Post-secondary institutions are guided by education administrators and professors who strive to meet institutional goals through effective academic leadership and management of day-to-day operations.

Administrators with academic status, such as academic deans, provosts, and department heads, are responsible for the educational standards, integrity, objectives, and program content of the institution. Other administrators, such as deans, student services directors, and admissions directors, are responsible for student services. They provide leadership for non-academic services, such as admissions, registration, foreign student programs, health and counseling, career guidance, financial aid, student-run organizations, and recreational activities.

Employment of education administrators is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008. Job openings will primarily result from the need to replace administrators who retire or transfer to other occupations.

The number of openings is relatively small and many educators who meet the requirements for these jobs seek promotion. Candidates who have the most formal education and are willing to relocate will have the best job prospects.

Excellent leadership, communication, and people skills are important, as well as professional integrity, understanding of organizational dynamics and behavior, and the ability to work effectively as a member of the leadership team.

The specific skills required in education administration vary, but all candidates seeking promotion must first prove themselves in related positions of lesser responsibility. Determination, confidence, innovation, motivation, and leadership are essential qualities for all administrative positions. The ability to make sound decisions and to organize and coordinate work efficiently is also required, as well as strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and an applied understanding of management principles.

A doctoral degree is required for all academic leadership positions, usually in the departmental specialty. Most candidates also have experience in a professorship or departmental leadership position before advancing.

Top student services positions usually require a doctoral degree as well. Directors of admissions, registration, student services, and financial aid often start out in related staff positions with a bachelor’s degree (any field is usually acceptable) and seek promotion as they obtain advanced degrees in higher education administration.

Education administration degree programs include courses in school management, school law, school finance and budgeting, curriculum development and evaluation, research design and data analysis, community relations, politics in education, counseling and leadership.

Coordinating and interacting with board members, top administrators, faculty, students, and others in education can be fast-paced and stimulating but also stressful and demanding. Most education administrators work more than 40 hours a week, including some nights and weekends, and some are required to travel.

Many jobs, however, offer high earnings, prestige in the community, status in academia, and the satisfaction of making a contribution to the lives of young people.