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Online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Online Master's in Educational Leadership Career Outlook

Lead the Way to Better Learning Outcomes

With a new set of educational leadership skills, you’ll be in demand for your ability to enhance student learning and success. Whether you’re becoming a school principal, department head, or education administrator, it’s vital to know how today’s technology and cultural landscape affect students and educators, which requires additional leadership capabilities.1

By acquiring your M.A. in Educational Leadership, your impact won’t be limited to educational institutions. Employees in every industry can benefit from training and development programs that build relevant skills. The overall employment of training and development managers is projected to grow as learning and development programs introduce groundbreaking technologies and media to learners.2

Leadership Equals Opportunity

Within educational, non-profit, and private sector organizations, few skills are more in demand than leadership, making educational leadership career outlook broad and bright. With a master’s degree, you’ll be eligible for opportunities to transition into the next stage of an educational career in roles like program director, administrator, or school leader.*

“The networking opportunities that developed through collaboration with other students online exceeded my expectations.”

– Kaela Gallup, Saint Mary’s MAEL online student

Jobs, Income, and Projected Employment Growth for 2022–2032

Opportunities for careers in educational leadership are diverse and robust, and salaries are well above the national standard. The following educational leadership careers include several positions well-suited for graduates of our online master’s in educational leadership program. (Career data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal
    • A master’s degree is typically required for entry
    • This profession requires professional licensure. Check with your state for administrative licensure requirements
    • Median salary (2022): $101,3203
    • Projected employment growth: 1 percent3
Instructional Coordinator
    • A master’s degree is typically required for entry
    • Median Salary (2022): $66,4904
    • Projected Job Growth: 2 percent4
Post-secondary Education Administrator
    • A master’s degree is typically required for entry
    • Median Salary (2022): $99,9405
    • Projected Job Growth: 4 percent5
Social and Community Service Manager
    • Some jobs require a master’s degree
    • Median Salary (2022): $74,2406
    • Projected Job Growth: 9 percent6
Training and Development Manager
    • A master’s degree is typically required for entry
    • Median Salary (2022): $120,0002
    • Projected Job Growth: 6 percent2

Where Saint Mary's M.A. in Educational Leadership Grads Work

You can put an M.A. in Educational Leadership degree to work in roles beyond schools. From business development to human resources, healthcare to information technology, graduates of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s master’s in educational leadership program currently work in a variety of industries, with titles like senior manager of education and training, career counselor, program manager, associate program director, and more.This information is based on self-reported student/alumni data from LinkedIn as of April 2018.

Education
    • Capella University
    • Concordia University, St. Paul
    • Dunwoody College of Technology
    • Minneapolis Public Schools
    • Mounds View Public Schools
    • Saint Paul Public Schools
    • University of Minnesota
    • Technology
    • Edmentum
    • Lockheed Martin
Healthcare
    • Allina Health
    • HealthPartners
    • Mayo ClinicUnitedHealth Group
Nonprofit
    • Be The Match
    • CareProfiler
    • Education Minnesota
    • Minnesota Opera
Government
    • Minnesota Department of Corrections

Career Services

Career Services can assist with any phase of career development:

  • Career Exploration & Self-Assessments – Tools to discover interests and strengths
  • Resume & Cover Letter Support – Templates and expert guidance
  • Interview Preparation – Practice and strategy development
  • Job & Internship Search – Handshake and career resources
  • Networking & Mentorship – Events and professional connections
  • Graduate School Guidance – Application and essay support
  • Job Offer Evaluation & Negotiation – Decision and negotiation tools

Get Started Now

Request more information to learn more about Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s online programs. An enrollment counselor will contact you shortly to share more information and answer your questions. When you’re ready, you can click Apply Now to start your online application.

Request Info Apply Now

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. Driscoll, Maxine, Think Strategic, “School Leadership for the 21st Century.” Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://thinkstrategicforschools.com/leadership-in-schools/.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Training and Development Managers.” Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm.
  4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Instructional Coordinators.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm.
  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Postsecondary Education Administrators.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm.
  6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Social and Community Service Managers.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.

*This is not a licensure preparation program for K-12 administrative licensure. If you are looking to become a Principal, Director of Special Education, or Superintendent in Minnesota, the completion of an education-related master’s program allows you to enter the Saint Mary’s Ed.S. in Educational Administration to complete coursework and field experience in preparation for licensure.

If you are looking to become a K-12 public school administrator in another state, it is your responsibility to check with the administrative licensing body in your state for specific licensure preparation requirements.

Learn more about professional licensure here.