Higher education administrators provide leadership.
Many students today are being drawn to the field of higher education administration, and with the movement of adults back to school for increased education, it offers increased job stability. In spite of the stress that comes from such responsibility and the potentially long hours, many experience great satisfaction from working with students and also enjoy the many benefits that these positions yield.
Job Description
Education administrators in higher education provide leadership and manage the daily operations of colleges and universities. They supervise managers and staff as well as teachers. They also create goals around the standards of the institution and put the policies in place to ensure those goals are reached. Depending upon the role they play, they may also manage relations between the institution and the community, as well as relations with parents or students. Daily responsibilities will vary depending upon the administrator's role.
Salary and Benefits
In May 2008, the average salary for a higher education administrator was $80,670, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $45,050 and the highest earning more than $160,500. Benefits are usually generous, with administrators accruing four or five weeks of paid time off each year. They also receive good health and pension benefits.
Work Environment
Many higher education administrators find the job of working with students extremely rewarding. However, administrators do hold positions that require a substantial amount of responsibility and, as the work load increases, so does the stress. In 2008, 35 percent of school administrators reported working more than 40 hours per week, many working nights and weekends monitoring or managing school functions.
Education Requirements
Most college and university deans and chairpersons advance to those positions from professorships within their departments, a position which required them to hold a master's or doctoral degree. Additional education is not usually necessary. Directors and registrars in student affairs, financial aid or admissions often require advanced degrees in counseling, college student affairs or higher education administration. The top position within the student affairs office usually requires a Ph.D. or Ed.D.
Job Outlook
Employment is expected to grow 8 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is the average growth rate for all jobs. However, it is important to note that with the rapid growth in post-secondary students with adult learners, there will be an increased amount of growth in institutions. As such, administrators will be needed to manage those new institutions, particularly in part-time programs or distance learning.
Tags: higher education, student affairs, education administration, education administrators, higher education administration