Voice of a Seasoned Professional

Over the past several decades, the higher education field has experienced a shift in degree preference and requirements for positions in student affairs and related fields. Entry-level positions now typically require or strongly prefer a master’s degree, while senior-level positions have similar expectations for a terminal degree. This adjustment may be correlated to several recent changes in higher education: enrollment challenges, expanded student demographics, expectations of services and amenities, and a saturation of individuals with more credentials entering the higher education field.

It’s no secret that many institutions nationwide are negatively impacted by the enrollment cliff; some institutions have even closed their doors or merged with local colleges. The significant decline in applications and enrollment has devastating impacts requiring higher education expertise. Many presidents and vice presidents may see the industry knowledge, data analysis, and strategy skills learned during a PhD or EdD program as a necessary competency to address the crisis creatively.