Information on Master’s Degree Programs in School Administration
Majors Overview August 13, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in school administration and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in School Administration
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and Master of School Administration programs are available at many schools. These programs are usually available in both on-campus and online formats with the curriculum devised to attract aspiring educational leaders in 4-year universities and colleges, as well as K-12 schools.
Program coursework explores topic areas such as curriculum development, personnel management, and community relations. Typically, field or administrative are included. In some programs, students are specifically prepared for state-level principal licensure; in others, students may be trained for college-level leadership roles.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Typically, schools don’t require applicants to have prior work experience in school administration; however, incoming students are usually required to have a current teaching license and three years or more of teaching experience.
Coursework
Program coursework involves the completion of approximately 42 total credit hours; a field experience internship is usually in the program. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•School administration and curriculum leadership
•Managing schools inside a district context
•Social context of educational leadership
•Program development for diverse populations
•Personnel administration and the law
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of six percent has been predicted for elementary, middle and high school principals. Over the same period, postsecondary education administrators are
expected to see fifteen percent job growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, elementary and secondary school administrators brought in an average annual wage of $87,760. During the same year, postsecondary administrators earned $86,490 on average (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates in search of continuing education opportunities may choose to enroll in a doctoral degree program in educational leadership, curriculum, and instruction, or school psychology. They could also choose from continuing education opportunities offered by numerous professional organizations, such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Child Care Association.
