Department chairperson vs student dean

The differences between department chairpeople and student deans can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a department chairperson and a student dean. Additionally, a department chairperson has an average salary of $98,438, which is higher than the $59,497 average annual salary of a student dean.

The top three skills for a department chairperson include curriculum development, professional development and classroom management. The most important skills for a student dean are behavior issues, staff development, and crisis intervention.

Department chairperson vs student dean overview

	Department Chairperson	Student Dean
Yearly salary	$98,438	$59,497
Hourly rate	$47.33	$28.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	33,511	10,422
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department chairperson do?

A Department Chairperson is a faculty member who provides academic and administrative leadership to an academic department. They exercise leadership in recruiting and retaining capable faculty, communicate departmental needs and desires to the Dean and Provost, and coordinate the academic advisement process.

What does a student dean do?

A Student Dean is focused on responding to students' needs at a college or university. They plan and direct university activities related to student services and campus life.

Department chairperson vs student dean salary

Department chairpeople and student deans have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Chairperson	Student Dean
Average salary	$98,438	$59,497
Salary range	Between $50,000 And $191,000	Between $32,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Marshall University	Dawson School
Best paying industry	Finance	Education

Differences between department chairperson and student dean education

There are a few differences between a department chairperson and a student dean in terms of educational background:

	Department Chairperson	Student Dean
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Education	Educational Leadership
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Department chairperson vs student dean demographics

Here are the differences between department chairpeople' and student deans' demographics:

	Department Chairperson	Student Dean
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between department chairperson and student dean duties and responsibilities

Department chairperson example responsibilities.

Manage the club's Facebook/Twitter accounts.
Lead meetings with ESL department teachers in which teachers collaborate on unit plan ideas, classroom strategies and student needs.
Manage the development of an alumni newsletter and coordinate with alumni to provide relevant content.
Manage both individual and organizational achievements for the members through involvement with the community, philanthropies, campus involvement, and scholarship
Negotiate and obtain clinical sites for PN and ADN programs.
Develop and deliver dynamic, rigorous lessons for high school economics classes.

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Student dean example responsibilities.

Implement recruitment efforts with local schools and colleges.
Assist with tours of various HBCU and non-HBCU colleges and universities.
Foster a positive school culture through oversight of social activities including talent shows, prep rallies and community meetings.
Provide comprehensive oversight and direction.
Foster positive campus climate for very diverse student population.
Work cooperatively with other administrators to promote student success and a positive campus climate.

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Department chairperson vs student dean skills

Common department chairperson skills

Curriculum Development, 15%
Professional Development, 14%
Classroom Management, 13%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Student Learning, 5%
Colleges, 4%

Common student dean skills

Behavior Issues, 9%
Staff Development, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Student Achievement, 5%
Progress Monitoring, 5%
Student Services, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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