Masters in Educational Leadership: Charting Your Career Path

Today’s educational system is more complex than ever. Those considering careers in educational leadership will find that they have the opportunity to have an impact on a changing landscape, which can be both challenging and rewarding. A master’s degree in educational leadership provides the knowledge and training for a variety of leadership positions, with many programs offering PK-12 building-level leadership and higher education leadership specializations. As the landscape for education in the United States continues to change and evolve, there is a greater need for strong and effective educational leaders. A Master’s in Educational Leadership is a great choice for anyone with an interest in education, leadership, policy, and research.

What is a Master’s in Educational Leadership?

A master’s degree in educational leadership provides the knowledge and training for a variety of leadership positions. These degrees are not specific to leadership positions in schools and can translate to a number of other industries.

There are three types of master’s degrees that set you up well for educational leadership:

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Leadership
Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Leadership
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership

An M.A. in Educational Leadership focuses on the theory of leadership. This degree examines the socioeconomics and politics of the community and develops an understanding of organizational structure theories and leadership theories. This degree can be used both for teachers seeking to better their classrooms through deeper understanding of educational practices, and by future leaders seeking to understand the theory and practices of leadership.

An M.S. in Educational Leadership focuses on developing practical skills. It provides you with skills, knowledge, and often field experience in leadership. Many of these programs end with principal or superintendent licensure.

An M.Ed. in Educational Leadership focuses both on the theory of leadership and on developing practical skills. This degree is well-rounded and can be a fit for administrative positions and for teachers planning to lead initiatives, programs, or are looking to be a better leader in the district.

All of these programs require successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, however they are not exclusive to teaching degrees. Though a lot of students within masters of education programs already work in the field, this is not a requirement to pursue this degree. The average duration for all of these degrees is two to three years, however there are accelerated programs, which can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Curriculum and Skill Development

Master’s in educational leadership coursework teaches the foundations of leadership, ethics, critical issues in education, educational research, leadership theory, practicum in educational leadership and often includes field work.

Additionally, this degree will help advance nonacademic skills that are preferred for most education careers. These include:

Communication skills
Critical-thinking skills
Decision-making skills
Interpersonal skills
Leadership skills
Problem-solving skills

Traditional Career Paths in Educational Leadership

When it comes to leadership jobs in education, many educators look toward the traditional career path, which has remained steady for decades.

School Principal

School principals are responsible for overseeing daily operations at a school building. Principals set and oversee academic goals school-wide, and oversee school operations to ensure teachers have the resources to meet those goals. In public schools, principals are also responsible for implementing the standards and programs set by the school district, state, and federal government. They are the public figurehead of the school, so they should expect to listen to and address the concerns of parents and the community. Depending on the size of the school and resources available, principals may take on additional responsibilities such as establishing and supervising extracurricular activities, and may have an assistant principal to share in the responsibilities. Some master’s in educational leadership programs have principal licensure included whereas others will require licensure after degree completion.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that school principals are responsible for developing and implementing the curriculum at a building, hiring and retaining top educators, managing school activities, monitoring student achievement data and overseeing disciplinary programs.

The principal occupation is expected to grow under the nationwide average at 5% by 2031. Most openings are expected to result from retirement and shifting occupations. The median wage for principals, regardless of elementary, middle, or high school is $98,870 for public schools and $79,780 for private schools as reported by the BLS in May 2021. The lowest 10% earn below $61,480 and the highest 10% earn $153,520.

Assistant Principal

An assistant principal often works to support the principal and is responsible for many of the administrative tasks at the school. Assistant principals carry out tasks that support the efforts of the principal, in addition to helping students, teachers and other administrators reach important milestones and goals. Assistant principals might be tasked with carrying out administrative duties, communicating with parents and teachers and supporting principals in matters such as establishing procedures and conducting training.

District Administrator

District administrators often oversee specific departments within a school district, giving them an opportunity to focus on the larger picture and implement the mission of the school district. Some examples of district administrator positions include finance directors, curriculum directors, school security administrators and academic directors.

Read also: Your Counseling Career

Superintendent

Superintendents are typically the highest-level administrators, and they often work collaboratively with a team of administrators to develop and implement strategic plans for the district. For many in the education field, becoming a superintendent is the pinnacle of one’s career at the primary and secondary level. For those with a passion for education and a larger vision for the direction of the school district, the role of superintendent proves rewarding. On one hand, superintendents must manage tight budgets and handle concerns of both parents and staff. Most candidates will have earned a master’s in educational leadership and must renew their certifications on a regular basis. Superintendents earn an average of $119,000 annually, in addition to government benefits.

Curriculum Coordinator

Sometimes referred to as instructional developers, curriculum coordinators are responsible for developing curriculum programs in line with the curriculum standards that exist within a state or district. Curriculum coordinators also work to align the curriculum with the instructional materials and resources needed for implementation.

Non-Traditional Career Opportunities

As the scope of education continues to grow and the needs of students become more varied, there are a wide range of non-traditional career opportunities that have developed over the course of the past several decades.

Educational Consultant

An educational consultant is an educator who no longer works in the classroom, but rather provides teachers and administrators with advice and direction in regard to strategic planning, curriculum development and implementation and classroom management. Educational consultants are often responsible for conducting needs assessments, offering organizational recommendations and facilitating professional development initiatives. Educational consultants are an expert in their field. Candidates that make the best educational consultants are analytical, independent, empathetic towards student needs and strong planners and organizers. Consultants must be able to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure. Most academic consultants have years of teaching experience before taking on the role. Those with specializations in audio-visual education, English and mathematics, curriculum design, emerging technology and blended learning are highly sought after.

Instructional Designer

Instructional designers are educational professionals responsible for overseeing curriculum standards and development. Instructional designers often work to develop instructional materials in line with the curriculum requirements. In addition to developing and designing the individual courses within the curriculum, instructional designers also have to collect data and monitor the effectiveness of the coursework. Instructional designers may create both online and in-person coursework.

Educational Technology Specialist

Technology has long played a pivotal role in education, but educators are becoming increasingly reliant on the latest technology to provide students of all ages with an immersive, engaging and relevant experience in the classroom. Educational technology specialists work to support the integration of technology into schools, often making recommendations for technology that will complement the curriculum, improve digital literacy among students and increase efficiency within the building.

Careers in the Nonprofit Sector

Some educators who pursue a master’s in educational leadership want to take their career into the nonprofit sector. There are many nonprofit organizations that focus on improving educational access, advocating for the needs of students or providing students with the resources they need to thrive.

Other Potential Career Paths

A master’s in educational leadership will set you up well for leadership positions in a variety of sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most common educational leadership positions are:

Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal
Postsecondary Education Administrator
Instructional Coach
Athletic Director

Other roles include:

University presidents are responsible for leading higher education institutions to success.
Special education specialists help support positive educational outcomes for students with special learning needs.
A department head manages a team of staff within a particular department.
A university registrar keeps a record of student data.
A provost leads a college or university in its effort to set its values, academic goals, policies, and practices.
Program directors oversee the educational programs at their school, including any academic partnerships.
Diversity and inclusion managers create and carry out programs and initiatives to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
Curriculum developers ensure that the standards for education are met across the schools they support.
An academic direct creates strategies to lead an institution’s strategic and educational objectives.
Educational policymakers evaluate current policies and work to improve them.
Training and development specialists create and deliver training programs for businesses.

Salary Expectations

According to the BLS, the average salaries for common leadership positions are:

$96,910 per year for higher education leadership
$98,420 for K-12 leadership
$74,060 educational administrators in museums, historical sites and similar institutions

The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $96,910 in May 2021. The lowest 10% earned less than $59,150, and the highest 10% earned more than $190,770. The median annual wage for instructional coaches was $63,740 in May 2021. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,390, and the highest 10% earned more than $101,090. The median annual wage for athletic directors was $96,910 in May 2021.

Preparing for a Career in Educational Leadership

To prepare for a career in educational leadership, you will need to take actionable steps to earn the qualifications needed for these high-level positions.

Pursue a Graduate Degree

One of the best ways to launch your career in educational leadership is to begin a graduate degree program that allows you to build upon your foundation as an educator and expand your skill set in niche areas of education. Earning a master’s degree is almost always a requirement for leadership positions in the education industry. Earning a doctoral degree in educational leadership can help you get promoted to higher positions or departments within your current role or raise earning potential in your current role.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Leadership: The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Leadership with a concentration in instructional leadership is a program with core hours (including courses focused on instructional leadership in practice) and hours in a minor. Designed for teachers who want to develop leadership skills and become involved in school leadership activities, courses focus on instructional supervision, instructional design, curriculum development, leadership, and action research. Individually selected cognate courses are available in a wide range of content areas including bilingual education, STEM, literacy development, science, mathematics, and technology, allowing students to personalize the program to their interests and career goals.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership: The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership program is designed for educators who aspire to formal leadership and administrative roles in schools and districts. The course sequence includes topics on leadership, school improvement, instructional design and school law with an emphasis on action research. All students complete a year-long, field-based internship and will graduate with the principal certification. Educators who have already earned a master’s degree in education and have a minimum of one year of teaching experience in K-12 schools can take the post-master principal certification program.

Gain Relevant Experience

In addition to pursuing a graduate degree, you also will want to focus on gaining relevant experience in educational settings. Applying to entry-level administrative roles can help you begin to understand what day-to-day life is like in these positions, as it’s often distinctly different from teaching inside the classroom. Job prospects are best for candidates who have experience in the classroom or positions of education administration.

Focus on Leadership Skill Development

It is also essential to intentionally focus on leadership skill development as you prepare for one of the careers in educational leadership. Communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration are required for any administrative or supervisory position. Additionally, it is important to become familiar with leadership styles in education to determine which is the best fit for you.

Expand Your Professional Network

By actively focusing on expanding your professional network, you can connect with experienced educators and administrators to get personalized advice about your career path.

The Importance of Educational Leadership

Educational leaders are the critical component needed to create and maintain a positive culture and develop effective education and training programs within an organization. These leaders are needed in a variety of fields, and a master’s degree with a focus in educational leadership can be applied to a variety of in-demand professional careers in schools, nonprofits and even museums.

Leadership is important at every level of an organization, but it’s more than just titles. A master’s degree in educational leadership will teach you the knowledge and skills to lead effectively at any scale and in any setting. Whether you want to be a teacher leading an initiative or a principal leading an institution, this degree would be a good fit for you.

tags: #masters #in #educational #leadership #career #paths