How to Become a Dean?

Are you thinking of becoming a Dean or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Dean, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Dean job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Dean

If you're considering starting your Dean career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Dean and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Dean career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Dean career path, a Graduate Degree in education or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Dean internship may be required to earn your Graduate Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Dean, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Dean field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Dean specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Dean

Once you've acquired a Graduate Degree in education or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Dean. In general, you can become a Dean after completing your 2 year Graduate Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Dean role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified nonteaching.
4

Advance in Your Dean Career

Following entry-level, there are several Dean career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Dean to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Dean position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Dean career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Dean career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Dean Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Dean career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in education can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $183,251 compared to $53,772 for those without that type of degree.

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Related Careers in the Education Industry

Interested in other Education careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Dean skills. Discover some of the most common Dean career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Department Chair
0% skills overlap
6% transitioned to Department Chair