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Director of distance learning vs dean

The differences between directors of distance learning and 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 director of distance learning and a dean. Additionally, a director of distance learning has an average salary of $88,059, which is higher than the $86,318 average annual salary of a dean.

The top three skills for a director of distance learning include english language, technical assistance and technical support. The most important skills for a dean are curriculum development, oversight, and scholarship.

Director of distance learning vs dean overview

Director Of Distance LearningDean
Yearly salary$88,059$86,318
Hourly rate$42.34$41.50
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs22,2321,183
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a director of distance learning do?

A director of distance learning oversees the development and implementation of a college or university's distance learning programs. They take the lead in conducting research to develop learning programs, establishing curricula and teaching materials, utilizing asynchronous learning modules and interactive media, and supervising the recruitment of the workforce. They are also in charge of setting goals and guidelines, arranging workshops and other services, coordinating staff, and monitoring operations, solving issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a director of distance learning leads educators and staff to reach goals and implements the institution's policies and regulations.

What does a dean do?

A dean is responsible for overseeing the educational operations of the assigned department, enforcing school policies, and monitoring the students' progress by coordinating with the teachers and setting up procedures to improve teaching methods. Deans administer educational training and programs for the students, as well as extra-curricular activities to develop the students' social behavior, maximize their potentials, and increase their self-confidence. They also handle the department's budget, accurately allocating resources and funds to different activities and educational materials.

Director of distance learning vs dean salary

Directors of distance learning and deans have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of Distance LearningDean
Average salary$88,059$86,318
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $154,000Between $49,000 And $150,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALos Altos, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyAARPPalmer College of Chiropractic
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between director of distance learning and dean education

There are a few differences between a director of distance learning and a dean in terms of educational background:

Director Of Distance LearningDean
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Director of distance learning vs dean demographics

Here are the differences between directors of distance learning' and deans' demographics:

Director Of Distance LearningDean
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 44.6% Female, 55.4%Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between director of distance learning and dean duties and responsibilities

Director of distance learning example responsibilities.

  • Manage and deliver an influential distance learning program utilizing a professional videoconferencing studio.
  • Collaborate in developing the organization's constitution, syllabus and lesson plans.
  • Provide general leadership and oversight for e-learning and e-learning support projects; develop faculty workshops, assessments, and improvement strategies.
  • Trouble shoot and shoot and up keep of computers and A/V n system.
  • Create, design and implement production of courses with professors and post online through Prometheus.
  • Conduct quarterly train-the-trainer in-services with all instructors.

Dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Develop funding split or co-fund project collaborations across colleges.
  • Deliver oversight and management of student behavior and attendance compliance.
  • Build partnerships with community colleges and universities for student opportunities.
  • Provide leadership for instructional programming and oversight for the operations of the agriculture, energy and sustainability areas.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Show more

Director of distance learning vs dean skills

Common director of distance learning skills
  • English Language, 18%
  • Technical Assistance, 18%
  • Technical Support, 18%
  • Strategic Plan, 8%
  • Instructional Design, 5%
  • Needs Assessment, 5%
Common dean skills
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Scholarship, 7%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Strategic Plan, 5%
  • Colleges, 5%

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