The MS in Higher Education Administration program helps prepare students for innovative and socially responsible roles as professional practitioners within higher education. Students gain knowledge of the systems, structures, and practices within higher education that is necessary to meet the growing challenges in the field.

General Track (36-39 hours)

This track consists of two options:

• Thesis (39 credit hours): This path is for those seeking upward mobility within the field of higher education in either student or academic affairs and those seeking to further their academic research skills in preparation for doctoral study. Students who choose this path are required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis research. The thesis option will require successful completion of the thesis defense.
• Non-Thesis (36 credit hours): This path requires students to complete a practicum and comprehensive exam successfully. It is designed to give students a foundation in education research while focusing on content relevant to those who wish to work or are currently working in academic or student affairs. This general option allows students to elect to complete a practicum course and submit an experiential project to complete degree requirements. All practicum students may select from the following options:
  • An administrative practicum in an area of interest.
  • An experiential practicum focused on preparation for a national or regional conference.
  • A written practicum focused on publication.
  • A personalized practicum with your faculty advisor. 

Academic Advising Track (36 hours)

This track is a non-thesis option consisting of 36 credit hours, successful completion of a practicum, and a comprehensive exam. It is designed to give students a foundation in academic advising competencies required for the administration of academic advising within higher education. Students gain valuable knowledge on advancing academic advising practices, creating their own personalized advising philosophy, developing assessment skills, and gaining applicable knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and how to create a sense of belonging to support all students. Special attention will be given to work related to supporting students who identify within marginalized and minoritized populations. This track option allows students to complete a practicum course and submit an experiential project to complete degree requirements. All practicum students may select from the following options:

• An administrative practicum in an area of interest.
• An experiential practicum focused on preparation for a national or regional conference.
• A written practicum focused on publication.
• A personalized practicum with your faculty advisor.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy (DEIA) Track

This track is a non-thesis option consisting of 36 credit hours, successful completion of a practicum, and a comprehensive exam. The DEIA track fills much-needed gaps in preparing future DEI professionals within higher education and the corporate world. It is designed to provide learners with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies associated with advancing personal, social, and cultural initiatives to combat interpersonal and systemic inequities and foster cultures of inclusion and justice. Learners will display their knowledge of and ability to apply desirable competencies within, yet not limited to, post-secondary education institutions, civic engagement, nonprofit and politically minded organizations, health care providers, and the business and industry sectors.

The purpose of the Higher Education Administration Graduate Certificate is to prepare current and future professionals with the knowledge base necessary to be successful within their current positions within higher education, as an avenue for work-related advancement and promotion, and/or enrollment in a future degree-seeking graduate program in Higher Education.

Through this five-course program (15 credit hours), current and future higher education professionals will develop the critical skills necessary to support their programs, departments and institutions, and students. It will prepare certificate-seekers with competency in areas such as the following:

• Organization, culture, diversity, and history of higher education.
• Governance, structure, and management of higher education institutions.
• Research, theoretical, and practical issues surrounding access to college and equity in higher education.
• Critical support systems within higher education that promote student success.