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Academic director vs director of student affairs

The differences between academic directors and directors of student affairs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an academic director and a director of student affairs. Additionally, an academic director has an average salary of $122,669, which is higher than the $74,804 average annual salary of a director of student affairs.

The top three skills for an academic director include professional development, curriculum development and student performance. The most important skills for a director of student affairs are student affairs, student services, and alumni.

Academic director vs director of student affairs overview

Academic DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Yearly salary$122,669$74,804
Hourly rate$58.98$35.96
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs12,42022,875
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does an academic director do?

The academic director is the person that leads the school or university in an active stance in education. The vitality of the level of education rests on the shoulders of the director. The academic director is also responsible for hiring faculty staff, working with teachers and professors to create and develop the school curriculum, work with the school administrator regarding student affairs and help in the administrative duties in line with the educational institution. Also included in the academic director's task is assessing incoming students, processing grades, and attending to students' needs and welfare.

What does a director of student affairs do?

A director of student affairs will oversee student clubs, manage student activities and budgetary information, and work with students to provide referrals for counseling and community services. Your duties typically include planning and arranging recreational, cultural, and social activities of different student groups, evaluating programs and providing recommendations for improvements, and scheduling events. As the student affairs director, it is your responsibility to organize and conduct an orientation program for new students and coordinate the publication of the student affairs calendar.

Academic director vs director of student affairs salary

Academic directors and directors of student affairs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Academic DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Average salary$122,669$74,804
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $191,000Between $44,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOregonCalifornia
Best paying companyEmory HealthcarePacifi
Best paying industryTransportationEducation

Differences between academic director and director of student affairs education

There are a few differences between an academic director and a director of student affairs in terms of educational background:

Academic DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Academic director vs director of student affairs demographics

Here are the differences between academic directors' and directors of student affairs' demographics:

Academic DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.9% Female, 52.1%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between academic director and director of student affairs duties and responsibilities

Academic director example responsibilities.

  • Manage and track individual sorority members monthly study hour requirements.
  • Devise process improvements that lead increased operational efficiency and persistence.
  • Lead project management team in development/execution of conferences and enduring CME -accredite programs.
  • Help in various fund raising activities for PTA
  • Develop and teach public lands policy seminar.
  • Provide advocacy services in attendance at local IEP meetings.
  • Show more

Director of student affairs example responsibilities.

  • Provide resources and professional development opportunities to alumni to ensure engagement and a connection to Rasmussen.
  • Develop yearly FERPA training to increase knowledge and compliance with the law.
  • Develop CRM, print, website, and social media campaigns to enhance recruitment.
  • Open new culinary school from initial build-out to include initial program design and approval.
  • Direct campus through application process, site visits, and approval for institutional ABHES accreditation.
  • Coordinate events and catering services including divisional meetings, outings, student dinners, and other VPSA events.
  • Show more

Academic director vs director of student affairs skills

Common academic director skills
  • Professional Development, 13%
  • Curriculum Development, 9%
  • Student Performance, 7%
  • Academic Programs, 7%
  • Staff Development, 6%
  • Academic Support, 5%
Common director of student affairs skills
  • Student Affairs, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • Alumni, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Student Organizations, 5%

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