Online Education Administration Schools

Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in education administration prepares students and professionals to work in managerial positions in educational institutions. Educational administrators can work in preschools; elementary, middle, and high schools; colleges and universities; and other organizations offering educational services. They might serve various roles in these settings, such as managing admissions or running specific academic departments.

These occupations offer stable salaries, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects many of them to expand in the coming years. For example, the BLS projects occupations for postsecondary education administrators to grow by 3% from 2022-2032. An online bachelor’s in education administration prepares students to work as postsecondary education administrators and in other roles in the education administration field.

Graduates with degrees in education administration qualify for a wide range of careers serving various populations. They most traditionally pursue roles in management or administrative services at educational institutions, working as principals, deans, or department administrators. Because education administration degrees blend knowledge from the business and education fields, graduates can also work in administrative positions for corporations, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies with a focus on education.

No degree guarantees a specific position or salary, but education administration degrees qualify students to take on many careers in this field.

Salaries and job growth rates may fluctuate throughout the United States depending on local economic landscape, industry demand, and cost of living, among other factors. States with the highest concentrations of postsecondary education administrators include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa, and Mississippi. The highest-paying states for this occupation include New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, California, and New York. The list below illustrates salary and job growth data for education administration professionals in all states.

Online education administration degree curricula prepare students for leadership and management positions in the education field. Courses focus on leadership, resource management, evaluation, education laws and regulations, and other topics relevant to the daily operations of educational organizations. See below a few examples of courses students may encounter in their education administration program. Students should research their prospective institution and program for specific course offerings and degree requirements.

Several factors come into play when choosing an online education administration program, including school prestige, tuition, accreditation, degree offerings, available courses, course delivery format, and faculty members. Students should research a variety of programs and select one that aligns with their intellectual interests, scheduling needs, and professional goals. Students who want to gain hands-on experience during their degree program, for example, should research programs that embed internship components into their curricula.

Most programs publish a complete course schedule the semester before. Browse course offerings in the education department or college, looking for courses that fulfill major or general education requirements. Then tailor your coursework based on your professional interests. For instance, if want to work in early childhood education administration, consider looking for courses in early childhood development. Check in with an academic advisor to make sure you stay on track to complete your degree.

Faculty members boast expertise in particular professional areas. In your research, investigate whether your prospective professors specialize in your areas of professional interest. These professors can provide personalized advice and might provide mentorship for your career endeavors. If you aim to work as an education administrator in disability services, research programs with faculty who specialize in working with neurodiverse learners.

Yes, seek a curriculum that aligns with your professional goals. Many education administration programs offer various concentration options, so focus on programs offering concentrations in your area of interest. Pay attention to curricula emphases, as well. For instance, prospective students interested in education administration research may want to matriculate into a program that requires a bachelor’s thesis.

Online students in education administration degree programs generally enjoy the same access to courses and faculty as their on-campus counterparts. Distance learners may encounter a slightly smaller selection of courses than traditional in-residence students in the department, but they can still fulfill their degree requirements online. Online programs with internship components typically place students in appropriate internships in their local communities.

Some institutions only offer bachelor’s degrees in education administration, while other schools may offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Considering the availability of these degrees at an institution of interest may prove useful when considering your next steps beyond graduation, since students planning to pursue advanced degrees may want to stay at the same school.

Online courses follow either asynchronous or synchronous formats. Asynchronous courses provide students with more flexibility for completing assignments and watching lectures, as long as they meet the required deadlines. Synchronous formats, on the other hand, require students to log in at set times and participate in live virtual classroom sessions. Students should choose the best format for their scheduling needs.

Online bachelor’s degrees in education administration typically require 120 credit hours of coursework and take four years to complete. Required coursework usually includes major-related courses, general education credits, and elective credits. Some programs require a practicum or internship experience, a capstone project, or a bachelor’s thesis.

Bachelor’s degrees in education administration often prove costly, but students can consider several payment options. Local, state, and federal institutions offer financial aid, as do private companies. Financial aid can come in the form of loans, work study programs, grants, and scholarships. Grants and scholarships are particularly beneficial because students do not need to pay them back. The table below features a few scholarships available to students majoring in education administration.