What Is Educational Management?
Educational management is both a field of academic study and a collective group of professionals that includes principals, teachers and other education professionals. The field is sometimes also known as educational administration. The principles of educational management may also be used outside of academic environments, by governmental agencies, think tanks and private corporations. Read on to learn more. Schools offering College Administration & Leadership degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Educational Management Defined
Educational management can refer to either a field of study or to the professionals who work in that field. It is commonly associated with elementary and secondary schools as well as institutes of higher learning like colleges and universities. Educational management professionals can also be found working in governmental agencies, private companies and not-for-profit organizations. Those working in educational management might act as policy-makers, researchers or consultants to help evaluate and develop ways to enrich and enhance the educational system at all levels. Most educational management professionals have earned at least a master's degree and many are licensed teachers or principals.
Available Degree Programs
If you're interested in an educational management career, you'll likely need to complete a master's or doctoral degree program. Some of these programs are intended specifically for public education teachers and administrators; however, completing a teacher education program is not a requirement for enrollment in some educational management programs. You can also find educational management programs that focus on preparing you for careers in higher education. Master's degree programs might require completion of a thesis project and internship. Doctoral programs generally require a dissertation based on original research.
Common Coursework
The core coursework in educational management degree programs varies slightly from program to program. Listed below are some common courses that you can expect to encounter in a graduate-level educational management program:
- Education economics
- Education legislation
- Public policy and education
- Management of educational organizations
- Evaluation of educational systems
Career Opportunities and Occupational Outlook
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for educational administrators are projected to grow eight percent between 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov). The majority of this growth is expected for positions within pre-K, elementary, secondary and postsecondary institutions. The BLS also indicated that job opportunities might increase due to a need to replace retiring professionals. Additionally, the advanced educational requirements for many positions might deter some from pursuing openings in the field, making positions more readily available to those who do hold the necessary degrees.
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