1 Academic Career Development for Non‐traditional Higher Education Environments Dustin Bessette & Sharon L. Burton Abstract: Current American doctoral education does not serve the current needs of today’s academic society. Many industries are becoming more involved in the non‐ traditional education with regards to its flexibility, increased career navigation, and performance of function. Current demands show that academic doctoral degrees are serving as a valid educational tools based that education can be taught in a wide variety of platforms and can also become adapted by many universities. With universities and colleges increasing the non‐traditional enrollment, the job market tends to become much more competitive. There is currently been a declining rate of tenure‐track careers in the higher educational field. This low number of tenure‐track careers is the reason why the higher education field and the status of enrollment towards non‐traditional doctorates are increasing. The affects result in a continuously slow lag in steady employment for graduate students. The end result forces doctors and graduates to competitively apply against one another. Keywords: Non‐traditional education, doctoral degrees, career development Introduction The need for transition in a molding higher education platform is based on career needs from major organizations, businesses, and companies. Garrison & Arbaugh (2007) reclaimed that higher education has consistently viewed community as essential to support collaborative learning and discourse associated with higher levels of learning (Garrison & Arbaugh, 2007). Higher education alone is not the answer for all business problems, but it is the solution for businesses problems that persist primarily based on experience and cognitive skills. Education can be looked as a simple solvent that is competitively used for accelerating the readiness of professionals based on learning experiences that add value to the workplace. This education is also acquired through a community of peers based on the needs of the society. Societies and communities are fully ready to develop and keen in on the skills needed for business success. The communities voice holds merit and value, as it is important for the overall change in how education is acquired in the workplace.