Information on Master’s Degree Programs in Education Management
Majors Overview August 17, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in education management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in Education Management
Individuals seeking management and administrative careers in school district offices and schools could benefit from enrollment in a master’s degree program in education with a focus on management and leadership. Schools most commonly offer a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Management. Experienced, certified teachers are transformed into educational leaders after they complete the program that often combines fieldwork experience with classroom lectures. Advanced courses in leadership, communication, and management are devised to help students build on an education in teaching. Program graduates often go on to pursuing careers as vice-principals, principals, and school board administrators.
Students take less than two years to complete many master’s degree programs in education management that schools may offer through flexible weekend and night courses for working professionals. Coursework also covers the completion of a paper or capstone project that explores a particular area of educational management technologies or techniques.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in education or teaching, among other related fields. They must also have certification in the state in which they plan to work. Incoming students to most programs are also required to have two years of professional teaching experience before they join.
Coursework
Program coursework is a combination of a capstone research project and a great deal of fieldwork experience with classroom instruction on management skills and educational theories. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Governmental regulations in education
•Supervision of educational personnel
•Program assessment
•Managerial accounting
•Instructional delivery
•Curriculum design
•Training of facilities managers
•Technology in Education
•Training of educational personnel
Career Choices
Program graduates often seek upper-level administrative roles in school districts and schools. They may choose from possible job positions such as:
•Superintendent
•Supervisor
•Vice principal
•Principal
•Instructional specialist
They may also aspire to a position in postsecondary education administration.
Job and Wage Outlook
College-level administration job growth rate is 19% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, postsecondary education administrators brought in an average annual wage of $86,490 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates who seek continuing education may pursue Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs that could lead to careers in academia or research.
