Online degrees in higher education prepare students for educational administration positions in community colleges, universities, or other adult education settings. Students in online higher education degree programs will take courses that cover administrative topics such as higher education governance and campus operations, and education topics such as adult education and instructional design.
Degrees in higher education can be geared toward those who simply want to work with college students or in a college setting, but also often come with concentrations or specializations that allow students to further customize their degree program and choose which part college setting they may want to work in. Specializations include adult education, community college administration, enrollment management, education policy, learning technology and instructional design, online teaching, and student development and affairs.
Higher education online degrees differ from other education degrees because unlike most education degrees, they focus specifically on adult learners and administering adult education. While some coursework will focus on teaching and learning and the challenges adult students face, many others will focus on the management of adult education, from the campus level to the state and national levels. Students who earn higher education degrees can work in campus life, housing, admissions, career centers, alumni relations, financial aid, advising, adult education, instructional design, or any number of on-campus departments.
The skills that students learn in online higher education courses can be applied to working in more than just campus settings. Graduates may also be interested in careers in management, non-profit development, or education think-tanks.