OVERVIEW
What is a Distance Education Administrator?
Distance education administrators oversee and instruct the distance learning programs for academic institutions. They develop curricula, institute programs, and monitor ongoing changes for all virtual learning opportunities.
They are educators with a passion for technology and the accessibility and equity it can bring to the learning space. They are detail-oriented and efficient coordinators, with a keen eye for compliance.
Distance education administrators are those who are comfortable with diverse day-to-day responsibilities and are excited about ongoing developments in distance learning. They constantly seek to improve the virtual learning experience and tailor distance learning to a variety of courses, each with specific needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Distance Education Administrator Do?
Distance education administrators improve virtual learning experiences by designing and overseeing programs for education that takes place outside of the classroom. As virtual learning becomes more and more integrated into all levels of education, distance education administrators are responsible for finding effective and efficient ways for educators to deliver the same message that a student would get in a traditional classroom setting.
Responsibilities can vary for a distance education administrator, depending on the size, level, and type of institution they work at.
An administrator for a university might have responsibilities like these:
- Oversee virtual classroom programs for functionality and compliance
- Audit lectures and present ways to translate content to the digital classroom
- Coordinate information that instructors and teachers need to better utilize their virtual learning space
And an administrator for a K–12 school district may have additional responsibilities like these:
- Oversee virtual testing for compliance and the following of state and federal education regulations
- Propose distance learning solutions for a variety of classes
- Design and develop faculty workshops and lead your colleagues in implementing virtual learning
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Distance Education Administrator?
Distance education administrators typically hold a bachelor’s degree in education, education management, education technology, or a related field.
As the field develops and becomes more competitive, there is an increasing need for distance education administrators who hold a higher degree. A master's degree in education technology and instructional design is one of the most popular advanced degrees in education technology. This program encompasses instructional design, research, education, management, and technology integration. WGU designs its programs to be relevant and practical for the present workforce, as well as the workforce developments to come.
Best Degrees for Distance Education Administrators
Education
Educational Studies – B.A.
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to...
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to make a difference in a field that interests you.
Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in one of 10 content areas that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, or instructional design. These programs do not lead to a teaching license.
- Time: Completion time varies depending on the specialty track you choose.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- This bachelor's degree allows students to learn about education but does not include student teaching and it does not lead to a teaching license.
Focus areas of this educational studies degree program include:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary and Special Education
- Mild to Moderate Special Education
- Secondary Biology Science Education
- Secondary Chemistry Science Education
- Secondary Earth Science Education
- Secondary Physics Education
- Middle Grades Science Education
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Middle Grade Mathematics Education
Education
Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
No teaching license required.
- Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
- Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:
- The K-12 pathway
- The Adult Learner pathway
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Learning Experience Design
- Assessment and Learning Analytics
- Learning Technology
- Research Methodology
Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.
How Much Does a Distance Education Administrator Make?
$85,450
According to Career Explorer, the average salary for a distance learning coordinator is around $85,450 per year or roughly $41 per hour. This is a higher median than many other jobs in the education sector and reflects the level of education and experience often required by distance education administrators.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
11%
The expected job market growth for distance education administrators is extremely positive. There is a roughly 11% increase expected between the years of 2016 and 2026, and that only continues to increase as education systems and curriculums adjust to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in virtual learning. The market is strong and will continue to be so for qualified administrators.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Distance Education Administrator Need?
Distance education administrators are analytical, assertive, and optimistic. They need a passion for learning and an excitement to continue developing—not only for themselves in their career but for technological advancement and the betterment of their learning systems. They should be comfortable with a changing landscape and have the ability to make quick executive decisions.
Some commonly listed skills in distance education administrator job listings include:
- Excellent communicators, with a desire to work cross-divisionally
- Strong leaders, mentors, and coaches
- Effective copers with crisis and controversial situations
- Detail-oriented, paying special attention to each course’s specific needs
- High level of respect for compliance and confidentiality
- Strong presentation skills
- Innovative problem solvers who can work autonomously, while keeping a team mindset
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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