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Best Online Degrees in: Education Administration

education degree

Explore a Bachelor's Degree in Education Administration

If you are interested in a career in education helping students reach their full potential, but you would rather not teach, you may want to earn an online bachelor's degree in education administration. A bachelor's degree can typically be earned in four years, though the amount of time can vary. If you are able to attend school full time, successfully pass each course, and have previously earned credits that you can transfer toward your degree, the amount of time it takes you to earn your degree may be reduced. Though attending school part time or having to repeat courses can add to the amount of time it takes you to earn your degree. The specific requirements of the institution can also affect program length.

Class Curriculum

An online bachelor's degree in education administration will examine the structure of educational facilities and the skills needed to oversee and manage them. Each institution will have different curriculum requirements, but here are a few of the more common courses found in an education administration program:

  • Teacher Supervision and Evaluation. This course will focus on developing the skills needed to ensure a teacher is competent and qualified. Students will learn techniques used to evaluate a teacher's performance, teaching improvement methods, supervisory practices, and staff development techniques.
  • Administrative and Organizational Theory. This course will teach students how to manage educational institutions. Students will learn leadership and management skills, and practices in use today.
  • Educational Program Evaluation. This course will teach students how to evaluate, develop, and plan curriculum and educational programs. Students will learn about topics including ethics, program design, and measurement of program success.

Exams and written assignments will be used to measure your competence of each subject being covered. Some of your projects may include developing curriculum, implementing the appropriate leadership techniques for certain scenarios, and evaluating a program, and identifying and resolving problems. Some programs may require you to gain hands-on training and real-world experience at a local school by shadowing an education administrator.

Building a Career

Once you earn your bachelor's degree in education administration, you should have a good understanding of how an educational institution operates and know how to effectively manage the faculty, ensure teacher competence, and evaluate curriculum. Many education administration majors go into a career as a school principal. Most states require public elementary, middle, and high school principals to have at least a master's degree, though the requirements of private facilities may vary. If a master's degree is required, depending on your college's or university's requirements, you may be able to use your bachelor's degree as a stepping stone toward a master's degree in education administration.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is expecting to see a 10% increase in employment for school principals through the year 2020. However, earning your degree does not guarantee employment. The BLS also shows that principals earn an average income of $86,970 a year, though your income will depend on several factors, such as the type of institution you work for, what city and state you work in, and your level of experience and education.