7 Career Tracks with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership

Some education professionals are primarily tasked with teaching others, improving a student's knowledge and skills in certain areas of instruction. Other roles in this field are responsible for overseeing entire educational institutions or programs. Educational leadership careers fall into this latter category.

If you are interested in becoming a leader in the education space, obtaining a master’s degree in educational leadership can help prepare you for this type of position. But what roles does this higher-level degree prepare you to fill? Here are seven career tracks to consider.

#1: School Administrator

School administrators have numerous duties. They oversee the educational institution’s budget, track student success measures, manage staff, and ensure that the organization and its programs meet the necessary curriculum standards. School administrators can be found in all levels of education, from kindergarten to elementary to secondary schools.

#2: Special Education Director

You can also use your master’s degree in educational leadership in a special education director role. Individuals in this position are sometimes referred to as a special education administrator. They work to develop and implement programs designed for students with specialized educational needs. They also oversee the staff involved in the delivery of these programs, striving to provide students with access to the knowledge they need to improve their academic and/or social success.

#3: School Principal

Principals oversee all aspects of their assigned school, including those related to budget, staffing, and student achievement. Principals also act as a liaison between the school and its corresponding district. While a school administrator helps plan for the educational organization long-term, school principals play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the institution, helping it to run more smoothly.

#4: College Provost

Maybe you have a passion for higher education. One of the educational leadership careers to consider is college provost. A provost assists the college or university president with budget management and policy development, along with ensuring that curriculum standards are being met. Individuals in this role are sometimes referred to as the institution’s chief academic officer.

#5: Curriculum Developer

Another career option with a master’s degree in educational leadership is that of curriculum developer. As the title implies, professionals in this role help create or update the institution’s curriculum. This involves ensuring that the curricula adhere to mandated standards while utilizing effective student learning techniques. Other titles for this position include curriculum coordinator or curriculum specialist.

#6: Athletic Director

Sports programs are a part of almost every educational institution. Therefore, no list of educational leadership careers would be complete without the athletic director role. In this position, you would be responsible for all aspects of the institution’s athletic programs. This includes hiring and managing coaches, sports program promotion, budget creation, equipment purchasing, and overseeing sports facility operations.

#7: Educational Consultant

Some educational institutions pull outside experts in to help improve their teaching strategies. Educational consultants are one such option. These professionals can review and analyze the institution’s current educational materials and programs, then offer recommendations based on their knowledge and findings. Educational consultants may also be hired to work with academic staff to help improve their teaching methods.

 In some cases, individual families request the services of an educational consultant. When this occurs, the consultant can help evaluate the student’s academic needs and provide guidance on which educational programs or institutions can best meet them.

Get Started on Your Educational Leadership Career Today

If one of these educational leadership careers interests you, the next step is to obtain your degree. Saint Leo University offers a Master of Education degree with a concentration in educational leadership. This online, 30-credit hour program can be completed in 12 to 18 months. It includes courses such as Decision Making for Instructional Leadership, Leading Curriculum for Special Populations, and School Management.

The Saint Leo University master’s degree in educational leadership program aligns with the national Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. These standards are used by state boards of education to guide programs in licensure and professional development. They also ensure that educational leaders have the knowledge and skills needed to boost student achievement while handling the increased expectations of professionals in this type of role.

You can learn more about this master’s program by visiting our website, or you can contact us directly with any questions you may have. Saint Leo is one of the top-ranked universities in Florida. You’ll see why once you become part of our student community.