Educational leadership is as important as it sounds. But what exactly does it mean? A quick web search will offer many different meanings. Still, they share one central idea: helping educators perform their best so students can thrive.
The impact of educational leadership is broad and far-reaching. As a leader in education, your influence can be felt from the classroom where teachers and students interact to the boardrooms where tomorrow’s leaders make important decisions, and everywhere in between. Educational Leadership Roles: Key Positions and Career Paths
In terms of professional roles, educational leadership encompasses the following:
These, too, share a common element: they each require a master’s degree. A master’s degree in educational leadership can be your next step toward a leadership position in elementary and secondary schools. Graduate degrees put you on the path to increased career potential and can enhance your professional credibility in education and in many other professions.
Aside from the fact that it’s a requirement, a master’s degree in educational leadership is where you hone leadership expertise. As a student in an MA in educational leadership program, you’ll undergo training in a diverse range of crucial areas of leadership, including:
An MA in educational leadership prepares you to become a school leader that drives positive change by improving educational processes in elementary and secondary schools.
Pursuing a career in educational leadership offers a wide range of personal and professional rewards. As an educational leader, you’ll not only have the opportunity to influence the lives of students and teachers but also shape the future of education. Here are some key benefits of stepping into an educational leadership role:
As an educational leader, your role directly impacts teachers and their ability to succeed. Here’s how you’ll help:
By leading schools, you shape the futures of students. Key benefits include:
Pursuing a career in educational leadership not only offers the opportunity to make a significant impact but also provides attractive financial rewards. Consider the following salary insights:
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least one year of teaching experience, you’ve already met some of the major requirements to enroll in a graduate degree program. You’ll also need to meet minimum GPA requirements and may need to submit additional requirements such as essays or letters of recommendations.
Certain educational and professional requirements must be met before becoming an education leader. Beyond that, however, there are a number of key personality traits you should possess.
As a principal, for example, you’ll regularly interact with fellow administrators, teachers, students, and parents, “people skills” are critical in this position.
The BLS suggests that the most important nonacademic skills for those aiming for a leadership role are:
Thinking about taking the next step in your education career? These frequently asked questions address what a master’s degree in educational leadership involves, why it’s important, and the kinds of roles it can prepare you for.
An online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas Permian Basin has many advantages. Asynchronous, 100% online learning means you can complete coursework anywhere, on your own schedule. (Students already working demanding jobs in education or balancing your education with family obligations—we’re looking at you.)
Our flexible program has six start dates a year and enables you to earn your MA in educational leadership in as little as one year. It features the same curriculum and acclaimed faculty members who teach on the UT Permian Basin campus at the College of Education, which is accredited by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Our online program has practicum experiences that help you prepare for principal certification and superintendent certification opportunities ideal for students seeking K-12 educational leadership roles within Texas.
Learn more about the benefits of UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership today.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119032.htm#(2)
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm#tab-4
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