Head of higher education institutions

About this occupation

Heads of higher education institutions manage the day-to-day activities of a higher education institution, such as a college or vocational school. Heads of higher education institutions make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, the school's budget, campus programmes and oversee the communication between departments. They also ensure the institution meets the national education requirements set by law.

A specialisation of headteacher.

• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavior or learning problems.
• Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement.
• Determine the scope of educational program offerings, and prepare drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
• Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Social, Enterprising, Conventional

Top skills: Active Listening, Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Writing

US median pay: US$105,870 a year (2025), 328,330 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.2)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
• PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.3)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.2)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
• Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.0)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.