Education law is a subset of legal study that focuses on laws and regulations related to educational institutions. Studying education law can be beneficial for a variety of potential career opportunities. This includes both careers primarily in the legal sector and careers primarily in the education sector. In this article, we discuss careers in education law and tips for finding work as an education law professional after completing your schooling.
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9 careers in education law
If you’re interested in studying education law, you may work towards one of the following careers. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Teacher
National average salary: $24,029 per year
Primary duties: A teacher educates students in a classroom or online setting, according to a provided curriculum or a curriculum they develop themselves. They are responsible both for educating students about the subject of their course and assessing students’ development through projects and examinations. Studying education law provides a teacher with the knowledge they require to offer instruction to students interested in pursuing law as a potential career, or students interested in studying the topic recreationally.
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2. Professor
National average salary: $53,332 per year
Primary duties: A professor is an educator who works at a college or university leading courses for students who attend the institution. Possessing expertise on a subject is often a requirement for individuals seeking work as a professor. This allows you to use the knowledge you gained in education law to provide meaningful education to students enrolled in your courses. This includes both classroom instruction as well as examinations and assignments to assess the development of students enrolled in the class.
3. Political consultant
National average salary: $61,590 per year
Primary duties: A political consultant works for a political campaign or political organization advising to help the client achieve their goals. They may provide guidance on topics ranging from gaining positive public opinion to remaining in accordance with laws and regulations on a campaign. A political consultant with a degree in education law can assist a political campaign or organization with making proposals that align with existing laws, as well as making proposals that make changes to laws that they believe would provide benefits to the voting public.
4. Lawyer
National average salary:$73,329 per year
Primary duties: A lawyer is a legal professional who provides guidance for clients and represents them in legal proceedings. A lawyer who specializes in education law can apply their knowledge of laws related to schooling to clients which include schools and school districts, members of the faculty or organizations that represent them, and students or their parents. A lawyer may help their clients avoid legal proceedings or seek positive outcomes in proceedings they wish to initiate or initiate against them.
5. Curriculum leader
National average salary: $76,111 per year
Primary duties: A curriculum leader provides oversight for an academic institution or district in the creation and implementation of its curriculum. They are often responsible for ensuring that a department operates within its budget while also covering all required subjects. A curriculum leader may benefit from understanding laws and regulations related to the education field, using their expertise to craft a curriculum that aligns with local and federal oversight regulations.
6. Policy analyst
National average salary: $77,048 per year
Primary duties: A policy analyst provides consultation on the development and implementation of legislative policy. They often possess expertise in a field, allowing the policy analyst to speak authoritatively about the subject and provide valuable advice to the politician or organization developing the legislation. A policy analyst requires a strong understanding of laws related to the fields in which they provide analysis to ensure that all drafted legislation is enforceable if passed.
7. Principal
National average salary: $79,168 per year
Primary duties: A principal is the senior official in a school. They oversee and consult on daily operations within the school, including setting and enforcing policies, hiring and firing decisions, and meeting school performance expectations. A principal may use their knowledge of education law to identify opportunities where the school may benefit by taking a specific action.
8. Legal adviser
National average salary: $81,946 per year
Primary duties: A legal adviser is a law professional who provides legal counsel to large organizations. A legal adviser may work for a school or school district, providing advice to representatives of the school or district on legal matters. They may alert clients to potentially risky actions to avoid legal troubles, as well as offer advice on how to respond to both formal and informal actions by outside parties in relation to the school or district.
9. Dean
National average salary: $82,356 per year
Primary duties: A dean is a senior official at a college, university, or other institute of higher education. They are responsible both for managing staff and faculty as well as managing the finances and daily operations of the institution. A dean ensures that all actions committed by a university and its representatives align with the laws under which the school operates.
Tips for finding work in education law
If you are considering a career in education law, follow these steps:
Choose your path
Studying education law is an education path that provides many diverse options for professional careers. The career path you prefer to follow can have a significant impact on your post-education expectations, and the type of classes you may benefit from taking. Deciding early what your chosen career path is with your education law degree allows you to customize your education and internship opportunities to align with your preferred career path.
Know your degree expectations
One area where the different career paths can differ significantly is in the education requirements to pursue them. While education law careers in administrative or advisory positions may only require a master’s degree in education law, if you wish to practice law, you must also earn your law degree. Education law professionals interested in teaching at a college or university often earn a doctorate degree to further enhance their credentials.
Set intermediary goals
When seeking high-ranking positions with an education law degree, your ultimate career destination may involve many years of work before you earn it. Setting intermediary goals allows you to create targets to remain on schedule for your chosen career. This may include goals during your education career and goals after you enter the professional sector, such as pursuing a specific job that you believe sets you up for success in your long-term aspirations.
Grow your professional network
Many senior positions in education law are in a highly competitive field. Developing a professional network can help you learn competitive positions by providing you with valuable references and individuals who may suggest you for positions. Attending networking opportunities and maintaining positive professional relationships with individuals in positions to help your career can be beneficial towards reaching your ultimate goals in education law.
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