Best Online Master’s in Education Administration

Most education professionals report their jobs as meaningful and highly satisfactory — particularly education administrators. As leaders, education administrators can often effect high-level change for students’ futures.

Professionals interested in this rewarding job should consider continuing their education with an online master’s in education administration. Read more about this degree and explore our top program picks.

Each online master’s in educational administration program offers a unique curriculum and focus. Students should carefully consider which school provides the program most aligned with their experience, interests, and career goals.

For example, some programs take a general approach to education leadership, while others offer principal, special education, or higher education administration specializations. Admission requirements also vary.

Schools commonly expect each applicant to have an active teaching license and professional experience. However, some schools accept students with non-teaching backgrounds, particularly for general or policy concentrations.

Other important considerations include accreditation and cost. Institutional accreditation confirms that the entire school offers high-quality coursework, while programmatic accreditation indicates that a department or program within the school meets quality standards from third parties like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Tuition rates for online master’s degrees in educational administration vary depending on the number of required credits, the school’s prestige, and state residency. Additional expenses like technology and book fees can also impact the total cost.

Students can apply for federal loans and grants by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provided their chosen school holds institutional accreditation. They can also apply for merit- and need-based scholarships to help cover the costs.

Coursework varies by program, but the following list covers several common master’s in education administration classes.

Many education administration careers require licensure. For example, a principal typically must hold a master’s degree and a state-issued license to qualify for job opportunities. However, most higher education administrators do not need licenses. Requirements vary by state, so prospective school administrators should research the terms in the state where they plan to work.

A master of education administration degree can pave the way for school or program management careers. Degree-seekers typically choose this degree to enter administrative roles outside the classroom that still positively influence student outcomes, curriculums, and programs.

Career options for graduates with master’s degrees in education administration have varied salary potential. For example, a preschool director earns a median salary of $54,290, according to May 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, postsecondary education administrators and school principals each earn median salaries of more than $100,000.

Pursuing credentials, like certifications, licensure, or a doctoral degree, may also affect job prospects and salaries for education administrators. For instance, admissions officers may only need a master’s degree for employment, but a Ph.D. may be required for a dean position. Similarly, some school districts may prefer superintendent candidates with doctorates.

A master of education administration prepares students to pursue advanced roles in education as instructional coordinators and school principals. Programs vary among schools but typically require 30-40 credits, with courses exploring multicultural education, school administration, and public school law.

A principal usually needs a master of education administration or a similar degree, which includes courses like personnel administration, school and community relations, and school leadership. Some states may require principals to have a school administration license in addition to a master’s degree.

Yes — salaries for professionals with educational administration degrees are strong. The BLS reports that kindergarten through secondary education administrators earned an average annual wage of $111,060. The BLS also projects employment for principals to grow by 1% from 2022-2032.

Program lengths vary for online master’s degrees in education administration. Typically, students can finish their coursework in around two years. Most programs require 30-36 credits.

School management involves overseeing operations for an educational institution, while education administrators direct and organize on a higher level. For instance, school managers might monitor teachers’ work performance, while educational administrators create educators’ policies and standards.