Boston College offers 2 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 76 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 52 Master's degrees, and 24 Doctoral degrees.
University of Florida offers 8 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 33 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 21 Master's degrees, and 12 Doctoral degrees.
Lipscomb University offers 3 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 105 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 46 Certificates, 40 Doctoral degrees, and 19 Master's degrees.
University of Georgia offers 3 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 37 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 24 Doctoral degrees, 11 Master's degrees, and 2 Certificates.
University of Maryland-College Park offers 4 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 57 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 30 Doctoral degrees, and 27 Master's degrees.
University of Hawaii at Manoa offers 2 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 24 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 23 Master's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.
New York University offers 3 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 72 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 53 Doctoral degrees, 18 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
Towson University offers 4 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 69 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 55 Certificates, and 14 Master's degrees.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 3 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 56 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 51 Master's degrees, and 5 Doctoral degrees.
Texas Christian University offers 3 Educational Leadership and Administration, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 34 Educational Leadership and Administration, General students graduated with students earning 26 Master's degrees, 6 Doctoral degrees, and 2 Certificates.
There are a few things to consider when choosing the best master’s degree in educational leadership for you. Here are some that are important to ask:
Students interested in a specific field or career path should consider a specialization. Common specializations include:
Having a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership shows employers, other teachers, and the community your passion for the field and establishes credibility. A Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership is a two-year program with courses focused on:
Most Master’s in Educational Leadership degrees cover a broad range of subjects. However, it is possible to specialize in certain programs like the following:
As a Master’s in Educational Leadership degree candidate, you can expect to take a variety of courses. However, there are some courses you’ll find are common across most programs.
Diversity and equity courses
In a leadership role, many people are involved in the education process:
For that reason, it is important to learn to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds. Additionally, diversity and equity courses provide case studies about education trends to keep students up to date.
Human resources
Students interested in leading schools and teams may perform any or all of the following:
Human resources courses provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle HR situations.
School leadership
In school leadership courses, students analyze real case studies that school districts, classrooms, and teachers have encountered.
Research and data
One course that you’ll see on the syllabus for most master’s degrees in educational leadership programs is research and data. In this course, you’ll study collecting and analyzing data and applying findings to solve practical issues.
Program length can vary depending on a variety of factors such as:
Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership equips future leaders with a variety of valuable skills:
These skills are all critical for principals and other education leaders and ensure leaders are prepared for any scenario.
In order to apply, candidates should prepare the following documentation:
For online degrees, students can expect to pay anywhere from $8,000-$30,000. For hybrid degree programs, students should anticipate a total cost from $15,000-$60,000.
On-campus programs tend to be more expensive as there are more overhead costs. It’s also important to check if the school of interest charges in-state or out-of-state tuition fees for online learners. Though online programs can be more affordable, some schools charge the same on-campus tuition fee, so be sure to double-check.
Some school systems and private employers offer tuition assistance if your degree helps their organization. Scholarships and grants can also help reduce overall tuition prices, and we’ve outlined some below.
Educators make a difference in students’ lives, and educational leadership expands that impact beyond the classroom. A doctoral degree in educational leadership allows professionals to
A doctorate is the highest degree available in any field. A doctoral degree in educational leadership is a three-year program that generally requires 84 credits. Credits can often be transferred in from a previous master’s degree, reducing the time it takes to complete the doctoral program. Graduates will also conduct empirical research within educational practice while preparing their dissertation. In the realm of education, it represents a blend of academic theory and best practices for educational professionals in teaching and policy.
Graduates leave the program with the skills and information needed to make improvements in learning outcomes. Common concentration areas include:
Graduates often find roles in curriculum management or leadership within a school district or school as one of the following:
With a doctorate in educational leadership, career opportunities are nearly endless.
Educational leadership doctoral degree programs are offered in many different pathways and concentrations. Some of the most popular include:
Every program offering a doctoral degree in educational leadership sets its own curriculum, but there are some classes that are likely to be included regardless of where you choose to study:
The average period for completion of a doctoral program in educational leadership is three years, though candidates may take longer depending upon whether they pursue their degree on a full-time or part-time basis.
After graduation, students will have gained knowledge in the practice and theory of leadership in education. Some important skills learned will include:
Applying for admission to a doctoral program in educational leadership is the first step toward earning a doctorate, so it is important to follow these steps:
Each doctoral-level program in educational leadership has its own unique admissions requirements, but here are some common requirements to provide with an application:
The cost of pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership varies on several factors:
Some schools offer locked-in pricing for students who remain continuously enrolled to ensure tuition will not be increased once candidates are in the program, and many offer financial aid or the ability to take on teaching assistant roles in order to minimize costs.
The average cost of a doctoral program is approximately $30,000 per year, which would bring the total for a degree in educational leadership to $90,000. The most affordable programs are offered for less than $30,000 in total.
The great thing about master’s in educational leadership programs is that they are often provided in accelerated formats and available fully online. This enables students to create their own schedules, complete coursework on their own timeline, and continue working full-time while earning their degree.
Students who don’t mind attending campus from time to time may prefer a hybrid program, and studying 100% on-campus is also an option for students who prefer consistent class schedules, hands-on learning, and meeting new friends.
Whatever your personal needs may be, there is a graduate program for you!
Online courses are flexible and can be completed at your own pace. Though most interactions are solely online, online programs still come with the same faculty, requirements, and resources available to on-campus students.
Online courses vary in length, and completion times are based on a variety of factors. Here are some things to consider:
Anyone interested in earning a degree in educational leadership or administration has plenty of career options to look forward to. Some common outcomes include:
Principal or Vice-Principal: The highest-paid position you can have with a master’s degree in educational administration will be––not surprisingly– an administrative role such as a principal or vice-principal. According to the BLS, elementary, middle school, and high school principals make an average of $98,490 per year with ~5 years of experience.
Superintendent: Although many have a PhD, some superintendents only have a master’s in educational administration. On average, school superintendents make $95,410 under the category of postsecondary education administrators, although they can make significantly more.
Teacher:. Teachers who earn a master’s in EA and remain at the instructional level (meaning you continue to teach students in a classroom and don’t transition into an administrative role) generally make less than those who go on to become educational administrators.
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With a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, so many new positions in education become available. Some positions include:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, instructional leadership positions are projected to grow at a rate of approximately 10% from 2020 to 2030. The growth of career opportunities for education administrators is projected at approximately 8%.
Though many of these positions are available to those who have attained a master’s degree, a doctoral degree and experience can lead to promotion into even higher positions. The growth in educational opportunity is a projection and depends upon many variables. Some are tied to the specific workplace, as school hiring often depends upon budgets and student enrollment. Post-secondary opportunities could grow faster with increased college admissions.
Positions in the education administration field are projected to grow 4%, and many require at least a master’s degree. A few of those positions are outlined below:
Career | Salary | Projected Job Growth (2020-2030) | About the Position |
Administrative Services Manager | $98,890 | 9% | Professionals work in organizations, schools, and other corporations to plan and direct administrative objectives. They supervise and provide clerical services, uphold standards, and recommend policy changes. |
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $98,490 | 8% | Principals oversee school activities, staff, and evaluate teacher performances. |
Human Resources Manager | $121,220 | 6% | Human resources managers complete employee screening, recruiting, hiring, termination procedures, oversee benefit programs, and consult about employment issues. |
Postsecondary Teachers | $80,560 | 12% |
Postsecondary teachers work in college and university settings conducting research and delivering lectures. They also develop and modify curriculum and instruction efforts. |
To earn a master’s degree in educational leadership, most programs require 30 credits or 10 master’s-level courses. It could take anywhere from nine months to 2.5 years to earn your degree. Course topics can vary depending on specialization, but students should expect courses in:
Because of the variety of educational leadership careers, salaries do vary. However, a principal with a Master’s in Educational Leadership can expect to make anywhere from $84,570 to $96,680. Postsecondary education administrators can expect a salary of ~$95,410 per year. School and career counselors earn $57,040 annually, according to the BLS.
According to a salary and benefits study4 conducted by AASA (School Superintendent’s Association) for the school year 2019-20, the base salary for a school superintendent with 300-999 students is $117,500. That amount increases proportionally with the number of students in attendance.
In addition to salary, the study revealed that 92% of those in doctorate-preferred positions also received medical and hospital health insurance. Others received dental insurance, optical insurance, and disability insurance as well as post-retirement health insurance.
Looking for career resources? Check out the organizations below for additional career training, certification options, job boards, mentoring opportunities, and articles.
School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | 17 : 1 | 15,287 | ||
University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 21 : 1 | 55,211 | ||
Lipscomb University Nashville, TN | 19 : 1 | 4,704 | ||
University of Georgia Athens, GA | 19 : 1 | 40,607 | ||
University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD | 22 : 1 | 40,792 |