If you are interested in making a positive contribution towards improving the country’s higher education landscape as a policy maker or an administrator, then this article will be of great use to you. It will help you explore different Higher Education degree options and the career prospects in this field.
What Is Higher Education?
Higher Education programs train individuals to take up leadership positions within American universities and colleges, as well as government agencies and non-profit organizations. These degrees offer a comprehensive curriculum that prepares program participants for higher education administration, policymaking, and research.
What Can You Do with a Higher Education Degree?
After completing a Higher Education degree, individuals can kick-start their professional careers as Associate Directors and Directors of Career Services, Student Life, and Admissions. They can also work as Administrators and Academic Deans.
Now, let’s discuss the income prospects in this field. The wage statistics for some of the above-mentioned roles are highlighted below. These figures have been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Postsecondary Education Administrators
These professionals oversee and supervise faculty research, academics, and student services at colleges and universities. These administrators can either work in the admissions office or the registrar’s office. Some of them may even serve as Academic Deans and Provosts.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $95,410 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 7% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $112,400 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 11,670 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New Jersey | $154,430 |
School and Career Counselors
These professionals help students choose a path to employment. Some career counselors also help individuals land jobs by teaching them interview preparation techniques and resume writing. They mostly work at colleges and private and public schools.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $57,040 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 8% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $61,000 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 32,650 |
| State with the Highest Salary Level, 2019 | California | $78,250 |
Post-Secondary Teachers
Post-Secondary Teachers usually work in colleges universities and teach students technical and academic courses. They are also called Adjunct Professors, Assistant Professors, and Professors.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $65,510 (Post-Secondary Education Teachers) | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 11% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $74,560 (Post-Secondary Education Teachers) | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level of Post-Secondary Education Teachers, 2019 | New York | 6,210 |
| State with the Highest Salary Level of Post-Secondary Education Teachers, 2019 | Alaska | $106,280 |
What to Expect from a Higher Education Degree?
Currently, universities in the U.S. are offering a Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education. Students can opt for an Education major at the Associate’s and Bachelor’s level. The length of these academic programs varies from school to school.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education prepares students for careers in leadership, management, and administration, at two-year and four-year educational institutions. This degree helps students to gain practical experience by offering them graduate assistantships and internships. This program also introduces students to simulations, case studies, and practical examples to help them learn about real-world scenarios.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Higher Education is suited to those people who want to pursue upper-level administrative roles at universities and colleges. This degree helps students understand the application of contextual and cultural variables to institutional settings.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Higher Education is suited to those individuals who are interested in policy analysis or higher education research. This degree offers several concentrations such as Public Policy or Students Affairs. The program trains students for administrative, faculty, and research positions, through research, elective, and core coursework.
How to Choose a Higher Education Degree?
Before shortlisting a Higher Education degree, you should take into account several factors. These include, accreditation status of the degree/college, cost of the degree, the reputation of the teaching staff, program and university ranking, course content, program length, and specialization options.
Higher Education Degree Admission Requirements
In order to get into a Higher Education program, you will be required to visit the program website and will have to upload a long list of documents on the Admissions Application Portal. These documents include, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, resume, and transcripts. You might also need to submit your GRE scores and/or English Language Test scores. The language test is compulsory for some international applicants.
*Please note that these are general admissions guidelines. For detailed information, visit your program’s website and study the resources published there.