School administrators and principals are educational leaders who work together to support student success and school operations. Principals operate at the school level, managing the day-to-day operations, staffing and student support of a specific institution. Administrators broaden their responsibilities to the district level, overseeing policies, budgeting and programs across the entire district.
This guide explores the core responsibilities, scope of authority and career pathways for each position to help educators understand their options in educational leadership. With the Master of Science in Education – Educational Administration online program from Youngstown State University (YSU), you can gain the expertise you need to advance into impactful leadership roles and make a difference in the lives of teachers, students and the broader school community.
What Is a School Administrator?
A school administrator is an education professional responsible for overseeing the operations, staff and strategic direction of a school or district. They keep educational institutions running smoothly by leading teachers and staff, managing budgets, overseeing curriculum and implementing policies that align with long-term goals.
School administrative roles are divided into building- and district-level positions. Building-level administrators include assistant principals and principals, who are responsible for the daily operations, student performance and teacher development of an individual school. District-level positions include superintendents and curriculum directors, who oversee the strategic planning, policy and curriculum across multiple schools within a district.
What Does a School Principal Do?
Principals are the primary instructional leaders of K-12 schools. They’re responsible for the operations and strategic planning of a specific school building, including staff supervision, student discipline and community engagement. Their day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Hiring and training staff
- Managing budgets
- Interacting with parents
- Enforcing school policies
- Maintaining a safe school environment
School principals set the academic vision of a school, shaping instructional strategies, teacher development and student success. They develop programs that improve student learning, ensure the curriculum meets educational standards and serve as the primary contact for parents and the local community.
What Are the Key Differences Between School Administrators and Principals?
School principals and administrators both play important roles in shaping educational outcomes, but their roles differ in terms of the scope of their authority. While principals serve as on-site leaders for a single building, administrators often work at the district level, focusing on the broader, system-wide operations across multiple schools.
Principals focus on the specialized functions, handling the daily operations, staffing needs and student well-being of a specific school. Administrators broaden their responsibilities to provide comprehensive school management, managing the organizational, financial and policy-driven goals of an entire district. Students, teachers and parents can come to principals to express their concerns, seek guidance and discuss school-level issues, while administrators often communicate primarily with school leaders and district staff to implement policies and strategic initiatives.
What Educational Requirements Do These Roles Require?
Becoming a school principal required advanced education, certification and several years of professional experience. Many principals begin their careers as classroom teachers, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education and completing a state-approved teacher preparation program to gain licensure. After three to five years of teaching, many pursue a master’s degree in educational administration. Upon graduation, educators must pass a state-mandated licensure exam to become certified administrators and pursue roles that prepare them to advance into school leadership.
School administrators follow a similar educational pathway, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, obtaining licensure and completing one to five years of classroom experience to build a foundation in teaching. Many then pursue a master’s in educational administration and complete a principal preparation program to qualify for leadership roles. After passing state-mandated licensing exams, they can obtain school administrator licensure and pursue district-level positions.
To maintain their licensure, both school administrators and principals must complete ongoing professional development every three to five years. Completing courses and workshops in areas such as instructional leadership, budget management, school safety and legal compliance helps them stay current with best practices and qualify for licensure renewal.
How Do Career Pathways Differ for Administrators and Principals?
Administrators and principals typically begin their careers as teachers, where they gain essential classroom experience. After several years of teaching and completing advanced education, principals often move into school-level leadership positions such as department head or assistant principal, where they oversee daily operations and guide student learning. Administrators instead transition into district-level supervisor or coordinator roles, managing programs, policies and initiatives across multiple institutions.
Both career pathways offer competitive salaries and growth potential. School principals earn a median annual salary of $104,070, with 20,800 openings projected nationwide each year. Education administrators earn slightly higher salaries, with median annual wages of $111,020. With experience, administrators and principals can pursue impactful educational leadership positions, advancing into roles as superintendents and curriculum directors.
Advancing Your Educational Leadership Career
Educational leadership roles offer the opportunity to shape school culture, inspire teachers and make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. School administrators and principals play a key role in fostering professional growth among teachers, implementing high-quality learning experiences and influencing the success of the broader school community.
YSU’s online Master of Science in Education – Educational Administration program prepares educators with a flexible pathway to advance into educational leadership and pursue principal licensure in Ohio. With flexible scheduling, virtual coursework and expert faculty, students can gain the skills they need to pursue impactful educational leadership positions, all while balancing their personal and professional commitments.
Learn more about Youngstown State University’s online M.S.Ed. Educational Administration program.
