Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
Also Known As
- Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP)
- Academic Dean
- Dean
- Registrar
Alternate Job Titles
- Academic Affairs Dean
- Academic Affairs Director
- Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP)
- Academic Coordinator
- Academic Dean
- Academic Vice President (Academic VP)
- Administration Dean
- Admissions Coordinator
- Admissions Dean
- Admissions Director
- Adult Basic Education Manager
- Arts and Sciences Dean
- Business Dean
- Campus Coordinator
- Campus Dean
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
- Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
- Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Instructing
- Writing
- Speaking
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Originality
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Leadership Orientation
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Social Orientation
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Docs
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Personal computers
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $63,820 |
| Median | $103,960 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $212,420 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 176,420
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $104,070
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $72,090
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $65,140
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $44,930
Instructional Coordinators
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $74,720
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.