What Does a Career in School Administration Entail?
A career in educational administration entails many years of hard work to complete your education. First, you will need to attain a bachelor's in education. From there, you will need to acquire several years’ experience in the trenches, gaining teaching experience and learning about the profession. As you teach, strive to go above and beyond the requirements of a teacher. If teachers take extra leadership roles in student clubs, coach a team, or spearhead a unique student project, they will find it easier to find a position as an education administrator, such as school principals, positions in higher education administration at colleges and universities, or other educational leadership jobs.
While each school district sets its own standards, you will probably need a master's degree in education or educational administration specifically, if not a doctoral degree, to land a position in education administration. On top of formal education, you will need to pursue continuing education units (CEUs) such as seminars, conferences, or webinars that confer a certificate of completion. In fact, your local board of education will have standards for professional development, and your teaching credential will thus depend on your completing a certain quota of CEU hours annually.
Components of A Successful Career In Education Administration
There are many components to determine what a successful career as a school administrator looks like and this can vary significantly depending on your position and title within the organization. An education administrator at a school is a term used to describe a leader or staff member in a school; positions like teachers, school principals, vice principals, school nurses, and office staff are a few examples. All school administrators need to be leaders, but also need to work as a team to produce an effective learning environment for their students.
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, you may have some of the following functions as a school administrator (depending on your title and role):
- Curriculum Planning
- Policy and planning
- Recruiting, hiring, and supervision of faculty and staff
- Student events and services
- Parent, teacher, staff, student, and community relations
- Record-keeping
- Quality assurance
- Budgeting and purchasing
- Interpretation and implementation of regulations
- Implementing Safety Protocols and Procedures
Top 25 Best Online Masters in School Administration Programs
Harvard University
Score: 93.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,076
- Out-of-State:$59,076
- Net Price: $19,491
- Acceptance Rate: 3%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 98%
- Total Enrollment: 30,631
- Undergrad Students: 9,368
- Graduate Students: 21,263
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Johns Hopkins University
Score: 89.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,340
- Out-of-State:$63,340
- Net Price: $24,034
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 31,275
- Undergrad Students: 6,044
- Graduate Students: 25,231
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Score: 83.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,895
- Out-of-State:$31,767
- Net Price: $14,852
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 36,700
- Undergrad Students: 26,254
- Graduate Students: 10,446
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Score: 82.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State:$15,414
- Net Price: $4,991
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 19,854
- Undergrad Students: 15,896
- Graduate Students: 3,958
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
San Diego State University
Score: 81.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State:$20,170
- Net Price: $13,017
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 37,402
- Undergrad Students: 32,194
- Graduate Students: 5,208
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
Stony Brook University
Score: 81.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,560
- Out-of-State:$30,350
- Net Price: $17,213
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 25,710
- Undergrad Students: 17,509
- Graduate Students: 8,201
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Northeastern University
Score: 80.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,141
- Out-of-State:$63,141
- Net Price: $35,827
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 30,013
- Undergrad Students: 16,302
- Graduate Students: 13,711
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Florida State University
Score: 80.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,656
- Out-of-State:$18,786
- Net Price: $14,003
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 44,161
- Undergrad Students: 32,936
- Graduate Students: 11,225
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 78.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State:$40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Florida-Online
Score: 78.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State:$16,579
- Net Price: $10,791
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,356
- Undergrad Students: 5,356
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 54:1
University of South Florida
Score: 77.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State:$17,324
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Indiana University-Bloomington
Score: 76.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State:$40,482
- Net Price: $16,234
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 47,005
- Undergrad Students: 35,660
- Graduate Students: 11,345
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Clemson University
Score: 76.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,554
- Out-of-State:$39,498
- Net Price: $24,577
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 28,466
- Undergrad Students: 22,566
- Graduate Students: 5,900
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 76.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Score: 76.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,910
- Out-of-State:$41,910
- Net Price: $22,675
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,733
- Undergrad Students: 660
- Graduate Students: 1,073
- Grads Salary: $98,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Score: 75.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State:$35,396
- Net Price: $17,240
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 17,153
- Undergrad Students: 12,389
- Graduate Students: 4,764
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Texas A&M International University
Score: 75.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State:$19,382
- Net Price: $5,383
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,505
- Undergrad Students: 6,979
- Graduate Students: 1,526
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
George Mason University
Score: 74.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,815
- Out-of-State:$39,397
- Net Price: $18,479
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 39,049
- Undergrad Students: 27,014
- Graduate Students: 12,035
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
LeTourneau University
Score: 74.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $26,974
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,350
- Graduate Students: 186
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Wheeling University
Score: 73.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,475
- Out-of-State:$29,475
- Net Price: $19,998
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 749
- Undergrad Students: 594
- Graduate Students: 155
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Iowa State University
Score: 73.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,497
- Out-of-State:$27,683
- Net Price: $15,310
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 29,969
- Undergrad Students: 25,241
- Graduate Students: 4,728
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Arizona State University
Score: 73.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Webster University
Score: 73.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,730
- Out-of-State:$30,730
- Net Price: $23,069
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 6,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,197
- Graduate Students: 4,199
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
California State University-Northridge
Score: 73.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State:$18,975
- Net Price: $8,936
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 37,579
- Undergrad Students: 32,181
- Graduate Students: 5,398
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
George Washington University
Score: 72.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State:$64,990
- Net Price: $42,723
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,939
- Undergrad Students: 11,482
- Graduate Students: 14,457
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Typical School Administration Degree Requirements
To become a school administrator, you will certainly need to meet the minimum standard of a bachelor's in education, a teaching credential, and several years of experience. Your job opportunities will expand greatly if you have a master's in education administration degree, a master's degree in education, or a Master of Arts in Teaching. However, you can start your education career with an associate degree in education, which might qualify you to work as a para-professional, or a teacher's assistant. Check with your local school board for specific requirements.
To complete each level of education, you must satisfy these credit-hour requirements:
- Associate Degree: 60 semester hours
- Bachelor’s Degree: 120 semester hours
- Master's Degree: 30-40 semester hours, depending on your program
Typical School Administration Certifications Needed
Typically, principals and other school administrators need an education administration or educational leadership certification. To attain this credential, you will likely need a master's degree and approximately 50 school months in teaching or education administration. Some states, such as California, require that school administrators attain a five-year provisional certification which allows them time to train and gain experience in the field prior to earning their permanent certification.
Academic Standards for a School Administration Degree
To become a school administrator, you will need a minimum of a bachelor's and a teaching certification. While the specific requirements will vary depending on your state or local school board, you should count on needing a master's degree in education and at least a provisional certificate in education administration. Even if the job does not require a graduate degree, you should assume that your competition in the job market has at least a master's degree if not a specific master's in education administration degree.
Exam/Experience Needed for a School Administration Degree
To attain an education administration degree/certification, you will need to combine experience and qualifying examination scores. Standards for the experience requirement might vary from state to state, so check with the local rules. However, you should consider 50 classroom months as a benchmark for qualifying applicants.
States might require that you pass Praxis I and II, which you will need to pass for your teaching certificate. You will also need to pass the School Leader's Licensure Assessment Test. Note that not all states require this test.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a School Administration bachelor's degree online?
Students initial bachelor's degree programs typically are slated as taking four years. However, these days, the standard for completing a four-year education degree has expanded to six years. According to government standards, students chances of graduating within six years increase according to the relative competitiveness of their chosen colleges and universities.
Try to discipline yourself and keep your eyes on the prize so that you can graduate within four to six years. In fact, if you work extra hard, you might be able to complete an undergraduate degree in three-four years. Keep in mind that most education/teaching programs will require you to complete a student-teaching internship.
How much does a School Administration bachelor’s degree cost?
An education administration bachelor's degree is not cheap. However, you can try to contain costs by attending lower-cost, public schools. Some online degrees also cost less than their on-campus equivalents. At the least, you may be able to attend an out-of-state public school for the same price as an in-state student if you take your degree online. Every state university system approaches online courses differently, so please research the cost.
That said, if you attend your first two years at a community college and then finish at a state university, your total cost can be as low as $30,000. On the other hand, if you attend an elite private university, your total educational costs can rise as high as $300,000.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
If you feel the calling to pursue a career in School Administration, you need to start out with the appropriate bachelor's degree. Undergraduate programs are typically focused on teaching, which you will need to do prior to moving up into educational administration. Thus, make sure that your school has a major program that grooms you for a teaching credential. Note that some Education departments focus on primary (elementary through middle school) or secondary education, and some offer the full spectrum. The credentials are similar, but distinct, for each. Make sure you are certain of which age groups you wish to work with and that your school will support your goals.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
When you talk to an admissions counselor, ask about their attrition rates and how many students graduate on time. Attrition rates will tell you the percentage of students who leave the school without completing a degree. Then, when you know how many graduate in a timely fashion, you’ll have a good assessment of the success of the school's student body.
What kind of accreditation does the program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Accreditation is of vital importance for any degree program, but if your program's credentials don't meet certain standards, your education career might not gain traction. That is, the state Board of Education might deem that non-accredited degrees don’t meet their standards for licensure.
Look for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and your state's Board of Education. When you are in the process of researching and applying to schools, make sure their graduates aren't having trouble attaining a teaching license.
Professional School Administration Organizations
NEA
National Education Association
This is perhaps one of the largest associations for educators in the nation. The NEA provides grants for educators of all sorts. Members include classroom teachers, educational support professionals, substitute educators, and school administrators, among others. The NEA focuses on human and civil rights, college affordability, and achievement gaps among various demographic groups. Their advocacy supports the entire profession.
AAE
Association of American Educators
The AAE gives back to its members in terms of insurance programs, scholarships, and professional resources. They do not support collective bargaining practices, however, as the organization feels that this practice harms service to students. In fact, a core value of the AAE is that education be student-focused.
NAASP
National Association of Secondary School Principals
The NAASP will support your career once you become a principal in a high school. They offer online CEU credits, informative publications, and they advocate for educators at the state and national levels.