Educational Admin. for Community College

<h2 id="section---IsEducationalAdministrationForCommunityCollegesForMe">Is Educational Administration for Community Colleges for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>Educational administrators at community colleges hold leadership positions that involve directing student services, admissions and academic programs. Degree programs are available at the master's and doctoral degree levels in educational administration, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/PhD_in_Community_College_Leadership_Your_Questions_Answered.html">community college administration</a>, adult education or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Higher_Education_Administration_Degree_Program_FAQs.html">higher education administration</a>. You may need to have teaching experience or other experience working at community colleges. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantQualities">Important Qualities</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), aspiring <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Become_a_School_Administrator.html">education administrators</a> must be confident, motivated and organized (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). You should also be able to communicate effectively, motivate others and make good decisions. Since you could be responsible for overseeing school finances, budgeting, curriculum development, community relations and school policies, you'll need to know how school financing works and ways to implement policies. You should also be willing to act on behalf of the school to maintain its best interests. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentInformation">Employment Information</h3> <p>The BLS reported that in 2012, approximately 161,800 people worked as postsecondary educational administrators, which includes administrators for community colleges, junior colleges, 4-year colleges and universities. The BLS projected that between 2012 and 2022, the employment of education administrators at the postsecondary level would increase by 15%. That's approximately 23,500 new jobs during the 2012-2022 decade. Professionals in this field earned a median annual income of $87,410 as of May 2013, reported the BLS. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIBecomeAnEducationalAdministratorForCommunityColleges">How Can I Become an Educational Administrator for Community Colleges?</h2> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p>To become a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_a_Community_College.html">community college</a> education administrator, you must start by earning a bachelor's degree. Although some <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Top_Schools_to_Learn_Education_Administration.html">schools that offer education administration programs</a> may require that you have some educational experience, others don't have any requirements regarding the undergraduate studies you pursue. </p> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Higher_Education_and_Administration_Masters_Degree.html">Master's degree programs in higher education administration</a> and related programs address the theories and practical aspects of academic leadership and administration. You may study the history and laws regarding standards and principles of higher education. In other courses, you may learn about adult education, budgeting principles and program evaluation methods. </p> <p>Doctoral degree programs often require students to take classes that address academic policies and implementing changes. Most programs have a research portion of the program that enables you to conduct research pertaining to educational administration, learning methods and policy implementation. Some <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Masters_Degrees_in_Higher_Education_Administration_Program_FAQs.html">college administration master's</a> and doctoral degree programs require that you engage in supervised field experiences and internships.</p>