Careers in Higher Education Administration: Finding Jobs in Higher Ed

Choosing to work in higher education full-time and building a career out of it can be rewarding. Many who choose this path have a passion for dedicating their talents and vocation to furthering future generations' experiences and skills. Their crucial work improves the quality and relevance of collegiate education.

Whether you know exactly what you want to do in higher education administration or want to learn more about the field, we have the answers to common questions.  

Why Should I Consider Job Opportunities in Higher Education?

Higher education is a competitive field with many opportunities for advancement and accolades. Pursuing a career in higher education can help you stay involved in current research and academia, giving you a greater understanding of the vital work being done to improve industries and fields beyond higher education. Plenty of positions in higher education administration can utilize your unique skills and experiences, and your contributions to campuses can bring vibrancy to the college experience

What Are Some Careers in Higher Education Administration? 

Careers in higher education administration require specific training and academic experiences, all of which equip professionals to improve collegiate life for each generation. Here are a few of the careers you can aspire to within higher education administration:

Provost

A provost serves as the chief academic officer at a university. They handle academic planning and manage faculty, helping the university remain relevant and effective in its goals, from keeping admissions numbers up to evolving academic program offerings. Provosts also work to keep a school within its budget, including helping determine research projects, space allocation, and library resources. They use their organizational skills and leadership experience to keep the institution effective and in good academic standing, working closely with accreditation committees and their colleagues to maintain a school’s reputation.

Director of Financial Aid

Directors of financial aid run a school’s financial assistance department, helping more students make their college dreams a reality. They help implement financial aid programs like grants, loans, paid internships, and work-study programs, making higher education more accessible for those who may need extra help affording it. Part of their role involves evaluating student loan eligibility and verifying their applications. Directors of financial aid help monitor the school’s funding and coordinate the school’s funds to help distribute federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds. If you have a passion for making education accessible and helping students reach their career goals through a degree, financial aid could be a great career choice for you

Academic Advisor

Academic advisors help students reach their educational, career, and professional goals. They work with students to develop academic plans like course schedules and area of study choices. Their understanding of the program’s goals and requirements helps students ensure they meet all the educational requirements to complete the degree while having a supportive mentor along the way.

Advisors also help students set their goals and encourage them to continue developing their skills. Professionals in this role can also advance to the head of academic advising, putting their higher education administration education to good use and improving the advising process for students.

Director of Alumni Relations

A college’s director of alumni relations helps the institution stay connected with its alumni through fundraising, staying in touch with recent and distant graduates and their accomplishments, and working to keep healthy relationships with graduates from the university. Alumni relations professionals may help with the school’s newsletter and celebrate the successes of alumni by featuring them in the newsletter. Their work is critical to assisting graduates to stay connected to what their alma mater is up to and how they can support its work. Alumni relations roles are crucial to helping an institution continue making an impact in various industries.

Director of Career Services

Individuals in this role manage an institution’s career services offices, helping the school run job fairs and mock interviews and preparing students for what to expect in the workforce. Career services directors are well-connected in various industries and aim to help graduates of the institution succeed in their chosen path. They build and foster relationships with big companies and help alumni plan their careers, a vital part of an institution’s success in their job placement rates.

How Do I Keep Working in Higher Education? 

If you already have a job working in an aspect of higher education, like in an admissions office, it may be easier for you to chart your course to more advanced positions. Generally, making a career out of your work in higher education requires pursuing a higher education administration degree and doing the work to become an established member of the academic community. 

Putting in this time and effort can help you reach your goals of impacting higher education from a higher level, helping more students reach their potential, and recognizing their giftings through your institution.

Pursue a Higher Ed Administration Degree: Simmons School of Education and Human Development

Do you want to take your love for higher education to the next level? Pursue a degree in higher education administration! SMU Simmons offers both an MEd and an EdD in Higher Education Administration, allowing you to pick the degree that best fits your career goals and aspirations.

The Master of Education in Higher Education offers flexible program options, giving students the choice between full-time and part-time tracks. The part-time track accommodates working professionals, so you don’t have to pause your career to earn your degree. Our full-time track includes a graduate assistantship, so you will get real-world experience throughout your time in the program. 

Our Doctor of Education in Higher Education is a terminal degree focused on leadership, policy analysis, and applied research in higher education administration. This program is designed for individuals aspiring to executive leadership roles in higher education institutions or related organizations. It emphasizes the practical application of research to address real-world challenges in educational settings. 

To learn more about what it can look like to pursue a degree in higher education, download our guide.