What Does a College Dean Do? Careers in Higher Ed
A dean serves as a senior member of an administrative team at a college, but their actual daily responsibilities can vary from school to school and even within different academic departments.
One common administrative role found at higher education institutions is the role of Dean of Students, even if they don't always use that title. Your school might use the term academic dean, but from school to school, these deans serve the same role.
The dean's office is responsible for many aspects of academics and student life, and most schools have more than one dean to make sure these academic responsibilities are properly handled.
What Does a College Dean of Students Do?
A dean of students is responsible for a wide array of aspects of student affairs ranging from living quarters to student body conflict resolution. In many ways, a dean of students is equal parts mentor and guidance counselor.
The members of the dean's office are part of the school's larger administrative team and can be involved in academic affairs and other initiatives to promote learning, such as fundraising. Although there is usually a senior member, the dean's office also has lower-ranking deans, also called assistant deans or associate deans, depending on the school.
The term dean is derived from the Latin term 'decanus', which means leader of ten. The term was changed to 'dean' when English universities began to evolve out of church-based schools. Around the world, deans sometimes have different responsibilities than their American counterparts. In English universities, deans are commonly tied to a single academic unit or serve in disciplinary roles.
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Academic Dean Duties and Responsibilities
The daily responsibilities of a dean can vary based on where they fit within a school as some are tied to specific academic departments, while others oversee activities across the whole school.
Some of the most common activities that a dean will be responsible for include:
- developing academic policies and helping ensure their implementation
- assisting in the hiring, evaluation, and development of faculty members
- making sure that all academic programs meet accreditation standards
- serving as a liaison between the academic administration and faculty of a college
Are Deans Only in Colleges?
Although deans are commonly found in American and British universities, some American high schools also have deans who work alongside a school principal. This is less common for public schools compared to private schools. The role of a collegiate dean is usually performed by a school's principal or vice principal, which makes the role redundant at most high schools.
What Education Is Required to Be A Dean of Students?
To qualify for deanship, a student must graduate and have at least a bachelor's degree, however, most schools require master's degrees and some even prefer applicants to have a doctorate-level degree.
Because the role of a dean involves education and administration, the most commonly earned degrees are in education and business administration. Some schools open applications to other master's level degrees, but they usually prefer something directly applicable to the responsibilities of a dean.
How To Become a Dean
Becoming a dean requires a few main steps, including education requirements.
- Step 1: Earn a degree. A master's is preferred, although some entry-level associate dean jobs might only require a bachelor's. You might need to complete an internship program working with a dean's office for a graduate degree, but not all universities have this requirement. Some schools also like to see prior experience in education or administration.
- Step 2: Before applying for deanship, some applicants might benefit from selecting a specialty within the field. Because deans serve diverse roles across universities, it's sometimes best to focus your education around a specialty. If you're looking to work directly with the student body, for example, a minor in human resources or a similar field of study can help you handle student disputes.
- Step 3: After you earn your deanship, advancing your career usually will involve certifications and other ongoing education. If you only have a bachelor's degree, returning to school for a master's could help, but many deans will pursue a doctorate in education for career advancement.
What Is The Job Outlook For Deans of Students?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, deans are expected to see a 4% job growth rate over the next decade, which exceeds the average for all occupations. One of the biggest causes for growth is the expectation of people leaving the workforce, either through career changes or retirement.
Pursuing A Degree To Work In Higher Education
If you're interested in becoming a dean, you'll want to earn a degree with most students pursuing a master's degree in education or business administration. If you already have a master's in another subject, you might not have to go back to school to be hired as a dean.
In the modern era of education, these degrees can be earned both on-campus and online, making it more convenient than ever to become a dean.
Some master's degree in education programs available to students include online and on-campus offerings from:
