What Can I Do with a Master’s in Higher Education Administration?

A master's in higher education administration will provide many job opportunities, but successful candidates must have excellent communication, analytical, critical inquiry, problem solving and decision-making skills. Commitment to ethical leadership, student diversity, staff development and positive human relations will increase the job candidate’s employability. Also, there are many education publications and higher education conferences that allow individuals to stay up to date and eventual grow networking skills. Learn about the benefits of a master's in education here.

Student Engagement Outreach Specialist

Student engagement outreach specialists analyze data related to enrollment, engagement and learning outcome statistics. They do this to determine program, teacher and student success rates and trends. They use this data to write grant proposals, internal reports and performance reviews. Their daily responsibilities involve hosting and supporting community events that engage and help current and potential students. They often meet with school management to discuss program management, financial oversight, student debt and student learning assessments. They also collaborate with academic departments, student clubs, civic organizations and community partners. These engagement outreach specialists develop and implement various learning opportunities and leadership development activities for students.

Leadership Program Administrator

Leadership program administrators are responsible for supporting the endeavors of students who want to become academic leaders. Many of these students become resident assistants (RAs) and student service volunteers who contribute to the development of healthy and vibrant college communities. They are responsible for program administration, leadership training and staff development in residence halls and student support programs. They usually experience in college student management and higher education administration. They must have demonstrated knowledge of student development theory, residential life planning, support programming and crisis interventions. Their strong interpersonal and communication skills will help them effectively work with students, parents and coworkers.

Student Services Dean

A student services dean will coordinate programs and take actions consistent with the school’s mission and strategic objectives. They oversee functional areas of the campus’ student services center. This usually includes judicial affairs, student appeals, retention efforts, academic advising and new student orientations. They provide training to staff and faculty on appropriate topics. They assist with the development and maintenance of campus recruiting, student counseling, staff guidance, policy feedback and higher education administration. Student services dean are expected to have excellent multitasking, conflict resolution and time management competencies. They must have the ability to work independently, deal with diverse populations and use good judgment in complex situations.

Admissions Administrator

Admissions administrators in colleges are responsible for the daily implementation of student intake programs and customer relationship management. They utilize the best industry standards that enhance individualized relationships with each applicant as they move through the initial enrollment process. They provide direct supervision of enrollment representatives and admissions counselors. They drive continuous improvement efforts to improve retention levels, applicant engagement and relationship quality. They may be responsible for community outreach functions and hosting public events on behalf of the college. The assistant director may be assigned the primary contact responsibility with local high schools, trade schools and community colleges.

A master's in higher education administration also creates career opportunities as academic advising, retention program and new student orientation directors. Other potential jobs include student conduct, faculty affairs, community outreach, student rights and diversity advocate administrators.

Related Resource: The 25 Best Online Master’s in Higher Education Administration