students learn how to oversee instruction, school operations, staff development, and school culture. Students have a chance to develop their leadership, observation, and problem-solving skills in these programs.

Most programs include at least one internship experience and some may include multiple clinical or field experiences. These hands-on learning experiences allow students to see the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of a school principal or other professionals in the field. Some programs conclude with a final master's research project of some kind. Other core courses for education administration programs include:

• Data-driven instruction
• Ethical practices in education
• Education law
• Shaping school culture
• School finance
• School administration
• Instructional strategies and leadership
• Staff evaluation and development

Education Administration Specialist & Elective Courses

Since they are highly focused, many online master's degree programs in education administration do not include elective courses, but some programs or tracks may offer at least one elective course. Electives generally allow students to explore a particular area of interest in greater detail. Typically, students choose an elective course from a list of courses that have already been approved to be used as electives. Depending on the format of the program, electives may be used to replace the internship experience for students who are pursuing a non-licensure degree. Some examples of possible electives include:

• Student engagement
• School improvement
• Transition education
• Family collaboration in special education

Licensure & Certification in Education Administration

Licensure requirements for different positions in education administration vary. For example, postsecondary education administrators may not need any type of licensure, while elementary, middle, or high school principals in public schools usually have to have a state-administered school administrator license. This typically requires passing a background check and an exam. Principals in private schools may not be required to have state licenses. Other positions may require education administrator or teaching licensure, such as instructional coordinators.

Like education/school administrator licensure, teaching licensure requirements can also vary by state. However, students usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree, pass a background check, complete a student teaching experience, and pass a teaching exam.

Admissions requirements for online master's programs in education administration differ by school, but typically require applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree and possibly meet a minimum GPA requirement. In addition, depending on the program and program outcome (such as advancing in state teaching ranks for licensure programs), students could be required to submit a copy of their teaching certificate.

For internship purposes, students may need to list the names and contact information for a building- or district-level administrator, P-12 educators, and superintendent. Letters of recommendation could also need to come from a supervisor and those in educational leadership, such as a principal, instructional coach, or grade level chair. Other application materials for these online programs include transcripts, a resume, and a personal statement.

Finding an online education administration master's program that is a good fit can be challenging with all the different options available. Students should first consider what type of degree they want to earn. They need to compare MEd and MA programs, as well as education administrator and education leadership programs. Some of these programs are specifically designed to lead to principal licensure, while others are not. Students need to find a program that has a curriculum that best aligns with their personal career goals. Those who learn best through hands-on learning experiences may also want to carefully compare the internship component of programs.

In addition to these program-specific considerations, students should think about some different aspects of the school that offers their program of interest. For example, some schools align the curriculum of their master's programs in education administration with standards from education-related organizations, such as the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC). Other programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). These accredited programs generally stand out to employers and better prepare students for a career in the field. Other considerations could include the cost of a program, availability of financial aid, and academic support for online students.

Leaders in education are typically referred to as administrators, directors or managers. Graduates with their master's in education administration are prepared to take any required licensure/certification exam needed to step into advanced roles in primary, secondary, and even postsecondary institutions. Depending on their interests and career goals, graduates can choose to work with students of different age groups (i.e. elementary, high school, or college students) or focus on different areas of administration, such as becoming an instructional coordinator to focus on curriculum development or an athletic director to oversee athletics. Other possible job titles include:

• Principal
• Assistant principal
• Instructional coordinator
• Athletic director
• Department heads
• Postsecondary education administrator
• Provost
• Academic dean

Job Outlook for a Master's in Education Administration

In general, the job outlook for many positions in education administration that require a master's degree is positive. However, growth in the field is not as rapid as other fields, possibly due to the budgetary constraints at the state and local levels. As enrollment increases in different schools though, the number of schools could increase, which can also help increase demand for administrators. Earning a master's degree in education administration does offer some flexibility to move into multiple kinds of positions, which can help increase job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for elementary, middle, and high school principals was 4% from 2019 to 2029, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. The job outlook for postsecondary education administrators was also 4% over the same period.

How to Become an Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal

School principals typically have to have a master's degree in education administration or education leadership. These professionals also usually have a bachelor's degree in an education-related subject area. Principals are commonly required to have multiple years of teaching experience before moving into the position. Although licensure requirements vary by states, most states require these professionals to have school administrator licenses. Usually, these licenses require a master's degree, background check, and an exam. Principals need to have strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Elementary, middle, and high school principals oversee the culture, activities, and operations of their respective school. They are responsible for the professional development of their staff, the safety of their schools, and the disciplining and counseling of students. Principals meet with parents as needed, manage school budgets, help develop curriculum, and monitor student achievement. As of 2020, the BLS reported that the median annual salary for elementary, middle, and high school principals was $98,490.

How to Become a Postsecondary Education Administrator

Although there are some entry-level positions for those with a bachelor's degree, most postsecondary education administrators need to have a master's degree or higher. This degree can be in a wide range of subjects and some administrators may begin their careers as professors and move into administration later. Most of these administrators also have prior work experience in a college administrative setting. Postsecondary education administrators need to have great organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Postsecondary education administrators include a wide range of positions, including various positions that work in areas such as the registrar's office, admissions, and student affairs. Each of these main areas have different types of job duties. For instance, professionals in admissions focus on getting new students to come to the institution, while those in student affairs focus on supporting current students with academic resources and fun, student-life events. Job titles such as provost, chief academic officer, and academic deans also fall into the umbrella of postsecondary education administrators. Per the BLS, postsecondary education administrators made a median annual salary of $97,500, as of 2020.

Although a bachelor's degree in education is not necessarily required, many master's programs in education administration require students to have prior teaching experience and/or licensure. This typically means that students entering these master's programs have taken some education courses, but could have earned their teaching license through alternative means and have a bachelor's degree in another field. It is most common for students to have earned a bachelor's degree in some area of education before earning their master's in education administration.

After graduation, some students decide to continue their studies at the doctoral level. Specifically in education administration, students can choose from a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field or a closely related degree, such as a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership. Students wondering what they can do with a PhD in Education should know that these degrees typically help students advance their careers, such as moving to the collegiate level or working as a superintendent, or students may move into more research-based jobs.

Students should begin the financial aid process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows them to see any grants or loans from the government that they qualify for and accept them as needed. Many students then go on to pursue other ways to further cut the cost of tuition, fees, living expenses and more. Some schools may offer additional tuition discounts (such as ones for military students) or funding opportunities (things like assistantships). Depending on the school, scholarships could also be available, but there are a variety of outside organizations that provide various awards as well. These awards vary in amount, requirements, and renewability, but do not have to be repaid. Students could qualify for a range of reasons, including merit, financial need, talents, and interests. A couple of examples of scholarships for master's students in education administration include:

• Education and Teaching Master's Degree Scholarships- Thomas More University offers a variety of scholarships for education students, including those in the education administration master's program. Winners of the $500 award are chosen based on work history, academics, and extracurriculars.
• AASA Educational Administration Scholarships- The School Superintendents Association (AASA) offers this scholarship to 7 nominated graduate students in school administration who wish to become a superintendent in the future.