Best Master’s in Higher Education Degrees

Overview

The Master’s in Higher Education at Harvard University is an exceptional value, allowing students to complete a degree at a top Ivy League institution in less than one year of full-time study. This program features distinguished presidents-in-residence, who work alongside graduate students and anchor their discussions and studies. These discussions are supported by real-world experiences. Students are also supported by close-knit mentorship opportunities and an involved cohort program design.

Program Features

Within their cohorts, students have the opportunity to study alongside students with varied interests and backgrounds. The curriculum of this program is grounded in reality, exposing students to actual policies and practices of American colleges. Engaging in activities such as debates, case studies, and role-playing experiences gives students the opportunity to develop as leaders in the field. Students will take classes such as:

• The History of American Higher Education
• The Economics of Higher Education: Access, Outcomes, and Competition
• Education Sector Nonprofits
• Leadership in Social Change Organizations

Notables

Most students in this program will participate in paid internships either on-campus or at nearby nonprofits, universities, and colleges. Interns earn course credit as well as valuable work experience. Upon graduation, students are connected to a profound alumni network. This network helps students solve field-related problems after graduation, as well as to network for potential career and fellowship opportunities.

Overview

The University of California Los Angeles features both a Master of Arts and a PhD program in Higher Education and Organizational Change. This program exposes students to a broad understanding of all of the elements surrounding higher education, including those that are cultural, political, social, philosophical, and historical in nature.

Program Features

Students at the University of California Los Angeles are supported by the activities of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program, which conducts national longitudinal studies of the American Higher education system. Students in graduate studies have the opportunity to work with the institute as they collect data on over 1,900 institutions throughout the country. In addition to this exceptional hands-on experience, required classes include:

• Research and Evaluation in Higher Education
• Computer Analyses of Empirical Data in Education
• Fundamentals of U.S. Higher Education System
• Organizational Analysis of Higher Education

Notables

The Department of Education at the University of California Los Angeles is ranked the best graduate school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. This is primarily due to the university’s emphasis on urban education and the development of teachers as leaders. All education programs at the university underscore the importance of developing twenty-first-century skills in both teachers as well as the students they ultimately serve.

Overview

The Higher Education program at the University of Pennsylvania is designed for graduate students who are in the early stages of their careers. This full-time program features internship and graduate assistantship opportunities to help students acquire a more detailed, hands-on knowledge about the discipline in a more practical environment. Most students will complete about 15 to 20 hours each week of internship experiences. These internships often help students offset the expenses of graduate study.

Program Features

This program, which must be started in the fall, consists of 10-course units of study. All courses are reading and writing intensive, but also include powerful discussion-based seminars, project-based learning, case-studies, and work-based endeavors. While each student’s schedule will vary, a sample schedule might include:

• Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
• Faculty and Academic Governance
• History of American Higher Education
• Higher Education in American Society

Notables

The Graduate School of Education at Penn State produces talented graduates by offering a faculty of 40 tenured and tenure-track faculty, all of whom are experienced in their field and with conducting educational research. This small school, with just under 1,300 students, benefits from a close-knit student-to-faculty ratio but also from the university’s emphasis on large-scale research and practice. As a result, the school is ranked fourth in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Overview

The Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt is designed for students seeking professional roles in state education agencies, nonprofits, or academics. This program seamlessly incorporates real-world experiences with integrated coursework, helping students gain expertise in the three areas crucial for aspiring professionals: student affairs, general administration and policy, and enrollment management.

Program Features

Students may choose from any of the three aforementioned specialty areas as they design their studies. Thirty-six total credit hours are required. A variety of classes are offered at the university, including:

• College and University Management
• Nature and Function of Higher Education
• Practice of Student Affairs
• Theory of Student Affairs

Notables

This program is top-ranked for its exceptional career services, as well as its outstanding academic rigor. Within four months of graduation, 96 percent of program graduates were either employed or receiving further education. Students are granted several opportunities to put research and theory into practice. Graduate assistantships are offered at Vanderbilt and within nearby educational and governmental organizations. Finally, many students will complete internships in the summer between the first and second year of the program. These allow students to gain crucial work experience and to develop professional skills and knowledge.

Overview

Graduates from the University of Southern California’s Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs are a diverse bunch, working in a variety of sectors. Alumni are located all over the country in settings such as public research universities, liberal arts colleges, for-profit institutions, and more, engaged in all aspects of student life at those institutions. This program emphasizes all aspects of higher education, including administration, student affairs, advising, admissions, and athletics.

Program Features

The curriculum within this program is based upon the most recent, most advanced research in the world. Students are taught by faculty with extensive experience in educational settings, all of whom provide exceptional mentoring and guidance throughout each student’s academic career. Students will take classes such as:

• Creating Communities of Interest
• Foundations of Higher, Adult, and Professional Education
• Student Affairs Work in College
• Student Development in Higher Education

Notables

Students at the University of Southern California benefit from a variety of student-led organizations. The university offers tailored activities and clubs, such as Graduate Student Government and Rossier Student Organization. Rossier was developed to allow graduate students to exchange ideas and plan student activities. The university also sponsors groups such as MAT connect, Educators for Queer Alliance, and TESOL/TEFL Society to help students stay connected and form valuable networks while on campus.

Overview

The diverse, interactive program in Higher Education at the University of Michigan allows students to combine their theoretical, academic knowledge with hands-on experiences. The program incorporates significant collaboration among faculty, administration, and students to provide a holistic understanding of higher education. This program is highly flexible, allowing students to explore areas of specialized interest and inquiry.

Program Features

This program is designed with the full-time student in mind. IT takes roughly a year and a half to complete, with an accelerated pace available. An integral component of this program is its emphasis on a two-term internship. This internship is chosen by each individual student and is tailored to their personal goals and interests. Besides the internship, required classes include:

• History of Postsecondary Education
• Foundations for Student Affairs Educators
• Institutional Advancement and Development in Higher Education
• Academic Affairs and Student Development in Postsecondary Education

Notables

With over 65 tenure and tenure-track faculty members, this university leads the way in providing top-notch experiential education. The School of Education at the University of Michigan is one of the best in the country, with a reputation that exceeds that of any other public university. The school is ranked second in regards to its peer reputation and effectiveness of instruction and is also highly ranked with regards to its higher education administration programs and teaching programs in particular.

Overview

The Higher Education program at the University of Maryland, College Park exists as an area of concentration within the Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education program at the university. This program is nationally recognized and prepares students for high-level leadership positions at institutions and policy organizations around the country. Graduates are successful alumni, working as mid- and senior-level administrators, policymakers, and research analysts.

Program Features

Thirty-six credit hours are required, including coursework in core requirements, electives, and research methods. Each student is also required to participate in an internship. Most students complete their studies in less than two years, working throughout their studies with a personal advisor to develop a customized program of study. A sample schedule might include:

• Higher Education and Society
• The Academic Profession
• Higher Education Finance
• State-Level Higher Education Research

Notables

Most students complete internships while enrolled in their studies. These internships frequently take place at federal government agencies, advocacy organizations, and public policy think tanks in the capital region. Students have received respectable, paid internships that build upon their coursework and allow them to make vital connections to what they are learning in class. On-campus assistantships are also available that help students gain experience while financing their education.

Overview

The Master of Education in Higher Education at the University of Virginia is offered both full- and part-time. It combines practical application of skills with a robust theoretical framework, allowing students to work in student affairs, general or athletic administration, or policy-making upon graduation. Students may tailor their studies according to their individual plans, allowing them to adapt to any challenge presented by working in a higher education setting.

Program Features

Students are required to complete professional internships in specialized functional areas. This allows them to develop personal professional philosophies and career goals, as well as to allow them to network with professional and service organizations. In addition to internships, students will take classes such as:

• Economics and Finance in Higher Education
• Research in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and Intercollegiate Athletics
• Organization and Governance in Higher Education
• College Student Experience

Notables

This program is unique in that it is one of the few that can be completed in less than a year. It provides three emphasis areas: Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education, Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, and Higher Education Administration. These concentrations allow students to hone their skills and develop their interests in a specialty, giving them the ability to grow professionally and personally. Significant financial aid is available in the form of grants, work-study, and internships.

Overview

The University of Florida’s Student Personnel in Higher Education program is offered in a full-time, on-campus setting, as well as part-time online. It integrates theoretical underpinnings with practice-based experiences. While the on-campus program is designed for graduate students seeking a more intimate, networking-based experience with student affairs professionals, the online program is suitable for those students who are already working in student affairs and are seeking to maintain their current employment.

Program Features

The on-campus program includes nine credit-hours of supervised internship and practicum experiences. Students in this program study within a cohort, providing each other with support and community. Assistantships are available for this program. The University of Florida’s higher education program offers classes such as:

• Theory of College Student Development
• Diversity Issues in Higher Education
• Educational Outcomes of American Colleges and Universities
• History of American Higher Education

Notables

The online program at the University of Florida is ranked one of the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report. It gives students the ability to obtain an advanced degree without needing to leave their current employment. On the other hand, on-campus students have exceptional opportunities to interact with campus resources, boosting their confidence and leadership skills. The university is home to the Student Personnel Association, a prominent campus organization whose goal is to foster personal and professional relationships in higher education. This group hosts visitation days, facilitates workshops, and develops social events.

Overview

The Higher Education and Student Affairs program at The Ohio State University is one of the most preeminent in the country. The program is founded on research and practice and taught by renowned faculty who produce some of the most distinguished academic leaders. This tradition is carried on by successful alumni who are senior leaders in the field and maintain close connections to the university. The curriculum emphasizes research and professional development, giving students the opportunity to collaborate and learn with like-minded graduate students.

Program Features

A wide variety of courses are available, exposing students to law, policy, organizational theory, and student development materials. Students will take classes such as:

• Introduction to Educational Research
• College Student Development
• Higher Education Institutions and Core Academic Issues
• Interaction of Student and Environments

Notables

This program is one-of-a-kind in that it allows students to conduct significant on-campus research surrounding higher education topics. Students will explore areas such as identity development, service-learning, and organizational theory, giving them the academic background necessary to inspire future innovation in the higher education setting. In addition to the master’s program, the university also offers a minor in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies, a Student Personnel Assistantship program, a Doctor of Education in Educational Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies.