If you are a current teacher or have some experience in the field of education, have you ever considered what it would be like to lead an institution? For the educator, a leadership position can mean providing insight during the curriculum development process, leading a team of instructors responsible for teaching students of various age groups and even acting as a representative for the university you work for.
All of these extremely important duties can help to increase the quality of educational programs at your school and lead to better opportunities for the students enrolled. The Masters in Education – Educational Leadership program may be an important component for educational professionals interested in pursuing titles such as school administrator, principal or even superintendent. The information gained throughout this degree can even be relevant to all levels of education.
The Masters in Education – Educational Leadership degree program can be a great way for upcoming students to learn the skills necessary for obtaining higher level positions at universities all over the country.
If you have some experience in the field of education and wish to provide guidance and insight to teams of educational professionals in your area – this could be a great option for you. The Master in Education – Educational Leadership program can be found at reputable universities, with most having the ability to be completed within 1-2 years. As you read more into this degree program, you should consider how this degree program could assist you in pursuing your specific goals for your future.
It can be overwhelming to choose from a wide variety of different degree programs, all offering similar courses and outcomes. Our team of educational experts has put together this guide in an effort to help you learn more about this degree program and to make the decision-making process a little easier for you.
Throughout the guide, you can see the different topics of interest that may be taught through degree courses, the common questions pertaining to this degree program and colleges and universities currently offering this program. Your desire to lead others in the field of education can be your first step to gaining the education it takes to undertake this fascinating career. Read more in the guide below to see if this program is right for you.
Example Educational Leadership Degree Courses
Educational leaders should have ample experience working in as a teacher or as a professional in the field of education or have the right credentials to pursue positions that may lead those that provide educational services to students at different levels.
Some students entering into this degree program may have this experience, while others may be new to the field of education overall. In order to accommodate for this difference in experience, colleges offering the Masters in Education – Educational Leadership have provided a curriculum that can help both types of people become accustomed to the management environment of the field of education.
This degree program may be focused on the organizational aspects of education, such as personnel management, educational policy and curriculum development. Each of these topics can assist in providing knowledgeable professionals to lead in the learning environment. Since professionals with this type of degree can provide leadership in both the educational and policy sectors of this field, the courses should include some concepts that are relevant to both areas.
Depending on the college you attend, there could be some variation in the types of courses you take during your degree program. In order to really gain better insight into the program you are considering for enrollment, you should review the degree-specific curriculum prior to submitting your application.
Our team of educational experts has reviewed some of the most chosen Masters in Education – Educational Leadership programs available. Throughout their search, the team was able to locate some of the most common courses found in the curriculum.
They have defined the courses briefly below to help you get a better grasp of the type of topics that may be discussed throughout your program. Some of the topics included may be related to the financial management of educational institutions, the adherence to law and policy and topics specific to teaching in the classroom. Blended together, these courses can help students become better leaders with top skills in providing great quality education.
Assessment Strategies
Students enrolled in this class can learn to optimize the assessment process through the use of formative and summative assessments, proper evaluation practices and a data-driven curriculum. This course is a great option for students that are interesting in being a part of the development process for assessments at all levels of education. Those enrolled in this cours can also identify the relationship between the assessment and the development of needs-based educational programs across the United States.
Financial Management
There are many different resources for financial support in educational systems in the U.S. This course can help students become familiar with the state, local and government resources providing for educational funding. Other financial skills such as budgeting, account monitoring and allocation of resources may also be discussed, helping students to see the various aspects of financial management present within the field of education.
Educational Law and Policy
The field of education can involve many pleasant occurrences, as well as those that may involve conflicts. When conflicts arise, educational leaders should be aware of the laws and regulations present to help guide their decision. Part of this course may include a look into the historical foundations of educational law, as well as research opportunities that can be conducted independently or in groups. This course can help students become better aware of the legal processes and regulations present in the field of education.
Internship for Educational Leadership
This class can be very different depending on which university you choose for your program. In order for students to get the best possible outlook on the field of educational leadership, they should have the opportunity to exercise their skills in the real-world environment. This internship requirement may involve students spending time in a professional environment, receiving tips and guidance from current educational leaders.
Research Methods in Education
In the field of education, it is important for professionals to continuously learn and research ideas to help improve their field. In this course, students can learn about the different types of research skills that can be applied in the educational setting. Students can learn how to differentiate between reliable and non-reliable research, identifying scientifically-sound research and applying their ideas to research projects for future advancement.
Potential Salary for Masters in Educational Leadership Graduates
A Masters in Education – Educational Leadership can be a great tool for obtaining some of the more uncommon positions in the field of education. Students entering the program that have a history in educational careers can potentially qualify for higher-tier positions with the addition of a leadership degree.
Before you decide to take the plunge into higher education programs, you should always research both the constituents of the degree program as well as the potential career outcomes possible with that specific degree. A lot of educational professionals choose to enter into degree programs such as this one to work towards more advanced careers in their current positions. The curriculum of the educational leadership program may cater to the needs of upcoming superintendents, principals or even educational administrators.
Leadership in the field of education can be a complex, yet fulfilling, career opportunity for those that choose to pursue it. In addition to these university and school-specific career options, having a diverse understanding of the field of education could also lead to careers at the government level. Since there is constantly research being done to improve the field of education, professionals with advanced knowledge may be called upon to help during the decision-making process.
Becoming a educator is one of the many different career options available to those that complete this degree program. Since a lot of people enter into this degree field in an effort to obtain leadership positions, it may come as no surprise that one of the most popular careers for people at this level may be school principal.
The earning potential for this career field may also be higher than standard educator salaries, since there is much more management responsibility associated with this area. The BLS reports that school principals earn around $94,390 per year in the U.S.
At the college level, educational leadership specialist may also be able to find a place within the staff. Postsecondary Education Administrators can be an important part of the college experience.
If you choose to pursue a position such as this, you could play a role in organizing educational services for students in attendance, providing leadership to members of the administrative staff and work hard to ensure that your department is following all necessary policies and protocol during the daily operation of classes and student interaction. The BLS reports that postsecondary educational administrators can earn $92,360 on average per year at universities all over the country.
Common Questions About A Master’s In Educational Leadership
Is the Educational Leadership program suitable for someone with a full-time job?
This online degree program can be a great complement to a full-time job – especially in the field of education. If you currently work in the field of education, you may be able to use your current career during the internship requirement at some universities.
Do I need teaching experience to benefit from this degree program?
Teaching experience may not be required for all programs offering this major. While it can be a great asset to learning more about the fundamentals of educational leadership, you can enter into most programs without having it.
Are there programs available with no internship requirement?
There are plenty of online programs available for you to choose from that do not include an internship requirement. However, be sure to research the prerequisite requirements of these programs, because some may require that you have some prior experience in the field of education.
Estimated Cost and Length of the Program
The length of educational programs can be very different depending on where you are search. At the master’s level, a lot of programs can be completed in 2 years or less. Through their search of educational programs provided in the country, our team has found some programs that could potentially be completed in 1-2 years, depending on how often students can attend class and dedicate their time to studying. Take a look at the list below to see some schools with faster completion times within this degree area.
- American College of Education: Online Masters in Education – Educational Leadership – $8,990 per the entire program – 1-2 years for completion
- Western Governors University: Online Masters in Education – Educational Leadership – $3,190 per 6 month term – 1-2 years for completion
In current society, some upcoming college students may have very different preferences in terms of what they want in a degree program. For some students, the quality of the school and accreditation of the degree program may be enough to satisfy their needs, while others have more specific attributes they are searching for.
Some of the most talked about topics for educational programs may include both the cost of each program and the time it takes to complete the entire degree and begin working in the field. Our team of experts has provided a list below of a few example schools offering this program, the cost of each program and how long it takes to complete each one. Check out this information below this section.
The cost of a degree program can often influence your decision on whether to pursue it. Each college may have a different method of presenting these costs, with some listing total program cost and others breaking costs up by per or semester.
Fees and university charges may also be extra charges not included in the tuition rates, so it may be important for you to review these additional costs before making your decision. Another component that can affect costs indirectly is the length of time it takes you to complete your degree program.
