How Can I Become a Christian School Administrator?

<h2 id="section---WhatIsAChristianSchoolAdministrator">What is a Christian School Administrator?</h2> <p>Christian school administrators have much of the same responsibilities as public school administrators. They're in charge of making sure their school meets state education standards, and they manage staffing, organizational operations, and finances. Depending on your specific role as an administrator, you may also work with students in handling behavioral and disciplinary matters, as well as acknowledging high-performing students. The table below lists the general requirements for a career as a Christian school administrator. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Master's degree, along with teaching experience</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td> Education administration, education leadership</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Licensure</b></td><td>Licensure is required by most states for public school administrators</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Leadership, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, decision-making</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 8% growth <i>(for all education administrators in elementary and secondary schools)</i>*</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $98,490 <i>(for all education administrators in elementary and secondary schools)</i>*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---BecomingAChristianSchoolAdministrator">Becoming a Christian School Administrator</h3> <p>Because Christian schools are private schools, teachers and administrators are exempt from state licensing requirements. However, private schools often prefer that applicants be licensed and only make exceptions when a candidate has exceptional experience or qualifications. Licensing requirements often vary between states, but most require you to have completed some graduate study and pass an exam. </p> <p>A master's degree is typically required to work in this profession. You can find master's degrees in education administration in either online or on-campus formats. These programs typically take 2-3 years to complete and culminate in a comprehensive exam or a thesis. Most programs incorporate internships, observation hours or other methods to help you gain professional experience. </p> <p>Master's degrees in education administration train you in pedagogy, business and leadership. You could learn about educational law, educational leadership, policy development and implementation, reform initiatives and professional learning communities. Opportunities are also available to gain business skills specific to the profession, including public school financing, human resources management, community relations and supervision. </p> <p>Additionally, schools may prefer applicants who have teaching experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers look for candidates who demonstrate qualities such as leadership, determination, innovation, confidence and motivation (www.bls.gov). Decision making, team building, efficiency and strong interpersonal skills can also improve your employment chances. </p> <h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3> <p>Most Christian school administrators will be expected to see that their school adheres to state standards including enrollment, standardized testing and curriculum requirements. Business duties may involve public relations, accounting, marketing, personnel decisions and budgeting. You may also be in charge of developing and implementing educational and extracurricular programs. </p> <h3 id="section---SalaryAndCareerOutlook">Salary and Career Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS reported that education administrators could expect an 8% growth in employment opportunities from 2020-2030, which is about average in comparison to other careers. In 2020, education administrators earned a median salary of $98,490 annually in elementary and secondary schools. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeAlternativeRelatedCareers">What Are Some Alternative Related Careers?</h3> <p>With a background in educational administration, you will also be qualified to work as an administrator in a public school system as well. You also may be interested in returning to teaching, which you could do at any level of education, including postsecondary. If you have a desire to work with older students, you may also be invested in becoming an administrator of a postsecondary institution, like a college.</p>