Last updated on February 16th, 2024 at 07:00 pm
Our modern society is built on a foundation of education, made possible by the hard work of millions of teachers and administrators. These passionate professionals work hard to fulfill a shared vision: a knowledgeable population, equipped with curiosity, empathy, and a thirst to learn more. Educators face many challenges, however, and must juggle a myriad of complex tasks every day. They need support and structure, which is best provided by school leaders who share their passion.
Enter the educational leader. This visionary feels strongly about the outsized impact of education on every facet of our modern world. Educational leaders deeply appreciate the contributions of teachers, professors, and other instructors — and they are determined to provide the resources and guidance they require.
This niche provides many opportunities to make a difference, but there are complex challenges involved. We delve into both below while answering several key, career-driven questions: What is educational leadership, why does it matter, and what can I do with a master’s in educational leadership?
What Is Educational Leadership?
Educational leadership represents a visionary approach to educational systems in which students, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders are aligned by common goals. Educational leaders strive to reimagine learning while bringing compelling yet achievable visions to the forefront. They also deliver the nuanced support needed to bring these visions to life.
Why Is Leadership in Education Important?
An educational institution, like any organization, risks stagnating without strong leadership. But with skilled and passionate leaders guiding the way, these institutions can undergo necessary changes while preserving the unique qualities that endear them to students and teachers alike. Educational leadership is a must for overcoming challenges and making the most of valuable opportunities.
How Does Educational Leadership Influence Academia?
Educational leaders are as crucial in the world of higher education as they are for K-12 schools. With colleges and universities, these leaders provide the resources and planning needed to help academic departments pursue exciting and impactful research initiatives. Backed by such solid support, those institutions can achieve a wide range of goals, encompassing both cutting-edge research and quality instruction. Additionally, leadership can help higher education institutions boost their enrollment and academic attainment.
Why Consider a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership?
Given the high demands and expectations related to educational leadership, it should come as no surprise that this career track calls for extensive and highly targeted training. For many aspiring leaders, this is best achieved by enrolling in an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership program. Also known as the master’s in educational leadership, this degree is designed to help ambitious administrators advance in their careers.
Perhaps you’re wondering, what is a master’s in educational leadership, and what does it involve? Below, we offer all the essential details about this powerful master’s degree, along with insight into the many personal, professional, and even societal benefits it can promote.
The Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
There are many benefits to studying educational leadership at the graduate level, but the number-one advantage is arguably that a master’s degree represents a core requirement for getting hired in the first place. Without the right degree, it can be difficult to break into this niche. Other benefits worth considering include:
- Skill development – From research acumen to communication, empathy, and creativity, this graduate degree program provides ample opportunities for aspiring educational leaders to expand their skill sets.
- Networking – Although a strong resume can make it easier to score leadership positions, networking is also a critical piece of the puzzle. Graduate programs expose aspiring leaders to the field’s best and brightest, making it easier to build an expansive network.
Educational Leadership Career Outlook
Educational leadership has a generally positive outlook, although this varies a bit between relevant niches. Data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals a job outlook of 4 percent for postsecondary education administrators, which slightly exceeds the 3 percent average across all occupations. The outlook is also referred to as “average” for instructional coordinators and for “top executives,” which encompasses several roles in educational leadership. The right degree can provide a significant edge, though, helping aspiring leaders gain a foothold in an often competitive field.
How to Choose the Right Educational Leadership Program
Many factors play into graduate school selection, and if you are intent on entering an educational leadership program, you want to feel confident that your program can help you develop the most relevant skills. Being able to answer the question, “What is a master’s in educational leadership?” is an essential first step, but now it’s time to take a closer look at the specific qualities that will set your graduate program apart:
Online vs. On-Campus Programs
Many passionate professionals become educational leaders after gaining years of experience as teachers or administrators. If you want to continue working in the field while also pursuing your degree, an online program may provide the flexibility you need to handle these commitments.
There are benefits to studying on campus, of course, and some people prefer the camaraderie of an in-person experience. Yet elements of this can be recreated through online education, and the ideal online degree program will provide plenty of opportunities to build strong relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students.
Skills Gained in an Educational Leadership Program
Skill development should be a central concern as you select a master’s program. While the degree itself will give your resume a boost, it needs to be accompanied by in-demand skills. A few of the most notable skills needed include:
- Leadership skills – From delegation to decision-making, leaders must develop a variety of skills that allow them to oversee many faculty members, departments, and administrative processes or policies. These may encompass crisis management and even fiscal matters. Meanwhile, leaders must also be capable of developing and conveying their vision for the schools or other institutions they support. A graduate program provides plenty of opportunities to develop and practice these skills.
- Instructional leadership – As a specific manifestation of educational leadership, instructional leadership ensures that students and teachers are able to navigate a safe and supportive learning environment. Effective instructional leaders are able to secure access to the resources and materials that students and staff require while maintaining a values-driven approach. These concepts are explored in detail while pursuing a master’s degree.
- Data literacy and analytics – Increasingly, educational leadership draws on a data-driven approach, in which educational leaders facilitate the extensive collection of relevant data to reveal how their schools or districts are performing. This can be a valuable forecasting tool, helping leaders determine how various policies might play out. Technological competency is a cornerstone of the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.
Considering Cost and Time Commitment
Cost and duration should be key considerations when selecting a master’s degree program. While graduate-level training can lead to many exciting and well-paid positions, the cost of attendance can vary substantially between colleges and universities that offer educational leadership programs. Verify that your preferred program will be transparent and upfront about tuition costs and also that scholarships or financial aid will be available to help offset these expenses.
The good news? These programs can often be completed in just one year, although some are more flexible than others and may be able to accommodate students with their unique scheduling needs.
Many students complete key coursework requirements while continuing to work on a full-time basis. This approach can be advantageous, in part, because it makes it possible to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world, professional settings.
Career Opportunities With a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
We’ve touched on a few core considerations for choosing a master’s program, but in all likelihood, this will boil down to a central concern: What can I do with a master’s in educational leadership?
Remember, educational leadership is a diverse field that provides many opportunities to make a difference. Equipped with your master’s degree, you will be prepared to take on today’s most exciting administrative and leadership roles, several of which are detailed below:
Administration Roles in Academia
Administrative professionals keep numerous academic institutions running smoothly. There are many compelling administrative positions available, with many administrative leaders working in student affairs, academic affairs, or enrollment and admissions. Job duties can vary dramatically based on which departments these administrators oversee, but many employ a data-driven approach to help institutions reach critical benchmarks and abide by their overarching mission and vision.
Curriculum Design and Instruction Expertise
Curriculum and instructional design represent some of the most cutting-edge opportunities in educational leadership. Instructional designers develop courses and training materials to help students gain new skills as well as help educators teach more effectively. Instructional coordination is important, too; it emphasizes how curricula are implemented and how effective current teaching methods are.
Policy-Making and Advocacy in Education
Educational leaders and administrators play crucial roles in developing and implementing policies that ensure that schools can become safe, healthy, and productive environments. Through these policies, they can have a significant influence on curricula and learning strategies. What’s more, educational leaders can have a voice beyond the confines of the school or district and may help advocate for policies that make a positive overarching difference for education.
Special Education Leadership
Special education professionals need support as they instruct students with disabilities. Leaders can provide this through their expertise in research evaluation and assessment while also drawing on the power of data to help improve special education programs and their outcomes. This is a wonderful niche within educational leadership that may appeal to previous special education teachers hoping to advance in their careers.
Expectations From an Educational Leadership Career
If you find the aforementioned career opportunities exciting, it’s time to start getting prepared. This means not only learning more about leadership and administrative roles but also discovering occupational trends and understanding the many challenges educational leaders face. Be mindful of these realities:
- Budgetary issues
- Challenges with recruiting and retaining staff
- Growing expectation for culturally responsive leadership
- Stakeholder resistance to new policies or strategies
Occupational Trends in Educational Leadership
Educational leadership has changed a great deal in recent years, with developments sparked by emerging technologies and an increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The educational leaders of tomorrow will need to navigate these changes and understand their implications for students, teachers, administration, and the community at large. Noteworthy trends include:
- Integration of technology – From smart boards in the classroom to data-driven administrative practices, advanced technology plays into every area of the modern educational system. Educational leaders can play a valuable role in selecting the technological solutions best suited to students and teachers while also providing sufficient infrastructure and support as these are implemented.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion – DEI should not be merely categorized as a trend — this should be a priority for leaders, with these values built into the culture of every district, school, and classroom. Educational leaders can demonstrate that they prioritize DEI by striving for diversity in administration while engaging in productive dialog with stakeholders from a range of backgrounds.
Advancing Your Career in Educational Leadership
Educational leadership is a compelling but competitive field in which the best opportunities are granted to job candidates with years of experience in education plus targeted leadership training. A strong vision for the future is also a must, and this passion should be at the forefront while pursuing relevant degrees or certifications.
Certifications and Licensure for Educational Leaders
When selecting a master’s program, be mindful of how or whether these lead to licensure. With the Master of Education in Educational Leadership, for example, multiple paths to licensure are available, including a Principal Track and a Full Certification track. Both provide ample opportunities for future leaders to gain skills relevant to their specific career goals.
Post-graduate certificates provide additional opportunities for aspiring educational leaders to expand upon their theoretical knowledge. The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Educational Leadership provides exposure to essential concepts that underscore today’s quickly changing landscape in educational leadership.
Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership
Many aspiring educational leaders seek their doctorate degrees, which reflect an eager drive to delve into the latest and most impactful research initiatives. However, this degree is not required for all educational leadership positions, so aspiring leaders should be mindful of their specific career goals and how various degree programs will support these.
Is Educational Leadership a Good Career?
Educational leadership can be a good career, but it must be passion-driven. Success in educational leadership comes with a genuine desire to make a difference and to support both students and faculty in their love of learning.
Salem’s Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership program could be an excellent fit. This is your chance to gain a comprehensive skill set and prepare for a bright future as an educational leader. Reach out today to learn more about this compelling program.
Tags: Career Advancement, Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Masters Programs, Teaching
