The Best Schools in the U.S. to Earn an Education Administration Degree

This blog was originally posted on Matthew Mann's website here. 

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Aspiring teachers and education administrators often have a difficult time choosing the right college or university to earn their degrees. Below is a list of some of the top-ranked colleges and universities offering these degrees as ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in 2017.

Vanderbilt University

Located in Nashville, TN, this university offers master and doctoral degree programs in education policy and education leadership. Vanderbilt University has an enrollment of about 900 students and offers tuition rates of $1,854 per credit.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

UW-Madison offers graduate programs in educational policy and leadership as well as graduate programs in education administration. It also offers part-time degree education programs. The tuition rates are $10,728 or $24,054 for in-state or out-of-state students. UW has an enrollment of 1,080.

Harvard University

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, MA, has an enrollment of 866 students and tuition rates of $45,008 per year for full-time students. Harvard offers more than a dozen master and doctoral degree programs in education, including education policy, leadership and practice. It also offers online education programs.

Michigan State University

Located in East Lansing, MSU offers graduate and doctoral degree programs in educational leadership and education policy. Online programs are also offered at MSU’s education department. MSU’s tuition rates are $732/credit for full-time in-state students and $1,406/credit for full-time out-of-state students.

Teachers College – Columbia University

This New York university, with an annual enrollment of 4,892, has a tuition rate of $1,512 per credit for full-time students. Aspiring teaching administrators can choose from several master and doctoral degree programs in education and education policy through the university’s Graduate School of Education.

University of Texas – Austin

The College of Education at UT offers graduate programs in higher education leadership and public school executive leadership. The school’s tuition rates are $8,654 annually for in-state students and $16,828 for out-of-state students. It has an annual enrollment of 1,052

Stanford University

Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University has tuition rates of $47,331 annually for full-time students and an enrollment of approximately 339 students. Stanford offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree education programs in education policy, public policy and education, and leadership studies, among many others

University of Washington

Located in Seattle, WA, the UW has an annual enrollment of 1,019 and tuition rates of $16,989 or $30,591 per year for full-time in-state or out-of-state students respectively. UW’s College of Education offers graduate programs focusing on education leadership, policy leadership, and teacher leadership.

Vocational Education is Improving This School Year

This blog was originally posted on Matthew Mann's website here.

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With students heading back to school, it’s a great time to read the news as an educator. New developments in education and career options are usually rolled out at the start of the school year, as well as highlights from what’s working in the education sphere — and what isn’t. Below are three states that are changing the way education is being structured in West Virginia, New Jersey and Arkansas.

In West Virginia

“Seeing Hope for Flagging Economy, West Virginia Revamps Vocational Track” via The New York Times

In the heart of the United States’ rust belt lies West Virginia, a state typically known for its barren mountain landscape, poverty-stricken towns and the opioid crisis. As a state with such a bad reputation, what are schools to do with its children and the future of their economy?

Enter four high school teachers who are about to change the education sphere for students in West Virginia. Over the summer, these teachers attended a simulated-workplace summer training program at Marshall University that will help pave the way to a successful future for students. What’s a simulated-workplace, you may ask?

In this format of vocational schooling, students punch in and out of school, like a time clock you would see in a workplace. In addition, students are assigned professional roles in industries commonly seen in West Virginia, such as coal, health and fracking, and they’re given vacation days to use at their leisure!

In New Jersey

“Lawmakers call for major expansion of N.J.’s vo-tech schools” via NJ.com

According to some vocational schools in New Jersey, demand for enrollment is high but unfortunately, they have to turn away students. In an effort to bring their technical schools into the 21st century and beyond, schools are using their cash to make improvements to the curriculum.

Although this sounds like it could be a negative issue, it’s probably better for the long run. Not only does the state want to make sure students are fully equipped with the skills they need, but they want to train more students to work in manufacturing and bio-tech — two fields that are expected to grow in the future.

In Arkansas

“Ark. Students Get Early Start on Career Planning” via EdWeek

At the conclusion of the last school year, 8th grade students at Wynne Junior High School participated in a “job shadow” day. Students were scattered all over town, shadowing veterinarians, doctors, farmers, police officers and more.

The state of Arkansas is hoping that giving kids this opportunity early in their education will encourage them to make better and clearer decisions about their future career path. Not only do schools organize job shadow days, but the state has college and career coaches on hand to some of their middle and high schools. These coaches work with students to craft college and career plans that will empower them to make more informed decisions about their future.

Vocational Career Spotlight: Allied Health

Allied healthcare providers consist broadly of technicians, who work alongside doctors, and therapists and technologists, who work independently, evaluating and diagnosing patients, and developing treatment plans. Technicians generally have at least an associate’s degree, although they are often not required to have more than a high school education, as well as some on-the-job training. Therapists and technologists must be more highly educated, and undergo more intensive training.

Here are some examples of positions within the allied health field:

Pharmacy technicians

Pharmacy technicians work alongside pharmacists, helping to dispense medication and advise customers on its use. They can be found working in drugstores and health and personal care stores. To be a pharmacy technician, applicants must pass an exam or complete a designated training program, depending on the state.

Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists work with blood: drawing it, preparing it for testing, and managing transfusions, blood donations, and research. In addition to their secondary education, phlebotomists must complete a phlebotomy program. Phlebotomy pays a mean salary of $31,890, but phlebotomists working for insurance carriers can make a mean of $42,870.

Dispensing Opticians

Dispensing opticians use ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s prescriptions to dispense and fit glasses, contacts, and other optical aids. They also advise customers on eyeglass options and explain care. Although dispensing opticians often have associate degrees or technical certifications, the only requirements are a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists help patients fulfill health and fitness goals by evaluating and advising them on their diet plans. They are most frequently employed by hospitals, where they help patients with long-term health problems confront their issues through nutrition. Dietitians and nutritionists receive a mean salary of $57,440 nationally.

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Orthotists and prosthetists design aids such as artificial limbs and braces based on the needs and measurements of the patient. Both orthotists and prosthetists are required to have a master’s degree and some professional certification, including a one-year residency. This is a high-paying and fast-growing area, with an expected growth of 36% and a mean annual salary of $70,690, although considering that it currently only employs 7,830 people, there sadly aren’t many positions to fill.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists help injured, ill, or disabled patients complete everyday activities in therapeutic ways. Occupational therapists need a minimum of a master’s degree and some form of license or registration (depending on the state.) Occupational therapists earn an average salary of $80,000, with a mean salary of $115,320 for those employed in the scientific research and development services industry.

This blog was originally posted on Matthew Mann's website here. 

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