Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Leadership in Educational Administration

Career exploration guide

This guide provides tools to help you explore careers related to this specialization. Use this information to start researching this field and the opportunities in it. This research can help you make a transition into positions related to this field. Start by gaining an overview of this program and learning about the field, jobs, and employment settings that are related.

About this specialization

The doctoral Leadership in Educational Administration specialization is aligned with nationally recognized leadership standards and is designed to help learners develop and strengthen the knowledge, skills, attributes, and dispositions needed to successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing educational system as ethical and innovative leaders. The curriculum provides learners the opportunity to pursue emphases in School Leadership or District Leadership, both of which offer focused exploration of the research, leadership, management, and problem-solving skills the current student achievement-focused P–12 environment requires of its principals and superintendents. Upon successful completion of this specialization, learners have the knowledge and skills necessary for providing school or district leadership and are prepared to pursue licensure as P–12 principals or superintendents in most states.

Skills gained through this specialization:

This specialization was designed to help you gain the following skills related to this field:

  • Advance the field of education through influence
  • Apply self-management skills including communication and completion of required paperwork, activities, clinical hours and alignments
  • Facilitate the development of a shared vision of learning
  • Promote the success of all persons
  • Lead the development of a culture of learning
  • Manage effective learning environments
  • Effectively collaborate with multiple stakeholders
  • Lead the field of education in an ethical manner

Explore this field

Professional associations, social networks, and other industry-specific resources can provide a wealth of information about a specific field or industry, including best practices, career overviews, trends and access to industry professionals. By reviewing website information, attending events, and connecting with people in the field, you can deepen your knowledge about the field. 

Professional associations

Industry information

Explore jobs and employers

In addition to exploring the field, take some time to research specific jobs and employment settings related to this program. Consider how these jobs and settings fit with your experience, skills, interests and values. This is a sample list of job titles and employment settings related to this field. To learn more, review job postings and talk with people who have these roles or work in these settings. You can find these professionals through LinkedIn, family, friends, schools, employers and community groups. Spend time researching your industry and prospective employers to decide whether this type of degree will help advance your career.

Related job titles to explore*

  • Principal
  • Assistant principal
  • Director of instructional technology
  • Director for student services
  • Full-time faculty of education courses
  • Director of instructional technology
  • District program director
  • Curriculum director
  • Assessment and compliance coordinator
  • Director for student services

Employment settings to explore

  • K-12 public or private school
  • K-12 virtual or charter school
  • State education department
  • School district office
  • Land-based or online college or university

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Job boards

This is a sample of jobs boards with positions related to this field. Use them in your research to identify additional job titles, common hiring requirements and local employers. 

Further exploration

There are a lot of factors that influence whether a career is a fit or not. These can include monetary compensation, benefits, work environment, organization culture, work/life balance, etc. As you consider your career, think about what is important to you in your employer, role and setting. These resources can help you perform this additional exploration.

For a more detailed guide on career exploration, review Capella’s Career Exploration YouTube series that helps you identify what is important to you in your career and how that aligns with the world of work. 

Accreditation

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.