Educational administration encompasses the leadership and management of educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities. Administrators coordinate academic programs, manage staff and budgets, ensure student safety, and create learning environments where both students and teachers can thrive. For educators considering a transition from the classroom to leadership roles, understanding what educational administrators do each day helps clarify whether this career path aligns with their professional goals.
Programs like St. Thomas University’s (STU) online Educational Specialist in Administration (EDS) program prepare educators for a range of leadership roles by helping them develop the strategic and operational competencies required for effective school management. With its emphasis on critical thinking, ethics and evidence-based solutions, the program is ideal for professionals looking to lead initiatives within public or private school systems, or as managers of training programs at corporations, nonprofits or specialty schools.
Core Responsibilities of Educational Administrators
Educational administrators handle the daily operational management that keeps schools running smoothly. They develop class schedules, coordinate teaching assignments and ensure classrooms have necessary resources and equipment. Administrators also manage school budgets, order supplies and schedule building maintenance.
Beyond logistics, educational administrators establish and implement curriculum standards, evaluate teacher performance and use student achievement data to drive instructional improvements. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that principals “oversee all school operations, including daily school activities” while also counseling students, meeting with parents and serving as the public face of their institution. BLS notes the median annual salary for K-12 principals in 2024 was of $104,070, reflecting the responsibility and expertise these positions demand.
Student safety represents another critical responsibility. Administrators establish security procedures for students, staff and visitors while creating disciplinary policies that maintain productive learning environments. They also coordinate support services ranging from counseling to special education programs.
According to O*NET, strong communication skills and knowledge of human resources principles and administrative procedures are essential competencies for educational administrators. Regular tasks include directing activities of administrative departments, developing curricula and appointing faculty, while ensuring institutional compliance with standards. STU’s online Ed.S. in Administration program helps students hone these foundational competencies, with an emphasis on practical application of management principles in educational settings.
Educational Administration Across Different Levels
The scope of educational administration duties varies significantly between K-12 and higher education settings. In elementary, middle and high schools, principals and assistant principals focus heavily on student development, parent communication and community relations.
The American Association of School Administrators represents a professional community of more than 10,000 educational leaders committed to providing high-quality public education to all students in these K-12 roles. These administrators balance instructional leadership with student discipline, extracurricular activities and increasingly complex safety concerns.
Higher education administrators operate in a different context. Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics and faculty research at colleges and universities in roles such as dean, provost, registrar or student affairs director. They navigate faculty governance structures, manage research programs and coordinate with external stakeholders like accrediting bodies and grant agencies.
Despite these differences, both K-12 and higher education administrators share common threads: strategic planning, resource management and the ability to lead diverse teams toward shared educational goals. STU’s online program prepares educators for these varied pathways while maintaining focus on core leadership competencies applicable across educational levels.
Skills and Knowledge Required
Effective educational administrators possess a combination of interpersonal skills and technical expertise. They must understand budget management, legal compliance and policy implementation. Leadership skills enable administrators to set institutional goals, motivate staff and drive organizational change.
BLS emphasizes that principals need strong communication skills to interact effectively with students, teachers and parents, along with critical-thinking abilities that enable them to analyze student performance data and make evidence-based decisions. Problem-solving skills prove essential as administrators address daily challenges reported by teachers, students and staff.
Strong organizational management skills enable principals to align support systems so that teachers can maximize instructional best practices and enhance student achievement, according to the Wing Institute. Ed.S. programs build these competencies through coursework in education law, finance, organizational leadership and data-driven decision-making, preparing working educators to transition into administrative roles with confidence.
Current Challenges and Opportunities
Educational administrators today face unprecedented challenges alongside significant opportunities. According to the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, 83 percent of public school leaders indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects continue to negatively impact the social and emotional development of students. Administrators must ensure support systems for student mental health while addressing learning gaps exacerbated by pandemic disruptions. BLS reports that administrators also contend with mounting pressure to meet state-mandated assessments and accountability standards.
Despite these challenges, a career in educational administration offers meaningful opportunities. BLS projects approximately 20,800 annual openings for K-12 principals and 15,100 openings for postsecondary administrators, primarily from administrators retiring or transitioning to other roles.
Advanced credentials position educators to step into these leadership positions with specialized training in contemporary challenges. For working educators who want to expand their impact beyond a single classroom, administrative leadership provides the platform to shape school culture, improve instructional quality and advocate for students at the systems level.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online Ed.S. in Administration program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Educators considering advancement into school leadership often have questions about requirements, career timeline and opportunities. These answers are designed to help you better understand the path to qualifying for educational leadership roles.
What degree do you need to become an educational administrator?
Most educational administrator positions require at least a master’s degree in education administration, education leadership or a related field. An Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree provides advanced training beyond the master’s level, offering deeper expertise in organizational leadership, education law and data analysis.
How much do educational administrators earn?
Educational administrator salaries vary based on role, educational level and geographic location. Elementary, middle and high school principals earn a median salary of approximately $104,000 annually, while postsecondary education administrators earn a similar amount. Career progression and additional credentials like an Ed.S. degree can accelerate salary growth.
Can I become an educational administrator with an Ed.S. degree?
Yes, an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree qualifies educators for most administrative positions in K-12 schools and many roles in higher education. Most states accept the Ed.S. as meeting the educational requirement for principal licensure when combined with appropriate teaching experience and passing certification exams.
How long does it take to become a school principal?
The timeline typically spans seven to ten years from initial teacher preparation, including five or more years of teaching experience and completion of a master’s degree or Ed.S. program. Prospective principals must also obtain state administrative licensure through examinations and sometimes administrative internships.
What is the job outlook for educational administrators?
The job outlook shows steady demand driven primarily by replacement needs as current administrators retire. There are approximately 20,800 annual openings for elementary, middle and high school principals projected over the next decade, per BLS. Advanced credentials are particularly valuable in this competitive field.
About St. Thomas University’s Ed.S. in Administration Program
St. Thomas University offers an online Educational Specialist in Administration degree designed for working educators seeking to advance into school leadership roles. The program emphasizes practical application of administrative competencies including organizational leadership, education law, budget management and data-driven decision-making. Students develop the skills needed to oversee school operations, lead instructional improvement initiatives and navigate complex educational policy environments.
The fully online format allows educators to earn their advanced degree while continuing in their current positions, with coursework designed around the realities of working professionals. Graduates emerge qualified for principal, assistant principal and district-level administrative positions in diverse educational settings.
