Hello all! I just have some a few questions regarding the background of what it’s like to attend these programs, and if its right for me. I’m very interested in being a dean of humanities, or even a health affairs officer of some sort. How can I start down this path? Once I get a degree in philosophy should I teach somewhere somehow while I am working towards my masters or should I go straight for an Ed.D? Should I just go all the way and get my doctorate first before looking for a career? What do you guys think is the best route for one who is interested in the whole Higher Ed Administration? Thanks in advance!
Traditionally, academic affairs officers - deans of divisions like humanities, provosts, VP of academic affairs, etc. - were faculty members who ascended from their faculty role into administration. The traditional pathway is that you would get a PhD in your field, get a tenure-track position as a professor somewhere, and teach there for some years (usually at least 10). While you taught and gained some seniority, you’d do service to the college and serve on administrative committees - maybe chair your department, chair search committees, direct the undergraduate program, etc. After, you’d then seek administrative positions either at your own college or elsewhere. You might start out as an assistant dean and work your way to dean. Deans are usually distinguished faculty members who have a long history in academia.
Student life folks - health affairs, residential life/housing, disability services, etc. - is quite different. Those tend to be career college student services folks, often with advanced degrees in higher education administration or a similar field. I have a couple friends in this field; a friend of mine is an assistant director of heatlh services at a public flagship university and she has an MA in health education and several years of experience working at a public health department. I have another friend who is the director of housing at an elite private university; she has an MA in HEA and several years of experience working her way up through several housing related positions.
Usually, people who get a doctorate in HEA have an MA in HEA first. Typically successful MA students have a few years (1-3) of experience working at a college or university in some capacity. Often in college, these students were resident assistants or worked in the offices of the college. After college, you can often find work as a residential hall director or in some other office and work on your MA at the same time (that’s why I know so many of them…I worked in residential life in grad school. A lot of them get their start there.) Often the university will cover part or all of your tuition this way. Then they often go work for several years - usually at least 3, often many more - before pursuing the doctorate in HEA.
An EdD is a professional degree. People don’t typically go for them without prior work experience. A PhD on the other hand, is common to go into straight out of undergrad/masters.
Deans are not career administrators, they are faculty members that have worked their way up and moved into administration.