Online degrees in higher education

Students interested in higher education administration often pursue Master of Education (Ed.M.) degrees while students interested in research or who have ambitions to earn a doctorate in higher education often pursue Master of Science degrees. Doctoral degrees generally focus on higher education administration, policy or executive leadership. The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree can further professional training or scholarly study in higher education, while the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) has a research focus. The educational path to become college professor varies by discipline, but usually follows a pattern of bachelor's to master's to doctorate in the specific discipline.

According to a University of Iowa survey, higher education administration professionals need a strong commitment to excellence in education and an understanding of best teaching practices. In answer to the question, "What's the most important trait for a college instructor/professor?" an informal online student poll at Columbus State reported that 43.44 percent of the students who answered favored teaching/people skills and 30.33 percent said that a passion for the subject was most important.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that job growth of 15 percent is expected for higher education teachers between 2008 and 2018; job prospects for higher education administrators are not as bright with only 2 percent growth expected. However, a May 2011 news release from HigherEdJobs reports that "Advertisements for job openings in higher education rose 40.2 percent in the first quarter of 2011 from a year earlier and even exceeded pre-recession levels."

Salaries for both higher education administrators and faculty vary based on type of institution, geographical area and, for faculty, academic discipline. The BLS reported that post-secondary administrators earned mean annual wages of $96,680 in 2010.

No Refuge: The annual report on the economic status of the profession 2009-10, conducted by the American Association of University Professors, provides more detailed faculty salary information. Information is based on 2009-10 average salaries at both public and private post-secondary institutions:

• Professors with doctoral degrees earned an average salary of $125,300
• Assistant professors with doctoral degrees earned an average of $71,485
• Professors with master's degrees had an average salary of $91,508
• Assistant professors with master's degrees earned $60,381
• Private schools paid their professors about 24 percent more than public institutions

It's clear from these salary statistics that more education is likely to qualify individuals for significantly more money. Higher education careers demand higher education degrees to be competitive.

• Education: A master's degree or doctorate is required for most positions within higher education.
• Salaries: In 2009-10, professors (with doctorates) earned salary plus compensation of $157,702; professors with master's degrees earned 36 percent less.
• Gender: Male professors earned approximately 10 percent more than their female counterparts in public institutions and 8 percent more in private institutions.