The pathway toward becoming a dean of a department or college is rather lengthy, yet incredibly rewarding. It’s a universal requirement that all academic deans must have at least a bachelor’s degree, and the vast majority of positions require at least one graduate degree.
For your bachelor’s degree, you should major in the subject area that you are most passionate about. Academic deans are hired for every type of college and department, so your choice of bachelor’s degree should reflect the department you would eventually like to lead.
Then, you will need to earn a master’s degree. Again, there is considerable flexibility here. Some institutions prefer to hire administrators with a master’s degree in education and/or higher education leadership. Others prefer that their administrators have a stronger academic background in the department’s subject area.
After earning your master’s degree, you might choose to enter the workforce to begin gaining practical experience. For example, a master’s degree can qualify you to become a professor or an administrator at a community college. Many universities prefer to hire deans who have experience as professors or instructors.
Alternatively, you may decide to work toward your doctorate degree right away. A Doctor of Education (EdD) in a relevant area, such as higher education leadership, is an ideal choice for an aspiring dean. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a related area is also suitable. Note that a PhD program will focus on theory and research, whereas an EdD is more oriented toward the use of evidence-based research for practical applications.
Grand Canyon University aims to provide an exceptional academic experience for every student. If you would like more information about GCU’s doctoral programs, such as the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Higher Education Leadership (Qualitative Research) or doctoral resources such as the Doctoral Community (DC) Network™, visit the College of Doctoral Studies or click on the Request More Information button at the top of this page.
