Why Get an Online Master’s Degree in Educational Administration?
Educational administrators can pursue a variety of positions in either K-12 or higher education. They can work as principals, curriculum developers, superintendents, or deans.
Administrators are responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing all aspects of day-to-day school activities. They also work on long-term projects.
Most professionals need at least five or more years before advancing to administrative roles. But K-12 schools may demand less experience. These professionals can read blogs for teachers and administrators to discover career paths and keep up with education news.
Aspiring school administrators must earn a master’s degree in the field. A master's prepares learners for licensure or certification, which is required for all public institutions and varies by state.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects postsecondary educational administrator jobs to grow 4% from 2022-2032, about as fast as average. These professionals also make salaries above the national average for all occupations. They earn a median annual salary of $99,940. K-12 principals, in comparison, earn a median salary of $101,320 annually.
Given the busy schedules of working teachers, online master’s degrees have become increasingly popular in recent years. Online degrees provide the same rigor and quality curriculum as traditional on-campus options. Below, find our top five online master's in educational administration degree picks.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration Programs 2023
#1 The 5 Best Master’s in Educational Administration Online
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,950
Out-of-State | $1,950
Credits to Graduate: 30
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development at GW has offered educational administration degrees since the early 1990s. You can earn a master's in educational leadership with a focus on diverse communities in less than two years.
Along with an internship, you'll complete coursework in curriculum and instruction, school law and policy, leadership for equity, and administrative issues. These classes prepare you to pursue certification in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia.
Admission requires a bachelor's degree and at least one year of teaching experience.
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 The 5 Best Master’s in Educational Administration Online
Tarleton State University
- Stephenville, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $509
Out-of-State | $775
Credits to Graduate: 30-33
The Texas-based Tarleton, which opened in 1899, features a master's in educational administration degree with available tracks in principal certification, higher education leadership, or educational technology leadership.
Students watch videos and engage with interactive materials to learn about educational leadership research, instructional development and school improvement, school-community relationships, statistical methods, and educational equity. The program includes an internship for the superintendent or principal practicum.
Each candidate needs at least a 3.0 GPA for admission. The principal and superintendent certification pathways require a valid teaching certificate and two years of experience.
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The 5 Best Master’s in Educational Administration Online
City University of Seattle
- Seattle, WA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $615
Out-of-State | $615
Credits to Graduate: 45
CityU features a master's in educational administration program with a one-year internship. Graduates qualify for Washington state residency administrator certificates and can take this program fully online or through hybrid delivery.
Before completing the educational leadership presentation and research project, an enrollee must earn nine graduate foundation credits, 18 educational leadership credits, and 15 educational leadership specialization credits. Core coursework explores school law, finance, human resource management, and supervision of instruction.
For admission, each candidate must possess valid teaching certification and provide verification of completed prerequisites.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
83%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#4 The 5 Best Master’s in Educational Administration Online
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $444
Out-of-State | $444
Credits to Graduate: 33
NMSU offers a two-year master's program in educational leadership and administration for K-12, preparing graduates to pursue roles as school principals, HR managers, and administrative directors. The program allows each enrollee to choose a residency or an internship. Courses cover administration, public school law, educational financial management, and social justice.
You'll complete coursework online and connect with classmates monthly through online seminars. To apply, you need a bachelor's degree, three letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample.
Percent Online Enrollment
54%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 The 5 Best Master’s in Educational Administration Online
Texas A & M University-Commerce
- Commerce, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $758
Out-of-State | $1,166
Credits to Graduate: 30
At Texas A&M, you can earn a master's in education administration to pursue work as a K-12 school principal, human resources manager, or administrative director in as few as 12 months. The program prepares you to pursue principal certification.
Throughout the 1.5-year program, you'll study curriculum design, educational law, and building capacity for effective learning. There is no thesis requirement, but each enrollee completes a practicum.
Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA and one year of teaching experience.
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
How Much Does an Online Educational Administration Degree Cost?
Online master's in educational administration tuition vary based on school reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, program length, and more. Programs usually have 30-36 credits and cost a total of $15,000-$25,000.
Students can reduce upfront costs by obtaining financial aid, which includes scholarships, grants, and loans. Private and public institutions offer financial aid and have different requirements. Graduates will need to repay loans while scholarships and grants do not require repayment.
Additional Online Student Fees
Attendees should budget for additional fees aside from tuition. Schools may have mandatory fees to cover the costs of sports facilities, graduation, or environmental protection programs. Students may also have costs directly related to courses, including books or software.
Online enrollees can save money on moving expenses and campus housing, but still require budgeting for the cost-of-living. Individuals need to set aside funds for food, transportation, and utilities.
Career and Salary Outlook for Educational Administration Students
Online master's in educational administration degree-holders can pursue administrative roles in all levels of education. Graduates can utilize their skills in principal, postsecondary education administrator, and childcare center director roles. These roles are a fraction of available careers for experts in educational administration. Other roles may require additional education, certifications, or experience.
Professionals in this field do not usually need internships, but some online masters in educational administration require an internship before graduation.
Students can gain hands-on experience through internships, which can be applied to roles in educational administration. The table below demonstrates some relevant educational administration roles and related salaries.
Educational Administration Careers and Wages
| Educational Administration Career |
Median Annual Wage (2021) |
| Principal |
$101,320 |
| Instructional Coordinator |
$66,490 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator |
$99,940 |
| Postsecondary Teacher |
$80,840 |
| Childcare Center Director |
$49,690 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Graduates of educational administration programs can pursue multiple career paths as programs provide an assortment of courses in different subject matters.
Courses in a Master’s in Educational Administration Program
Enrollees in master's in education administrative programs study how to effectively help institutions set academic standards, run schools efficiently, and solve problems. Programs focus on teaching how to design curriculums, oversee programs, and coordinate school activities.
Attendees usually take a combination of core and specialized courses. Specialization courses help students meet education objectives and courses may include introduction to education leadership, school finance, and instructional leadership.
The section below includes three common courses found in online master's in educational administration curriculums. These courses may not be found in every curriculum, but represent the average program's learning objectives.
School Finance
School finance courses discuss how public primary and secondary schools finance their operations. Enrollees will study revenue sources, economic theories, and the impact of public policies.
Graduates can use course learnings to manage a school's budget to create a safe learning environment.
Leadership in Education
Leadership in education classes provide theories and examples of different leadership styles. Students will learn the impacts of leadership in unique situations, contexts, and in relationship to various groups of people.
Professionals can use the knowledge from this course to understand their personal leadership style and how their choice can affect people around them.
Curriculum Development
Curriculum development helps attendees understand the principles of creating a curriculum, potential issues, and relevant social factors. This course covers data and analysis to help students evaluate curriculum success and issues.
Educational leaders should be able to use these skills to discuss curriculums with coworkers and make recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Leadership
What do you learn in educational administration?
Educational administration programs prepare enrollees to pursue school leadership opportunities through learning how to create a positive learning environment, manage resources, and communicate with other education professionals to achieve goals.
Is a Master’s in educational administration worth it?
Individuals with a passion for education and administration may find a master's program worth the time and financial commitment. Graduates can pursue roles as a principal, administrator, or instructional coordinator at any education level.
What is the difference between a school manager and an educational administrator?
School managers and educational administrators have similar roles, but differ in how they achieve their goals. Administrators focus on policy-making and managing individuals to meet education objectives while managers work with other employees and internal resources to achieve goals.
Page last reviewed November 15, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the BCR Rankings Team.
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