Helping students find the right college and navigate the application and admission process. Assessing children’s learning needs and helping families get the necessary academic support. Designing, implementing, and evaluating instructional materials.
Those are all job roles you can find within the broad and varied field of education consulting. Many schools, families, and educational organizations rely on the expertise of these professionals to influence positive educational change and improve student achievement. Let’s explore this important career field.
What Is an Educational Consultant?
An educational consultant is a professional who offers guidance to students, parents, schools, and other organizations in areas including academic achievement, curriculum, college admission, and career development.
The best educational consultants are passionate about learning—in K–12 and higher education—and helping students achieve their potential. Most are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in how education is delivered and received.
These education experts may have prior experience in teaching or administration. Most educational consultants have a graduate degree, like an MS in Education, Doctor of Education (EdD), or PhD in Education.1
What Do Educational Consultants Do?
Educational consultants perform a wide range of tasks. What they do mostly depends on their career focus. Here are some examples of the kinds of work they do:
Children and Families
Parents want their children to love learning and get an education that will help them succeed. Working with families and students, education consultants help match children with the right schools and programs. They may assess students’ learning styles and needs, and ensure they get the services and assistive equipment they require. Education consultants help students identify colleges and universities that are the right fit and help guide them through the admission process. They also help students explore career options and training opportunities.1
Schools and Government Agencies
Educational consultants work with school districts and government organizations to help develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs. Their work may be specific to a certain subject, like science or math, or it may have a broader reach. They may work on projects targeted at improving academic achievement, addressing student attendance, developing curriculum, and more.2 Educational consultants may find work in staff positions or as independent contractors.
Education Companies
Businesses that create educational products, such as book publishers and educational technology companies, work with education consultants to deliver the right products for schools, students, and teachers.3 Some businesses may need educational consultants who are experts in online learning. Other projects may require an understanding of the functional needs of people with disabilities. Education consultants’ knowledge of best practices helps inform product development from inception.
How to Become an Education Consultant
To become an educational consultant, you’ll need “extensive preparation,” according to O*Net. Many education consulting jobs require:1
- A graduate degree from an accredited university.
- Extensive skill, knowledge, work-related experience, and training.
- More than five years of experience.
- Advanced communication and organizational skills.
If you’re interested in a graduate degree, you may want to consider earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) online. Walden University’s EdD program allows you to focus your studies on an area that aligns with your career interests. Find and follow your purpose in one of 13 specializations. Options include Educational Administration and Leadership (for Administrators); Community College Leadership; Reading, Literacy, and Assessment; and Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.
Walden also offers a PhD in Education online degree program with a choice of 11 specializations, including Educational Technology and Design; Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy; and Learning, Instruction, and Innovation.
Walden’s online doctoral degree programs give you the flexibility to earn your EdD or PhD while continuing your professional and personal activities. And Walden is there to provide student support throughout your doctoral journey, with valuable resources like the Writing Center and the Doctoral Degree Coach®, an interactive planning and progress-tracking tool.
Learn more about Walden’s doctoral programs and take the next step toward pursuing your passion in education.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1012.00#Education
2Source: oshr.nc.gov/migrated-files/guide/compwebsite/profiles/educational-consultant-comp-profile/download
3Source: https://resilienteducator.com/teaching-careers/educational-consultant
Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from April 2019 through June 2026. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation, promoting excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. The Riley College of Education and Human Sciences earned CAEP accreditation by meeting rigorous national standards and demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
The Doctor of Education (EdD) and PhD in Education programs do not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether these programs may qualify for salary advancement.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.