Master of Science (M.S.) in Administration with a Concentration in Higher Education
(ISIS code: HE1)

This is a flexible program in the study of higher education appropriate for those who seek an introduction to the field and the academic credentials for beginning or advancing their career in higher education administration. Students can choose a leadership and administration concentration or design their own concentration in consultation with their advisor.

Requirements: (Courses are all for three (3) credits unless otherwise specified)

Master’ Core (3 credits total)
ED 406: Master’s Research Methods

Specialization Courses (21 credit total)
ED 475: Leadership and Management in Higher Education
EDU 576: Contemporary Issues in Higher Education

Choose at least two (2) of the following courses designed to provide foundational knowledge in important areas within higher education (courses marked with an asterisk have been designed for doctoral students, but are open to MS students ready and willing):
ED 436: How Universities Work
ED 437: Diversity and Equity in Higher Education
EDU 446: Entrepreneurial Skills for Educators
*ED 430: College Retention: Theory, Research and Practice
*EDU 490: Higher Education Law
*EDU 492: Governance, Policy and Administration of Higher Education
*EDU 493: History of Higher Education
*EDU 496: Fiscal Issues in Higher Education

Choose at least one (1) of the following courses designed to provide practical knowledge and skills that can be useful to leaders and administrators in higher education settings as well as other helping professionals:
ED 483: Communication and Counseling Skills for Teachers, Administrators, and Other Helping Professionals
EDU 416: Conflict Management in Schools and Universities
ED 432: Professional Writing and Communication
EDU 447: Grant-writing and Other Funding Strategies for Educators
*ED 515: Decision-Making for Educational Leaders I: Analyzing Problems in Schools and Universities

Choose at least two (2) of the following courses designed to provide knowledge and skills specific to various career options within higher education administration:
ED 479: Human Resources Management in Higher Education
ED 482: Technology and Higher Education
ED 476: Administration of Student Affairs in Higher Education
ED 433: Student Affairs Administration: Admissions and Financial Aid
ED 434: Student Affairs Administration: Minority Student Affairs
ED 467: Student Affairs Administration: International Student Affairs
ED 484: Student Affairs Administration: Residential Life
ED 413: Student Affairs Administration: Academic Support Services

Electives (9 credits)
Choose three additional electives for a total of nine (9) credits. Possible courses include, but are not limited to, all the courses already listed above as well as the following ones:
ED 411: Philosophy of Education
ED 420: Learning and Assessment in Higher Education
ED 428: Ethics of Education
ED 486: Curricular Innovations in Higher Education
ED 485: College Students and Student Development Theory

Internships (Variable Credits):
EDF 497: Supervised Internship in Higher Education

Additional Requirement:
Complete a Culminating Exam or Master’s Paper (no additional credits)

Go to Educational Leadership Department Course Listings.