A dean of students, also known as a dean of student affairs, responds to students' needs at a college or university and plans programs for campus life. The main role of the dean of students is to help with student issues, communicate with students and teachers, and plan activities for students. Typically, an advanced degree is required for this job, and duties can vary depending on the size of the school. Here you will find the details of this career, as well as its salary and job outlook.
Dean of Student Affairs Job Description
A dean of students oversees social programs and support for students at colleges and universities. Successful deans of students collaborate with different departments, stay up to date on relevant student resources, and work directly with students. Education and experience requirements for this position vary, but many deans of students possess an advanced degree and have worked their way up from lower-level positions.
| Required Education | Master's or doctoral degree in education administration or similar field |
| Other Requirements | Candidates may need to progress from lower administrative positions |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 4% for all postsecondary education administrators |
| Mean Salary (2019)* | $115,890 for all postsecondary education administrators |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Does a Dean of Students Do
A dean of students plans and directs university activities related to student services and campus life. As an administrator, a dean of students might help coordinate admissions, health services, financial aid, housing, and social programs for students. The office of a dean of students is generally responsible for serving as a point of information for students and responding to students' needs. A larger university might have multiple deans of students, each of whom has specialized tasks and an area of focus.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for postsecondary education administrators, including deans, will increase by 4% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Deans of students employed by colleges, universities and professional schools earned a mean annual salary of $115,890 in 2019, while those working at junior colleges earned a mean annual salary of $97,970 that year.
Dean of Students Job Duties
The job duties of a dean of students usually include supervising various campus programs and serving as a liaison between college administrators and student organizations such as a student council. Social programs managed through the office of the dean of students might include Greek life and orientation events for incoming students. A dean of students could also coordinate services specifically for transfer or international students. Additionally, they might handle discipline-related processes and procedures.
While deans of students work primarily with non-academic issues, their office initiatives might include encouraging academic success and monitoring students who are struggling in classes. They could also provide advice regarding degree and distribution requirements. When serving as the head of an office or a department, a dean of students might manage the office budget and develop office policies regarding student life program development.
How to Become a Dean of Students
According to the BLS, deans of student affairs might start out in lower administrative positions and progress to higher positions after obtaining an advanced degree in counseling or education administration. At some institutions, a doctoral degree is necessary for a top position in student affairs (www.bls.gov). Master's degree programs in higher education administration and student affairs are available, and some programs can be completed online. Relevant course topics include the finances of higher education, governance and structure of universities, student privacy issues and students' personal development during college years. Doctoral degree programs in education administration are widely available and typically include field experiences in higher education.
Dean vs. Principal
The roles of the dean of students and principal are similar, with a major difference being that a principal is typically the head of a K-12 educational institution, while a dean of students is a college-level administrator. However, some private preparatory schools, as well as some middle and high schools, do have a position called dean of students. This role is often a combination of assistant principal and guidance counselor, with the dean responsible for issues related to discipline, attendance, and overall student safety.
Job duties of a high school principal and college dean of students may differ because of the age and social needs of students; for instance, a non-residential high school would not have housing needs and would likely offer fewer health services and social programs than a university. High school principals typically focus more on curriculum and on the management of teachers and other staff.
Dean of Students Job Skills
The dean of students must have several skills to do their job well, including:
- Empathy for student issues
- Good communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Ability to collaborate with teachers, staff, students and parents
- Good management skills
- Organization
Salary and Job Outlook for a Dean of Students
Individuals who wish to become a K-12 administrator typically need a master's degree and teaching experience. According to the BLS, the 2019 mean salary for elementary and secondary school dean of students was $100,340 a year, with an expected 4% job growth from 2019 to 2029.
Deans of students typically provide support for college students and plan and implement social programs that enrich the college experience. A master's or doctoral degree is most often required for the dean of students, and job prospects in the field are expected to increase through the year 2029 by 4%. The average salary for post secondary dean of students is $115,890 at a four year university or $97,970 at a junior college.
