Higher Education Specialization, M.Ed.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Samantha Silberstein

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 that identifies a current issue in higher education and discusses connections between candidate’s professional goals and the issue selected.
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)

EDL 523 - Research in Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 550 - Foundations of Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 551 - Student Development Theory Credit Hours: 3
EDL 552 - Critical Issues in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 553 - Evaluation and Assessment in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 555 - Legal and Policy Issues in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 558 - Social Justice Topics in Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 560 - Introduction to Higher Education Practice Credit Hours: 3
EDL 596 - Culminating Project I Credit Hours: 3
and
EDL 597 - Culminating Project II Credit Hours: 3
Or
EDL 599 - Thesis II Credit Hours: 3

Electives (6 credit hours)

Students will take a set of elective courses at the 500 level (or above) that focus on areas related to their professional interest areas. These courses will be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Exit Requirements

All students must take and pass EDL 596 and either EDL 597 or EDL 599 .
All students must complete either the culminating project or a thesis. In the thesis option, students must submit thesis to the Graduate School.
All students must defend either the culminating project or thesis.
All students must successfully complete at least one Certified Internship Program (CIP).