What Are Online Graduate Educational Courses Like, and Are They Worth Taking?

Exploring the benefits and structure of online graduate programs in educational leadership

Online educational leadership programs have made career advancement in this field more accessible than ever before. But what is it like to take courses in this type of program? And can an online education specialist degree really drive your career forward?

Programs like the graduate degrees offered by Belmont University allow busy professionals to take the courses needed to secure an advanced degree while keeping up with everything else in their lives. 

Are Online Educational Leadership Programs Worth It?

Let’s just get right to the big question—yes, online graduate educational leadership courses are absolutely worth it. Online education has come a long way, and these days, you can get an outstanding educational experience from a respected institution like Belmont University while doing most or all of your coursework online.

The only time you would have to worry about the value of your online educational leadership degree is if you choose a program that isn’t backed by a known and trusted institution. In that case, the degree program might not have the value you would like and might not be worth your time or financial investment. An accredited program with a solid reputation is the only way to go.

In addition to checking on accreditation, you can also look at factors like alumni outcomes, reviews from past students and profiles of faculty members to understand what kind of education you will receive. Spending the time to do your homework on any program will be more than worth it in the end.

A Flexible, Convenient Structure

Of course, one of the primary advantages of an online educational leadership program is the ability to work on your courses wherever you happen to be, provided you have an internet connection. This is a particularly important feature for professionals who will be maintaining their current roles while also seeking higher education. Attending courses in person is probably not realistic with your schedule, but online work can fit in with a little hard work and determination.

Different programs will have different online learning models for you to consider. Some courses are synchronous, meaning they are taught live while being delivered in an online format. While this does require virtual attendance at a given time, it offers the notable advantage of being able to interact with the instructor and your peers. As long as the class schedule is suitable for your needs, this is an excellent way to receive online instruction. For example, courses in the Belmont Educational Leadership program are delivered online during the evening, when you will likely be done with your work for the day.

Asynchronous learning enhances the flexibility of online classes, empowering you to engage with course material at your convenience, day or night. This adaptability allows you to create a personalized learning schedule that fits seamlessly into your busy life. While live interaction isn't a feature of this format, asynchronous learning cultivates valuable skills such as self-discipline, time management, and independent critical thinking. It also provides the opportunity for deeper reflection and more thoughtful responses, as you can take the time to thoroughly process information before contributing to discussions.

Content and Learning Outcomes

It’s easy to focus too much on the “online” aspect of educational leadership programs while losing sight of the actual curriculum and what you will be learning once the program begins.

A good educational leadership program is going to approach the topic from a variety of perspectives to provide you with a well-rounded, balanced experience. Of course, the exact curriculum is going to vary from program to program, but similar themes are going to be seen again and again regardless of the school you choose.

For an idea of what you’ll learn if you enroll in a reputable program (including the one at Belmont), here is a quick introduction to some of the many courses included:

• Data and Decision Making: Utilizing data and analytical tools to solve problems is the focus of this course. It will teach statistical techniques and explain data requirements to make sure the resulting analysis is balanced and useful.
• Equity and Social Justice: A timely course given the current social climate, concepts of culture, diversity, equity and social justice are tackled in this course. With a blend of studies on the history of civil rights in the United States along with modern issues, students will find this course to be particularly helpful as they advance into leadership roles that require careful and informed decision-making on sensitive issues.
• Financial Planning and Management in Education Organizations: School finance in America can be a complex and intimidating topic. From district funding to legal and political issues in state and federal government organizations, it’s imperative leaders know the landscape within their industry. This is a course that will lay the foundation for understanding the challenges and how they can be navigated.
• Instructional Design and Pedagogy: Great instruction is achieved through careful design, and this course helps students understand strategies, theories and methods for achieving excellent results both in classrooms and online.

Some of the Many Benefits

We already talked about the value of convenience in an online program for educational leadership, but that’s just a starting point for how you’ll benefit from getting on this track. There are many other reasons to enroll in this type of program, including:

• Career Advancement: For many, this will be the primary motivation to look for graduate-level courses in educational leadership in the first place. You may find yourself at a point in your career where any attractive advancement opportunities come with the requirement of additional educational achievements. Even if this is the primary motivation to get started, you’ll soon realize that the education you receive is going to mean far more to you than just a line to add to your resume.
• Networking Opportunities: Engaging with other professionals who have a similar background and similar goals for the future is a great chance to expand your network organically. You are likely to come out of this type of program with many more connections than you had at the start and many potential opportunities moving forward.
• Engaging With Different Perspectives: If you have been a professional in your field for some time, it’s easy to fall into habits that are driven by your situation and those around you. When exposed to an educational leadership program with diverse individuals, you are sure to encounter new perspectives and may start to think about your work in a new way. It’s these different perspectives on the same challenges that can help you grow and become a better leader for your school, district or organization.