The Higher Education Administration Program prepares college and university leaders to shape organizational goals, influence the character of educational programs and to affect institutional performance. Professional management skills are developed as they relate to larger issues of educational mission and purpose. Coursework includes educational foundations, administration, curriculum, student development, history, law, student services, finance, and clinical inquiry and experiences as a means to enhance educational leader performance. The program is designed around criteria of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) and with recognized thought of scholars in the various areas of higher education administration.

Admission Criteria/Standards

Applicants for the master’s degree in higher education administration must first be admitted or approved by the Graduate School. Specific Graduate School admission information and criteria can be found in the Graduate Bulletin online. Applications for admission to the Graduate School should be submitted directly to the Graduate School. Application and other pertinent information can be found at the Graduate School homepage. An official transcript from each college or university attended must also be received by the Graduate School before the application will be processed. This applies to the complete academic record, both undergraduate and graduate. Transcripts should be sent from the institutions attended directly to the Graduate School.

Admission Criteria for Master’s in Higher Education Administration:

• Completed application to Graduate School (with official transcripts) as indicated above
• 2.75 GPA – Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or 3.00 GPA for the last two years (64 semester credits or equivalent) for Full Admission. (Provisional Admission may be granted for a student who has not met all the requirements for full admission but has a 2.74 – 2.50 GPA overall or 2.75 GPA over the last two years. Provisional status would allow a student to take up to 9 semester credits of graduate coursework. Graduate courses taken under this admission status may be applied to a graduate degree program, but only when all requirements for full admission have been met.)

The demand for qualified administrators in higher education is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2012 (Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 10/8/04). Further, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that prospects will be especially encouraging for individuals seeking non-academic (administrative) positions. Although many higher education institutions may experience funding cuts, increasing enrollments will merit retirement replacements and additional new administrative hires. Prospects are especially bright for the less prestigious academic positions such as director of admissions or student affairs (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm. Retrieved 10/8/04). The Higher Education Administration Program in the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership prepares students for careers such as these and attracts to our program students with such interests.

Placement Objectives for Graduates

Graduates of the higher education administration program can find employment in many areas of administration including student affairs/student services, student life, admissions, registrar’s office, international student services, career services, health and counseling services, financial aid, housing/residence life, public relations, athletics, and development. Graduates may select a public or private higher education environment, and their academic background provides a broad theoretical basis for professional development.

Additional Information and Links

Higher Education Administration Course of Study

Higher Education Administration Program Details