How to Become a Dean of a College

A 2025 survey published by the educational technology firm Anthology found that 51 percent of college students are pursuing a degree to increase their earning potential, 45 percent want better job benefits and 40 percent need a degree to advance in their field.

Regardless of their primary motivation, students see college as an investment in themselves and their futures. College deans are essential to ensuring that this investment pays off.

For those who are interested in working at one of the highest levels at colleges and universities and equipping institutions with the resources to empower student success, here’s how to become a dean of a college, including information on education requirements, skills and salary expectations.

What Does the Dean of a College Do?

Deans oversee a specific division within a college or university. Some oversee an academic division, such as a college of arts and sciences or a school of education, while others oversee a particular aspect of operations, such as student life or faculty development.

Typically, deans provide strategy and direction to others in their division. At smaller schools, though, they often take a more hands-on approach to their duties. Common duties include:

• Hiring and retaining staff and faculty
• Managing budgets
• Securing grants, donations and other types of funding
• Planning services for students and faculty within their unit
• Handling faculty and student conflicts
• Collaborating with deans of other units
• Reporting to the provost, chancellor, president and other institutional leaders

Additionally, each type of dean has unique responsibilities. For example, a dean of students might oversee enrollment and housing, while the dean of a college of education might focus more on curriculum development.

Requirements to Become the Dean of a College

Many paths lead to becoming a college dean, and each institution has its own criteria. However, becoming a competitive candidate for any dean position often requires earning an advanced degree and gaining experience with administration in higher education.

Skill Requirements

Like leaders in other sectors, deans must be able to manage their time, budgets and other resources effectively. However, being a leader in education requires an additional set of skills.

To carry out their duties, deans must be able to:

• Collaborate and communicate with faculty, staff, alumni and community stakeholders
• Mediate disagreements and differences between students, faculty and others
• Conduct research on their organization’s operations
• Use research conducted by others
• Understand and implement new educational technology
• Promote staff and faculty development
• Set clear, actionable goals for others in their division

Deans must be knowledgeable about policies related to how educational institutions use funds, the services and information they’re required to give students, and other regulations set forth by federal and state governments.

Education Requirements

Though it’s possible to become a dean of a college with a master’s degree, many schools require or prefer applicants to have a doctorate. The type of degree one needs to become a dean depends largely on what type of dean they wish to become.

For example, if a school needs a new dean for their business school, they might choose a candidate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or similar degree. The same is often true for other academic dean positions, as well.

However, earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) can make a candidate more attractive for a wide range of dean positions and institutions. This is because EdD programs offer classes on:

• Curriculum theory
• Applied educational research
• Change management
• Educational technology implementation
• Educational leadership principles
• Educational finance management

By pursuing this type of degree, professionals from all academic and professional backgrounds can learn the skills they need to become effective deans and other types of educational leaders.

Experience Requirements

Becoming a dean of a college typically requires having some experience in postsecondary education. Professors, instructors and other faculty are great candidates for dean positions because of their knowledge of the curriculum and experience with students, especially if they’ve held roles such as department chair.

Other professionals become deans after working in college administration and earning an advanced degree such as an EdD or a PhD. This includes those who work in enrollment, admissions, student life or the school’s financial office. Some professionals first work as associate deans, administrators who act as liaisons between the dean and other members of an institution.

How Much Does the Dean of a College Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), postsecondary education administrators earned a median annual salary of $103,960 as of May 2024. The top 10 percent of earners in this sector made more than $212,420. Salaries can vary widely based on years of experience, size and location of an institution, and the type of dean a professional becomes.

Become the Informed Leader Students and Faculty Need

In Augusta University Online’s EdD in Educational Innovation with a concentration in Educational Leadership program, working professionals can learn the skills they need to be effective, transformative leaders in today’s ever-shifting educational landscape. Over the course of about three years, students in the concentration take classes on the economics of education, organizational development and much more.

To find out more about Augusta’s practitioner-driven, research-focused and culturally responsive approach to leadership education, request more information today.

Recommended Readings
4 Leadership Styles in Education
7 Types of Education Degrees You Can Pursue to Advance Your Career
Dr. Wayne Hickman: Lessons in School Culture and Navigating Change

Sources:
Anthology, The Students’ Perspective: Valuable Insights for University Leaders
Indeed, Dean of Students Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
Indeed, How to Become a College Administrator
Indeed, How to Become an Associate Dean in 5 Steps (With Salary)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Education Administrators