Online School Administrator Certification

<p>You'll need to earn your master's degree in education or educational leadership before pursuing school administrator certification. You'll also want to acquire experience as a teacher in order to understand the material and get the most out of the certificate program. </p> <p>You can earn your Master of Science in Educational Administration, Master of Education in Educational Administration and school administrator certification online. Some online master's degree programs require an in-person experience or capstone project. However, you can complete some certification programs entirely online. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certification Program Requirements</b></td><td>Master's degree in education and teaching experience</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Preparing for the Program</b></td><td>Master's degree provides preparation through knowledge in educational administration and leadership</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Purpose of Certification</b></td><td>School administrator positions, acquire specialized knowledge, options to become licensed (per state requirements)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification Focus Options</b></td><td>State specific licensing, early childhood education, leadership, curriculum development</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 4% for Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals and 4% for Postsecondary Education Administrators*</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median annual Salary (May 2020)</b></td><td> $98,490 for Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School and $97,500 for Postsecondary Education Administrators*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoesAMasterSDegreeProgramPrepareMeForCertification">How Does a Master's Degree Program Prepare Me for Certification?</h3> <p>Master's degree programs provide a solid background in educational administration and leadership. You'll also learn about education law, the budgeting concerns that schools face and the educational needs of specific demographics. You'll also learn how to supervise teachers, develop a curriculum, implement educational technology and conduct research projects to define or solve educational challenges. </p> <h3 id="section---WhyDoINeedCertification">Why Do I Need Certification?</h3> <p>The purpose of earning certification is to become a school administrator or acquire specialized educational knowledge. If you're looking to become licensed as an educational administrator, principal or superintendent, you'll need to complete a program that meets your particular state's licensing requirements. If you're looking for specialized training, you can enroll in certification programs that deal with instruction strategies, leadership, literacy or a specific education level. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatWillILearnInACertificationProgram">What Will I Learn in a Certification Program?</h3> <p>What you'll learn in a certification program depends upon the type of program you pursue that's tailored to your purposes. Generally, if you're interested in licensure as a principal or administrator, the certification program you choose should be tailored to state licensing requirements while providing a general background in educational leadership, budgeting concerns, and curricular development. </p> <p>Many certifications focus on early childhood education. You can enroll in these programs to learn more about the educational and developmental needs of primary education students. </p> <p>You can also enroll in certification programs that are focused on the development of leadership skills. These programs include courses on management, education reform, and human resources issues. Programs that focus on curriculum development emphasize educational strategies, instructional tools, and educational technology.</p>