Any educational institution must have highly competent and adequately trained individuals on staff if the establishment is to be efficiently run. Properly trained administrators provide quality guidance and establish policies and procedures for the day to day activities in colleges and universities, schools, day care centers, or other learning facilities. An educational administrator may also direct programs in businesses and community service organizations. Excellent management skills are also required in an individual seeking this type of position, as they are frequently called upon to supervise teachers, coaches, support staff and other faculty members. Monitoring the educational progress of students is also a big part of their job description. Additional duties include, but are not limited to, budget preparation, record keeping, interaction with parents and students, and tracking enrollment statistics.

Depending on the size of the institution, sometimes several educational administrators are employed, with each administrator being specifically assigned to one or two of the aforementioned duties. Over the years this has proved to be an excellent alternative to employing only one administrator who would not be able to preform each duty efficiently, due to the size of the work load. For learning establishments which do not require multiple administrators, but there is still a question whether or not one person can adequately preform the duties assigned to them, an assistant may be hired to aid with these activities.

Accredited online schools offering degrees in Educational Administration:

BA - Early Childhood Edu./Administration	MS - Leadership in Educational Admin.	Doctor of Philosophy - Higher Edu. Admin.
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University of Phoenix
Offers Bachelor's and Masters Degrees
Will help students apply for financial aid
Http://www.phoenix.edu

Capella University
Offers Masters of Education in School Administration
Help with financial aid available

Kaplan University Online
Offers Bachelor's Degrees in College Administration and Leadership
Will help students apply for financial aid

Grand Canyon Univesity
Master Degrees in Education Administration
Will help students apply for financial aid

Ashford University
Offers Bachelor's Degrees in Childhood Education Administration
Help with financial aid available

Types of Educational Administrators:

Principles

Education administrators that manage kindergarten through 12th grade are usually referred to as principles. Principles work closely with teachers to develop curriculum and examine the methodology of each individual teacher by observing them in their classroom setting on a regular basis. The social trend for schools in the past fifteen years has shifted away from centralized school districts and instead, individual schools have been given more authority to make decisions, along with more responsibility for setting the policies and even creation of the school mission statements. Similarly, this economic trend has also put more responsibility on principles to have increased involvement with generating community support and raising revenue to keep the day to day operations of the school at a satisfactory level to please parents and students alike. Budget cuts in school funding are without a doubt one of the most challenging situations a modern day principle will face. Principles sometimes also work through the summer months to prepare the next years curriculum, organize reports, and even supervise building maintenance. Most principles also work closely with their communities on drug abuse awareness and prevention programs.

District Administrators

Central offices which have jurisdiction over public school districts always employ administrators to enhance the day to day interaction between students and teachers. There is usually an administrator for each major subject who will guide the educators in ways to improve their teaching skills and develop systems that will increase the quality of the curriculum. They also work with guidance counselors to provide the students with a better understanding of the goals for their education.

Chief Academic Officers

Higher education administrators in colleges or universities are known as chief academic officers, and have multiple responsibilities. They analyze statistics and examine students records, work out appropriate budgets and direct career counseling for students who are approaching graduation. Depending on the size of the establishment there are often specific administrators for each aspect of these duties. These positions include student services, financial, and athletic administrators, each focusing on their individual goals for both the students and the establishment.

Work Environment

Some educational administrators work only during the actual school years while others work on and off through the summer as well. They must be highly organized and able to exhibit exemplary attention to detail as they are accountable to state and federal authorities, who monitor student performance and, at times, research the qualifications of the faculty and staff. At times these jobs can be challenging or even frustrating, as state and federal regulations sometimes change on short notice. Administrators must be prepared to adapt quickly to these changes.

Education Requirements

An individual seeking a career in educational administration will need proper training to develop the interdisciplinary skills needed to work successfully in this position.
Educational requirements vary depending on the type of learning institution one plans to work for. To work in preschools and childcare establishments, an individual may only be required to have a Bachelor's degree, however, learning institutions such as colleges and universities, along with most public schools, generally require a Master's degree. Positions for administrators in certain child care programs do not require a degree, however, these are usually private programs. There may, however, be certain state requirements which might include state testing and some type of post secondary coursework.

Many University and College education administration positions are filled by individuals advancing from the position of an instructor or professor, for which a Master's degree would have already been obtained. Further education or training are usually not necessary. For those seeking positions in financial aid or student admissions, a Bachelor's degree is usually sufficient.

As well as the appropriate degree, there are other skills required of a person who wishes to successfully work in the field of education administration. Some of these qualifications include excellent communication skills, computer proficiency, ability to meet deadlines, and at times, work in stressful situations. Equally as important are strong organizational, and interpersonal skills, as well as good leadership qualities, and the ability to solve problems as they arise. The constantly changing social climate in this day and age demands that education administrators be able to supervise and communicate with students and faculty members of different nationalities, lifestyles, and viewpoints. It is imperative that when problem solving, education administrators remain objective and impartial, in order to reach the best possible solution for any issue requiring their involvement.

Job Prospects

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for jobs in this field will increase by approximately 8 percent between 2010 and 2018. Expected growth is based on the fact that statistically, there will most likely be more individuals retiring from these positions than there are persons seeking to acquire them. Also a fact which is very relevant to this trend in growth is the shift of accountability within public school systems. More positions will be available due to increased responsibilities placed on education administrators at the local level. Studies concerning students enrolling in post secondary schools indicate a rapid growth is expected in this type of enrollment as compared to other student populations. Many schools now offer new options such as part-time programs, distance learning, and other formats that make it convenient for the non-traditional student to acquire a degree in education administration. As these trends continue, more positions will become available in education administration. Opportunities in this field will naturally vary depending on what area of the country one is seeking employment in. Population in the south and west is expected to increase, and subsequently, the demand for educators and education administrators will also grow. Population growth projections for the midwest and northeast do not indicate a substantial increase, therefore these areas are expected to remain stable, however, available positions are not expected to decrease.

Online Education Administration Degree Programs

Obtaining an online Educational Administration degree is a realistic goal for those willing to put in the time and effort. Considering today's economy, anyone endeavoring to earn a degree is making an excellent step toward career advancement and financial stability. Based on the growth in this area projected by the U.S. Department of Labor, a degree in educational administration is an excellent choice as a long-term career goal.

Many online schools offer the curriculum for one to obtain a Bachelor's or Masters degree in education administration. When an individual has reached a decision to enroll in an online school in order to obtain a degree in educational administration they must move forward cautiously and be very certain they have chosen a school which is an accredited college or university in order to avoid wasting money on a meaningless degree.

Education Admin. Coursework / Curriculum

The curriculum for an online degree in education administration should provide the well-rounded education which is needed to ensure the students success in their desired position. Curriculum offered by an online school for this particular degree may include:

• Teaching Methods
  
• Course Planning
  
• Education research
  
• Budget Reporting
  
• Higher Education Principles

The online student will be educated in all facets of educational administration and be coached in interpersonal and organizational skills to competently perform the tasks required for this position. Students will also be taught proficiency in the latest software applications as used in an educational setting.

The convenience of learning from home and being able to set one's own pace in their educational endeavors cannot be understated. This format has helped many Americans acquire an education and obtain a degree that would otherwise be out of reach, and it is a welcomed alternative for many students.

With proper research, an individual will be able to find the online school that best meets his or her educational needs. It is recommended that each prospective student contact each school they are considering and ask any and all pertinent questions. It is best to then compare the schools to determine which one is qualified to best assist them in their educational goals.

• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm
• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ococ007.htm#.training