Many experienced classroom teachers are set on a leadership position in education, teaching in a different setting or working with curriculum and instruction strategies. The online Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) program from Northwest Missouri State University can be the first step toward making this important professional move.
Positions Outside of the Classroom
A master’s degree in educational leadership is required for several positions at the building and district levels. These positions do not generally involve direct instruction. Rather, these administrative and leadership roles involve selecting and creating curriculum materials, managing school or district resources, leading school communities and other issues related to supporting schools, teachers and students.
Building Level Leadership Positions
The positions of building principal, assistant principal and dean generally require not only a master’s degree but also experience in the classroom as well as an aptitude for leadership, management and organization. Educators in these positions are responsible for keeping the building as a whole running efficiently. In this case, the “building” can reflect the literal school and grounds as well as the community and learning environment within and surrounding a school.
- The responsibilities of principals and assistant principals involve budgets and scheduling issues, physical plant cleanliness and safety, teacher selection and evaluation. School leaders also focus on implementing strategies for schoolwide initiatives like professional development, increasing teacher retention and improving student achievement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), K-12 principals made a median salary of $103,460 per year in 2023. ZipRecruiter reports that assistant principals earned an average annual salary of $84,586 as of April 2024.
- The dean of students oversees some of the scheduling details and stays abreast of student behavior management. The average salary for this position is $76,501 per year, according to April 2024 ZipRecruiter data.
District-level Leadership Positions
At the district level, experienced teachers who have completed a master’s degree program in leadership may assume positions of director or coordinator of specific educational areas.
- The director or coordinator of assessments is responsible for scheduling and maintaining the validity and confidentiality of district-wide tests conducted regularly. These may include content area formative or summative assessments and state-mandated high-stakes testing. While substantial data isn’t available for director-level positions, ZipRecruiter reports that assessment specialists made a median annual salary of $62,830 as of April 2024. Upper-level director positions with more advanced education requirements would likely come with higher salaries.
- The director of special education assists special education teachers with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), meetings with parents and legal mandates for students who receive special education services. ZipRecruiter reports the average salary for special education directors to be $102,692 as of April 2024.
- The district-level director of learning and curriculum — sometimes called the director of teaching and learning, director of curriculum and instruction or assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction — oversees all areas of district-wide academic programs, curriculum, instruction and related initiatives. The person in this position ensures that academic standards are consistent, that teachers receive proper training and support, and that teachers and students have access to adequate materials and supplies. According to ZipRecruiter, directors of curriculum and instruction made an average annual salary of $94,614 as of April 2024.
As a note, broad salary figures for these leadership roles may reflect wages across school-level, district-level, state-level and even private-sector positions. Further, these figures may not differentiate between education-based pay levels or tiers for educators. School districts generally offer higher pay levels according to job role, experience and level of education. Thus, a district-level top administrator with substantial experience and advanced education — such as a master’s or doctoral degree — will generally receive compensation toward the upper end of the pay scale.
Beyond K-12 Educational Leadership
A master’s degree also opens the door to classroom teaching positions outside the K-12 school building.
- Qualified teachers with master’s degrees can apply for positions at the college level as adjunct instructors. These instructors often teach basic skills to adults, such as learning English or preparing for the GED. Adjunct instructors earn, on average, $84,238 per year, according to April 2024 ZipRecruiter data. Yet earnings for adjunct instructors depend wholly on the number of classes they teach and the type of institution they teach at.
- Another classroom position outside of the K-12 system is that of the corporate trainer. These learning consultants and trainers must be able to run professional development programs, instruct effectively in various environments and motivate participants. Educators hired for these positions often have industry expertise or previous experience. Corporate trainers teach employees everything from policies and procedures to new software and sales strategies. According to April 2024 ZipRecruiter data, corporate trainers generally earn between $60,000 and $111,000 annually, depending on the complexity of the training and their expertise or experience.
- With advanced education and experience, corporate training professionals may move up to training and development manager positions, incorporating more responsibilities surrounding management tasks as well as curriculum and instruction design. Professionals in these positions commanded a median annual salary of $125,040 in 2023, according to BLS.
Earning an MSEd. in Educational Leadership online from Northwest Missouri State University is a crucial first step as educators investigate professional employment possibilities outside of the K-12 classroom. The program focuses on “leadership, communication, critical thinking, diversity, equity, inclusion and teamwork,” preparing professionals for high-level positions in education and the corporate world.
Learn more about Northwest’s online MSEd. in Educational Leadership program.
