The saying may be cliche, but it’s true: The best and most effective educators are lifelong learners. Whether through professional development, reflection or further education, effective educators constantly look for ways to improve their instructional practices and techniques, better engage their students and elevate their learning outcomes.
One of the most common avenues for educators to accomplish this is by pursuing an advanced degree. A Master of Science in Education (MSE) gives graduates expertise and honed skills in the education field, often in a specialized area of focus.
The Master of Science in Education – Educational Administration online program from the University of Wisconsin Superior (UW-Superior) offers three potential tracks that students can follow to become educational leaders. To best support their professional goals, students can choose from PK-12 Principalship, PK-12 Director of Instruction or Director of Special Education and Pupil Services trajectories. Each of these programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to fulfill licensure requirements within the state.
Beyond the role of teacher, there are a handful of other potential career options for graduates of an MSE program and what those entail.
School Administrator
School administrators typically oversee and manage many operational aspects of schools, from preschool and daycare facilities all the way up through higher education. They have a hand in almost everything a school does.
Resilient Educator includes functions like “budgets, logistics, schedules, disciplinary actions, evaluations and public relations” as primary responsibilities of a school administrator. They also work with teachers to coordinate equipment, improve and implement curriculum and other actions. School administrators often have opportunities to advance to other administrative roles at the district and state levels. Compensation depends on several factors, including the type of academic institution administrators oversee.
Average salary: $82,749 (Salary.com)
Executive Director of Education
Educators who become executive directors of education also focus on the overall operations of a school. They critically assess curriculum and instructional formats, guide teachers on potential improvements, as well as coordinate employee training. They help address data safety and privacy concerns, such as Individual Education Plans, student records, familial communications and different types of school data. Executive directors are usually responsible for creating and leading these plans from inception to conclusion.
Average salary: $80,926 (Salary.com)
Principal/Assistant Principal
Being a school principal or assistant principal requires more hands-on responsibilities and interacting with students and other members of the school community on a day-to-day basis. They certainly have big-picture operational duties, but discipline and student support represent a considerable part of a principal’s role. Principals also meet with parents and guardians to communicate about students’ progress and cultivate a strong learning connection between home and school, among other topics. Principals also support faculty on a number of fronts, particularly when it comes to evaluation and professional development.
Average salary: $114,835 (Salary.com)
Site Coordinator
At schools, site coordinators are often responsible for arranging various out-of-classroom activities, from events to extracurriculars to family services and more. When schools host after-school events, site coordinators usually handle logistics such as budgeting, finding spatial accommodations and other considerations. At certain schools, they often spearhead family services and support, such as clothing drives, immigration support, tutoring services, non-athletic clubs and other offerings that schools offer to support their students. On campuses that contain multiple schools, site administrators also serve as crucial liaisons among school officials.
Average salary: $43,006 (Salary.com)
Enrolling in an advanced degree program can help educators earn increased income, enter leadership roles and expand their reach. MSE graduates are not limited to teacher positions. In fact, they can impact student and learning outcomes in any number of roles within a school system.
Learn more about the University of Wisconsin Superior’s online Master of Science in Education — Educational Administration program.
