Master of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education Administration
Mission Statement
The M.S. degree program in Higher Education Administration is a 36 semester hour program designed for individuals already in the field of higher education, as well as for those who wish to explore this career option. The course of study prepares individuals for academic support positions in the field of higher education at the entry and mid-management level (e.g., professional positions in Academic Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Activities, Residential Life, Adult and Continuing Education) and specific federal, state, and/or local-level funded programs in community colleges and universities. Through the various courses, students will be introduced to the areas of research, management, organizational theory, and human behavior that will prepare them to deal with issues facing practitioners in the field.
Program Goals
The Master of Science in Higher Education Administration focuses on key competencies for academic support positions in the field of higher education at the entry and mid-management level including:
- Individual, group, and organizational learning for professional positions in Academic Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Activities, Residential Life, Adult and Continuing Education;
- Ability to understand specific federal, state, and/or local-level funded programs in community colleges and universities; and
- Is 36 credits and is designed to meet needs of a working professional.
Student Learner Outcomes
Following completion of the Master of Science Degree in Higher Education Administration, graduates will have acquired the ability to:
- Project societal and political trends for the future of higher education and make necessary administrative decisions based upon this knowledge;
- Apply human relations and leadership skills in diagnosing and resolving conflict within the institution;
- Use effective communication skills in diagnosing and resolving conflict within the institution;
- Analyze major organizational models in order to choose structures and procedures appropriate to higher education organizations;
- Apply appropriate change models to higher educational institutional settings;
- Design appropriate research methodologies to administrative issues; and
- Understand the role higher education has played, continues to play, and will play in American society.
Note:
- Work experience in postsecondary institutions is not a requirement for admission into the program of study.
- Courses need not be taken in a specific sequence except for the HED-645/Practicum in Higher Educational as noted under “Core Courses.”
- Students with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of less than 3.0 (B) must have an acceptable and recent score on the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination for consideration and/or admission into the program of study.
Master of Science (36 credits)
Required Core Courses (12 credits)
Specialization Courses (15 credits)
| HED-626 | HISTORY OF HIGHER EDUCATION | 3 |
| HED-601 | CURRENT ISSUES HIGHER ED | 3 |
| HED-630 | LEGAL ISSUES & COLLEGE STUDENT | 3 |
| HED-634 | ADMINISTRATION HIGHER ED | 3 |
| HED-646 | DIVERSITY & COLLEGE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
Electives (9 credits)
Students are to select three courses from the following list; however, at the discretion of the advisors, other courses may be identified
Ed.D in Organizational Leadership/HED Specialization Program
For information on the Higher Education Administration specialization of the Ed.D Program in Organizational Leadership, see the Organizational Leadership Programs section.