Higher education faces significant obstacles as it adjusts to rapid societal changes. Technological advances are disrupting traditional instruction and assessment; political developments threaten further disruption; and public confidence in academic institutions is in decline.
These challenges amplify the need for qualified and effective higher education leaders. Tomorrow’s leaders must be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and standards to promote education, manage institutions, and impact policy. If you aspire to become one of those leaders, the online Master of Education (MEd) in Education Policy and Leadership program at American University can help you reach your goal. Continue reading to learn about typical higher education leadership jobs and how an MEd can help prepare you for these roles.
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Exploring Leadership Jobs in Higher Education Administration
The post-secondary education administration field spans a broad range of roles and responsibilities. Read on to learn more about some of the most common higher education leadership roles suitable for candidates with a master’s degree in education.
Dean of Academics
A dean of academics directs academic programs of a higher education institution. Their responsibilities include supervising and encouraging faculty members, developing curricula, and maintaining educational standards. They often participate in strategic planning and policy development. To become an academic dean, you will likely need a master’s degree in a relevant field such as education, curriculum and instruction, or educational leadership. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, college and university administrators earn a mean annual income of $125,950.
Director of Academic Advising
A college or university academic advising department helps students navigate their educational paths by providing guidance on course selection, degree requirements, and career planning. The director of academic advising leads and manages this department. Their day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing student orientation program development, monitoring student success metrics, and collaborating with faculty and administrators to align advising services with institutional goals. Directors of academic advising earn an average salary of about $90,000.
Director of Career Services
Career services directors lead and manage an institution’s job counseling and placement office. Their day-to-day responsibilities vary depending on the size of the institution. Typical duties include liaising with potential employers, managing the career services office’s personnel and budget, and organizing career networking events. Career services directors at smaller colleges may also counsel students directly. Most career services director positions require candidates to hold a master’s degree in education or a related field. Career services directors earn an average yearly salary of around $73,000. The top-paid 10% earn over $124,000 annually.
Director of Admissions
A director of admissions manages a higher education institution’s recruitment, application, and enrollment processes. They develop strategies to attract qualified applicants, oversee admissions staff, and ensure compliance with institutional policies and enrollment goals. Salaries vary widely among institutions. For example, directors of admissions in one state university system earn salaries between $78,000 and $150,000.
Director of Finance and Operations
A higher education director of finance and operations oversees an institution’s financial planning, budgeting, and operational management. They ensure financial stability, manage resources, and align operational strategies with organizational goals. They often supervise areas like facilities, human resources, and technology. These professionals earn an average yearly salary of around $153,000.
Do You Need a Master’s Degree for Education Administration Roles?
Hiring in education administration favors candidates with appropriate experience and credentials. While not all administration jobs require candidates to have graduate degrees, many do, and nearly all prefer candidates who have a master’s or doctorate. In all instances, an advanced degree can help you stand out in the job market and improve the likelihood of landing your dream job.
Earning a master’s degree in education, especially one focused on policy and leadership, like AU’s online MEd, provides these benefits:
- Skills development: The AU online MEd program helps you cultivate the critical competencies to succeed as an education leader. It teaches strategic budgeting, collaborative inquiry, policy analysis, partnership building, learning science, and program evaluation skills.
- Practical experience: During their final semester, AU MEd students participate in a field-based project in which they apply the skills developed throughout the program to a real-world setting.
- Networking and industry connections: The AU online MEd program follows a cohort model, enabling students to connect with others in the industry and build lasting professional relationships.
Strengthen Your Higher Education Administration Resume
Do you aspire to make a difference in the ever-evolving higher education sector? Earning a master’s in education offers a proven path to senior leadership positions at higher education institutions.
AU’s online MEd in Education Policy and Leadership caters to those seeking impactful careers in higher education administration. The program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to effect change at local, state, and federal levels. Emphasizing educational policy, leadership, law, economics, equity, and education research, the AU online MEd prepares you to transform the education landscape for the better.
Ready to take the next step toward your education leadership career? Connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more about AU’s online MEd in Education Policy and Leadership. Or, start your application now if you’re ready.
