The Advantages To Earning An Education Leadership Degree
Earning an educational leadership degree gives students the knowledge and techniques necessary to perform as professionals as leaders and administrators within schools and educational institutions. Educational leadership degrees give students a broad educational background with studies in education, business, public policy, ethics, management, teaching, assessment, business, and leadership. Individuals interested in careers as educational administrators within schools gain the skills necessary for future career success.
Most colleges and universities have extended instruction to online degree programs to include students with family and work responsibilities who are unable to attend on campus instruction. Online programs offer virtually the same educational experiences as their traditional, brick and mortar equivalents with the additional benefits of a more personalized degree and 24 hour access to course materials. Most online classes consist of groups of 25 students or less who have one on one access via Internet chats with instructors and other students. Online degree programs are often one of the most affordable, convenient paths toward educational and career success for students managing obligations beyond education.
What Students Learn Within An Education Leadership Degree Program
Students enrolled within education leadership degree programs gain the knowledge necessary to efficiently operate an educational institution. Education leadership degrees instill essential skills required for graduates to manage the daily operations, educational programs, training, policies, and procedures of a school or education system. Most graduates from an education leadership program advance to employment as administration professionals, education administrators, assistant principles, principals, and superintendents. To qualify for employment as leaders of a private or public school, graduates are generally required to obtain a master or doctoral degree. Many students begin their educational foundation with associate degree programs and advance to higher studies or employment.
Courses at an associate level within the discipline of education include: public speaking, critical thinking and analysis, research and academic writing, introduction to philosophy, quantitative and scientific literacy, college Algebra, statistics, introduction to biology, human biology, cross cultural communication, studies in world literature, introduction to French, comparative politics, international relations world history, global leadership and cross cultural issues, multiculutral psychology, world religions and culture, introduction to Spanish, western civilization, Ancient political philosophy, literature of the United States, introduction to economics, introduction to psychology, microeconomics, engaging the visual arts, U.S. history, principles of management, and ethics. Most associate degree graduates advance studies to bachelor degree programs to advance to professions in education leadership.
Bachelor level courses in the discipline of education leadership include: communication and information technology; introduction to communication technology and information management; introductory microeonomic analysis and policy; introductory macroeconomic analysis and policy; introduction to article writing; industrial psychology; leadership in work settings; research methods in sociology; elementary statistics; history of work in America; race, gender, and employment; critical thinking; introduction to ethics; psychology; industrial motivation and work satisfaction; sociology of aging; gender, occupations, and professions; introduction to criminal justice; introduction to law; employment relations; employment law and policy; employment compensation; labor relations in the public sector; introduction to American national government; policy making and evaluation; organizational communication; conflict resolution and negotiation; studies in public address; labor economics; collective bargaining and contract administration; social influence and small groups; work and occupations; writing and speaking; quantification; and sociology. Graduates from a bachelor degree program often advance to entry level employment or higher degree programs.
Courses at a master’s level within an education leadership degree program include: foundations of educational administration; computer applications in school administration; principles of curriculum organization and development; fiscal aspects of education; foundations of educational administration; study of change and change techniques; innovations in curriculum; interpersonal communications; administration of pupil services; personnel administration; data use of school improvement; school law; supervision of instruction; community and the educational process; understanding educational organizations; and principal clinical internship. Graduates from master’s degree programs may qualify for employment or advance studies to doctoral programs to be considered experts within the field of education leadership.
Courses at a doctoral level include: adult development; data; family and community engagement; group relations; leaders of learning; leadership, entrepreneurship, and learning; managing human capital; performance of the sector; political engagement; public narrative and mobilization; race and identity; remaking educational policy; resource allocation; sectoral change; service leadership; strategy; adult development and school leadership; supporting teachers for instructional improvement; and teachers’ unions and school improvement.
Prospective Jobs For Education Leadership Degree Graduates
Education leadership degrees provide students with a versatile educational basis necessary for employment within many occupations. An education leadership degree gives students the knowledge to oversee the successful operation of local or state education systems. Employment for graduates with education leadership degrees is based upon several factors including: level of education, related work experience, geographic location, and areas of specialty. Most graduates who complete associate’s degree programs in education leadership may gain employment as teacher’s aides, tutors, or administrative assistants.
Graduates from bachelor degree program may work as teachers upon completing specialized training and licensing requirements or as preschool or child care program administrators. Many graduates with bachelor degrees may also find employment as administrative assistants to education coordinators. Graduates with master’s degrees often work as assistant principals, instructional coordinators principals, education administrators, and other supervisory positions within the education system upon gaining necessary work experience and other qualifications. Graduates with doctoral degrees often work as superintendents of education institutions, instructional coordinators, academic deans at colleges or universities, school principals, chief academic officers, or management executives within education based organizations.
Salary Range For Education Leadership Degree Graduates
Leadership degree graduates have earnings which vary tremendously and are based upon factors like organization of employment, level of education, school district enrollment levels, and geographic location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports median average salaries for preschool and child care program earned $31,290 to $54,680 annually. Graduates who gained employment as elementary or secondary school administrators have annual earnings of $68,360 to $102,830 annually. Post secondary school administration professionals earn $58,940 to $113,860 annually. Graduates who work within higher education institutions as academic deans generally earn $92,622 to $150,000 annually. Graduates employed at universities as chief development officers generally earn $141,712 annually. As with most occupations, graduates who advance studies, continue education, and specialize their skills generally earn higher salaries than those with less education and experience.
Career Outlook and Advancement Opportunities For Education Leadership Degree Graduates
Graduates with education leadership degrees are expected to find ample job opportunities within many educational institutions, schools, and some universities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports employment of administrators within school systems will grow by 8 percent through 2018 at an average rate in comparison to other occupations. Factors like decreased student enrollment and budgetary constraints may adversely affect the number of jobs available to education leadership graduates. Conversely, as States expand, update, and evaluate programs, graduates with education leadership degrees are expected to have increased employment prospects particularly within preschools public schools develop public school preschool programs. Additionally, post secondary level administrative jobs are expected to increase at an above average rate due to increasing student enrollment, particularly of non-traditional students and working adults.
Increasing employment prospects will be available to graduates as administrators are being held more accountable for school performance while managing government regulations, classroom overcrowding, safety issues, budgetary concerns, and teacher shortages, many teachers are discouraged from assuming administration jobs. Graduates are expected to find the best prospects for employment in western and southern parts of the United states where population is increasing at faster than average rates. Graduates may also find the best employment options in rural and urban areas. Education administration professionals often advance by attracting promotions to positions with greater responsibilities or higher administrative duties. Many graduates advance by transferring to larger schools or education systems. Some graduates may gain promotions to superintendent or president positions within school systems or higher education institutions.
