What to Know About Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Administration

As a teacher or someone planning to enter the education field, you likely want to make a positive impact on your district, school, and students. To effect the greatest change, consider earning an online education administration degree. Although many programs accept applicants without relevant experience, many students earn online education administration degrees after working as teachers, counselors, and other education professionals.

Once you decide to pursue this degree, you may focus on online programs. Distance learning can offer immense flexibility and lower tuition, along with many other benefits.

A bachelor’s in education administration prepares graduates for higher-level work. Many learners who complete this program pursue careers as principals, which commonly requires at least a master’s degree in educational administration.

Education administrators create and lead professional development for teachers, manage their schools’ day-to-day activities, and make decisions affecting employees and students. Education administration programs prepare graduates to perform these tasks at schools and school district offices from the kindergarten to postsecondary levels.

This degree trains students for their future careers through courses in education administration best practices, theories of education, and childhood development. Although students must complete practicums and internships at schools, they often finish all other coursework online.

Online education administration degree programs appeal to students who plan to pursue careers as principals, vice principals, or instructional designers. These professions boast steady projected growth in the coming years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that from 2022-2032, the need for principals at all levels will grow by 1%, and the need for instructional coordinators will grow by 2%. These and other careers boast excellent median salaries, as well.

Education administration bachelor’s programs can prepare students for administrative and management roles in the education field. Potential careers include principal, preschool director, education coordinator, and admissions director. These programs explore topics like teacher evaluation, human resources management in education, teaching strategies, and supervision of instruction.

Education administration majors usually take core and elective courses and may need to complete capstone projects or internships to graduate. Popular courses include curriculum planning and development, childhood development, and issues in education.

Like many undergraduate programs, students must earn around 120 credits of general education, major, and elective or minor coursework. Full-time online students can graduate in four years or less if they already possess credits from other accredited colleges or universities. Cost expectations for this degree vary significantly depending on the program.

Earning an online bachelor’s in education administration begins with applying to programs. Although requirements may vary among schools, your application packets should contain many similar components. Expect to submit high school transcripts and standardized test scores. Letters of recommendation should come from your high school teachers or current work supervisors, if applicable.

Nearly all schools require undergraduate program applicants to submit essays. They may also request a personal statement where you can discuss your academic and personal accomplishments, explain your grades, and any other key information about yourself.

Finally, most applications include a $45-$70 fee. Some schools may waive fees for applicants who can prove financial need, and others let all candidates apply for free.

Choosing the best online education administration program requires you to confirm the institutional accreditation status of each prospective school. Third-party accrediting agencies review programs and institutions to ensure that schools provide an education that meets established academic standards. Many employers reject candidates whose degrees come from unaccredited schools. You can check a school’s accreditation standing by consulting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation(CHEA) directory or the Department of Education’s database.

The following list covers common courses, but offerings vary by program.

Graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education administration programs vary by school. In addition to coursework, many education administration programs require capstone or portfolio projects to graduate. If you don’t already have a teaching degree, you may also need to complete student teaching to graduate.

Your future career and salary potential depend on your personal preferences, education, career goals, relevant experience, and the job market where you plan to work. Educational administration graduates often work as government advisors, contractors, and academic department leads. Learn more about potential career paths for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in education administration below.

A bachelor’s degree in education administration can help you develop the knowledge and skills to work in education administration and leadership roles. Although you might need to earn a master’s degree to become a principal, a bachelor’s in education administration can prepare you for graduate study.

A bachelor’s degree in education administration can prepare you for various in-demand jobs in the field. However, whether or not it’s worth it depends on your academic, personal, and career goals. It also depends on how much it costs to earn the degree. You can determine your prospective return on investment by comparing the cost of the degree and your potential salary after graduation.

Educational administration focuses on school operations and creating and enforcing rules and procedures about issues like curriculum development and student behavior. Educational management, however, usually takes a broader approach and emphasizes strategic leadership and decision-making.

School principals usually need master’s degrees in education administration or education leadership. A bachelor’s degree in education administration can prepare you for graduate school. Principals also typically need several years of teaching experience and a state-issued school administrator license to work in a public institution.

The typical education administrator possesses a graduate degree and at least five years of relevant experience. Many school districts and private schools require these degrees for principal, vice principal, and other education administration positions.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed June 4, 2024.