Information on Master’s Degree Programs in Education Management
Majors Overview August 30, 2015The majority of public schools require a master’s degree before employing someone as an education administrator. Graduates can look into careers as superintendents, district administrators, school principals, and other administrative positions at universities and colleges.
Master’s Programs in Education Management
Those seeking employment as an educational administrator at most public schools are required to hold at least a master’s degree. Program graduates can expect to become adept at the skills necessary for understanding changing federal and state policies in education and effective organization of the human and material resources of an educational institution.
Program graduates can seek leadership positions at educational institutions. In order to facilitate professionals with education experience, many schools offer these programs in part-time and online formats.
Coursework
Coursework combines lecture-based courses with hands-on internships to teach students about the various philosophies of educational leadership and the ways in which administration and policy are affected by these philosophies. They become adept at evaluating educational programs and curriculum, in addition to supervising and assessing instruction. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•School law
•Leadership and management assessment
•Educational research
•Supervision of instructors
•Organizational theory and administration
•Educational theory
•Finance in administration
•Administration and supervision research
•Curriculum development and evaluation
The school, as well as the concentration of the major, can cause variations in the courses required and offered. For instance, a program concentration in management specialization will include various required classes as opposed to a concentration in educational policy or student affairs.
Career Choices
Program graduates can choose from numerous career options in administrative roles at private and public schools. They may seek work as a principal or assistant principal in a secondary, middle or elementary school, or as supervisor or director for a child care center or preschool. Program graduates can also seek careers in postsecondary schools as department head, dean of students, or chief academic officer at a university or college.
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of fifteen percent has been predicted for postsecondary education administrators (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Rising college enrollment is expected to drive growth. During the same decade, elementary, middle and high school principals are expected to see a slower-than-average six percent job growth.