Higher Education

Study in the field of Education is not uncommon hence it is not surprising that many universities offer this course but what is interesting to see is the range of specializations and focus varying across universities.

Syracuse University offers an MS in Higher Education which teaches “broader policies and understanding of institutions of postsecondary education”. (https://soe.syr.edu/admissions/graduate/masters/higher-education/) Temple University has an MEd in Higher Education which focuses on areas such as “access to postsecondary education, changes necessary to meet state and federal college completion goals, equity in student higher education outcomes, and urban educational issues”. (https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/higher-education-med-ed-hied-med) University of Houston has an M.Ed. in Higher Education which addresses “critical issues impacting college students and postsecondary institutions, and emphasizes the connection between theory and practice.” (https://uh.edu/education/degree-programs/higher-ed-m/) Penn GSE, University of Pennsylvania runs an MS Ed in Higher Education which highlights “how the enterprise of higher education is structured, governed, financed, and managed.” (https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/programs/higher-education-masters) University of Oslo has a Master of Higher Education which emphasizes “change processes related to quality development in higher education.” (https://www.uio.no/english/studies/programmes/higher-education-master/) UF College of Education has a master’s program in Higher Education which teaches “counseling skills, student development theory, higher education law, assessment, and finance.” (https://education.ufl.edu/higher-education/)

University of Virginia has an MEd in Higher Education which focuses on the “integration of theoretical foundations, principles of practice, and reflective professional experiences.” (https://education.virginia.edu/academics/programs/higher-education-med-master-education) Boston College runs an MA in Higher Education which imparts learning “about today’s higher education landscape, a sharper understanding of specific elements within the field, and the opportunity to put theory into practice and apply your skills in real-world settings.” (https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/lynch-school/academics/departments/elhe/ma-higher-education.html) Georgetown University, School of Continuing Studies has Master’s in Higher Education Administration which teaches “practical, applied knowledge needed to transition into roles of increasing responsibility within the field of higher education.” (https://scs.georgetown.edu/programs/448/master-of-professional-studies-in-higher-education-administration/)

Some universities educate students about the historical, theoretical and philosophical aspect in higher education field and also how to implement it in the practice such as The University of British Columbia has an M.Ed. in Higher Education which focuses “The multifaceted, interdisciplinary program draws on aspects of history, philosophy, sociology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, law, and administrative studies.” (https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/master-of-education-higher-education) University of North Texas has an M.Ed. in Higher Education which emphasizes on “historical, theoretical and philosophical aspects of the field and learning how to apply these aspects in practice.” (https://www.unt.edu/academics/grad/higher-education-masters) University of Oxford runs an MSc in Education (Higher Education) which gives “critical introduction to research, theory, and policy in this complex field, taking into account a range of national, international and global lenses.” (https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-education-higher-education) Indiana University Bloomington has an M.S. Ed. Higher Education and Student Affairs which deals with “knowledge, skills, competencies, and philosophy required for exemplary professional practice”. (https://education.indiana.edu/programs/graduate/masters/higher-education-and-student-affairs.html)

Few universities emphasis on teaching perspective such as University of Auckland has a Master of Higher Education which educates “with the knowledge and skills to teach and research in learning and teaching in your discipline.” (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-higher-education-mhighered.html) Middlesex University London has an MA in Higher Education which “explores the literature in teaching, learning and assessment together, to help you critique and apply generic and subject specific pedagogies and carry out related research across a broad range of disciplines and roles.” (https://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/higher-education)

There are few universities which concentrates on student affairs element such as TNYU Steinhardt has a MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs which focuses on “curriculum encompasses broad themes in the history and development of higher education both in the US and abroad, and includes the study of colleges as institutions; student learning and development; the profession of student affairs; research and assessment methods; and access to higher education and diversity.” (https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/degree/ma-higher-education-and-student-affairs) University of Buffalo has an EdM Higher Education and Student Affairs which “focuses on providing you with the skills needed to help two- and four-year institutions meet the learning and development needs of all students and to personalize the college campus.” (https://ed.buffalo.edu/leadership/academics/masters/higher-ed-student-affairs.html) University of Redlands has Master of Arts in Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs which focuses on “theoretical framework behind higher education through a curriculum that centers on technical skills and social justice” (https://www.redlands.edu/study/schools-and-centers/school-of-education/academics/graduate-department-of-leadership-and-highereducation/ma-higher-ed/) Ball State University has Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education which teaches “understanding of the contemporary issues in higher education, and student affairs’ role in helping college students succeed.” (https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/educational-leadership/academic-programs/masters-degrees/student-affairs-admin-in-higher-education) Lesley University has an MA in International Higher Education which concentrates on Intercultural Relations. (https://lesley.edu/academics/graduate/international-higher-education) Loyola University Chicago has an MEd in Higher Education which imparts learning in “student affairs, enrollment management, academic affairs, equity, diversity and inclusion – or lead community based-organizations that support access, persistence, and completion.” (https://www.luc.edu/education/academics/degreeprograms/masterdegrees/medinhighereducation/) University of Colorado Boulder runs an MA in Higher Education which teaches “higher education policy, research, and practice, especially in the areas of student affairs, academic affairs, diversity, and community engagement.” (https://www.colorado.edu/education/academics/graduate-programs/educational-foundations-policy-practice/ma-higher-education) Grand Valley State University offers an M.Ed. in Education, Higher Education which focuses on “Adult and Higher Education and College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL)”. (https://www.gvsu.edu/acad/education-higher-education-med.htm) Florida State University has an MS in Higher Education which focuses on current and future study and career development in higher education and student affairs. (https://education.fsu.edu/higher-education)

A few universities offer this course with administration perspective such as the Graduate School of Education and Human Development offers Master’s in Higher Education Administration which has different concentration options such as “Student Affairs Administration, Social Justice, General Administration, Higher Education Policy and Finance, and International Higher Education.” (https://gsehd.gwu.edu/programs/masters-higher-education-administration) Northwestern University has a Master of Science Higher Education Administration and Policy program (MSHE) deals with the “American higher education system” and discovers “major issues and policies, including affirmative action, college access, and governance and mission of different institutional types.”  (https://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/higher-education/become-a-full-time-student.html) NC State University has a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration which helps students for the “core body of knowledge, gain real-world professional experience and pursue advanced study.” (https://ced.ncsu.edu/graduate/programs/masters/higher-education-administration/) Central Michigan University has an MA in Higher Education Administration which teaches “leadership theory and best practices behind building transformative”. (https://www.cmich.edu/program/higher-education-administration) The University of Arizona runs an MA in Higher Education which concentrates on “comparative higher education, organization and administration, college access, and student affairs.” (https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/HEDMA) Merrimack College has a Master of Education in Higher Education which put together “devising and implementing innovations in higher education administration related to housing, counseling, financial aid, career development, health care and other issues”. (https://www.merrimack.edu/academics/education-and-social-policy/graduate/higher-education/) University of Louisville has an MA in Higher Education Administration which concentrates on “data-informed decisions, and initiate efforts of organizational change to improve higher education opportunities, outcomes, and institutions, with a focus on policy, inclusion, and equity.” (https://louisville.edu/education/degrees/ma-he) University of Albany, State University of New York has a Master of Science in Higher Education which concentrate on “admissions, advancement, enrollment management, student life, institutional research, diversity and inclusion, and advising.” (https://www.albany.edu/education/programs/ms-higher-education)

Whereas few universities prefer to teach leadership element in the teaching such as Royal Roads University has a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership which develops “a systems thinking approach to strategically address current challenges and opportunities that post secondary institutions are facing.” (https://www.royalroads.ca/programs/master-arts-higher-education-administration-and-leadership?tab=program-description) Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology runs an MS in Leadership in Higher Education which focuses on subjects such as “student support, leadership, policy, finance, virtual learning, and a capstone integration experience”. (https://gsep.pepperdine.edu/ms-leadership-higher-education/)

University of Toronto has variety of courses in Higher Education such as MEd in Education in the Professions, Higher Education (MA, MEd, EdD, PhD), MEd in Higher Education Leadership and MEd in Student Development and Student Services in Higher Education. (https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/programs/higher-education/)