Higher Education Specialization, M.Ed.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) with specialization in Higher Education is designed for people who wish to enter or advance in administrative and/or academic support roles in colleges and universities. It provides social, historical, philosophical, developmental, and international perspectives of postsecondary education. The program supports the Watson College of Education Conceptual Framework of developing highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles. The program has been designed in accordance with the Council for the Advancement and Standards in Higher Education (CAS Standards).

Program graduates typically work in functional areas such as academic advising, admissions, career services, financial aid, judicial affairs, alumni relations, athletics, multicultural affairs, residence life, and student activities.

Admission Requirements

Official copies of transcripts from each institution attended (graduate and undergraduate).
An undergraduate grade average of “B” (GPA = 3.0) or better is recommended.
Three recommendations from individuals who can attest to the qualifications of the applicant for admission to this program.
A personal statement describing leadership experience or explanation of interest in higher education.
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Degree Requirements (36 total credit hours)

The M.Ed. with specialization in Higher Education requires a minimum of 36 credit hours including electives that are selected from course offerings in Educational Leadership and other disciplines. The program requires students to engage in supervised professional practice, which provides the opportunity to connect theory to practice while working in a community college or university administrative or student support office or program.

Core Courses (30 credit hours required)

EDL 550 - Foundations of Higher Education Credits: 3
EDL 551 - Student Development Theory Credits: 3
EDL 552 - Critical Issues in Higher Education Credits: 3
EDL 553 - Evaluation and Assessment in Higher Education Credits: 3
EDL 555 - Legal Issues in Higher Education Credits: 3
EDL 556 - Technology in Higher Education Leadership Credits: 3
EDL 558 - Social Justice Topics in Education Credits: 3
EDL 560 - Reflective Practice Credits: 3
EDL 596 - Culminating Project I Credits: 3
EDL 597 - Culminating Project II Credits: 3
Or
EDL 599 - Thesis II Credits: 3

Electives (6 credit hours required)

500 level (or above) courses selected in consultation with advisor from designations such as:

EDL 523 - Research in Education Credits: 3
EDL 554 - Leadership Theory and Behavior Credits: 3
EDL 557 - Community College Administrators Credits: 3

Exit Requirement

All students must complete either a culminating project or a thesis. All students must take and pass EDL 596 and either EDL 597 or EDL 599 . All students must defend either the culminating project or thesis. In the thesis option, students must submit thesis to the Graduate School.