What does an education administrator do?
Educational administrators manage daily activities and oversee a variety of academic institutions, including preschools, day care centers, schools and colleges and universities. They set academic standards and goals and set up procedures and policies to accomplish them. They oversee teachers, librarians, counselors, coaches, managers and support staff.
Education administrators also work to create academic programs, train and inspire teachers and staff, monitor the overall academic progress of students, prepare budgets and manage records, career counseling and other student services. They consult with museums, business, correctional facilities, community service organizations and job training resources regarding specific educational programs.
What kind of training does an education administrator need?
For most educational administrator positions a master or doctoral degree in educational leadership or education administration is required. For administrators of preschools and day care centers, a bachelor degree may be sufficient. College administrators usually have a master or doctoral degree in higher education administration, educational leadership, or college student affairs.
Most education administrators start their career as teachers or other education professionals and pursue a master or doctorate degree while working. Some education administrators advance from related staff positions such as school counselor, recruiter, professor, financial aid counselor, or admissions counselor. Education administrators in the public school system are required to be licensed in most states.
Education administrators must also be effective leaders who can make sound decisions, organize and coordinate work and activities efficiently. They should be an effective motivator and communicator and must also have strong knowledge of leadership practices and principles that are obtained only through a combination of formal education and work experience.
What are the prospects for a career in education administration?
Education administrator jobs is expected to grow about as fast as average for all professions, increasing 12%, from 443,000 jobs in 2006 to more than 496,000 jobs in 2016. (1) Growth is driven by the increase in administrative responsibilities in schools, especially in monitoring student progress. A large number of people already in this field are expected to retire during the next decade, as well.
How much do education administrators make?
Currently, the starting salaries for entry-level administrators of education in elementary or secondary schools is around $41,400, with earnings exceeding $70,000 for those with 20 or more years of experience. Those in education administration of preschool or child-care centers have salaries starting around $30,000. (2) A higher education administrator for a college or university in a number of various capacities will earn an average salary of over $100,000 per year. (1)
A career in education administration is an excellent choice for current educational professionals who possess strong leadership, confidence, motivation, and determination. Since education administration jobs involve working and collaborating with a variety of people – from students and staff to community and business leaders – strong communication and interpersonal skills are crucial. People who enter careers in administration in education must also be able to handle stress and deal with unfavorable situations from time to time.
