Online Master's in Higher Education Degree Programs
The field of higher education encompasses leadership, administration, research, teaching, and oversight of a broad range of academic and student services at two- and four-year colleges, research universities, graduate and professional schools, and other accredited post-secondary institutions. Teaching and scholarship are central to the mission of higher education. However, there are numerous support functions that are integral to the day-to-day administration and long-term viability of degree-granting institutions, from managing admissions and financial aid for current and future students to facilitating alumni relations with past graduates.
Masters in higher education programs provide professional training and instruction in knowledge and skills needed to advance into college and university leadership and administrative positions. These programs offer a curriculum designed to prepare educators and other professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree to effectively manage administrative responsibilities, including academic program design, student affairs, and educational policy. Graduates of higher education programs typically seek positions in educational leadership and may specialize in student success, career services, alumni relations, financial aid, research grants, and other areas that support colleges, universities, and graduate schools.
What is a Master in Higher Education Degree?
A Master’s in Higher Education is a graduate degree designed to equip education professionals with leadership proficiencies tailored to the demands of college and university administration. Students learn about the higher education system, contemporary issues in the field, and the policies and strategies college and university administrators use to enrich campus life, improve student outcomes, manage change, and ensure institutional stability. Program graduates typically seek positions at public and private two- and four-year colleges, universities, nonprofit educational organizations, government agencies, and organizations concerned with educational policy and planning.
The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) maintains standards for master’s level higher education and student affairs professional preparation programs, which were most recently revised in 2020. The CAS framework outlines expectations for graduate training in higher education, including student support and development, administrative practices, regulatory compliance, professional ethics, alumni relations, and diversity and inclusion. As part of master’s training in higher education, CAS recommends students engage in practical experiences through internships or practicums in college and university administrative settings.
Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs
Online Master’s in Higher Education programs provide a more convenient and flexible alternative to traditional, campus-based programs by offering all or most of their didactic instruction via distance learning technologies. These programs are commonly designed for academics and other higher education professionals who want to advance into administrative roles, as well as for elementary and secondary school administrators who are interested in working at the college level. Students in an online Master’s in Higher Education program access lectures and coursework through online learning management systems (LMSs) equipped to deliver live and prerecorded lectures and assignment, and host discussion groups and other peer-to-peer interactions. Most programs do not require any campus visits. However, some online programs ask students to attend one or two relatively short on-campus sessions.
It is important to note that internships and practicum experiences are not considered campus visits, as they typically take place at third-party sites and can be required independent of the program’s instruction method (i.e., on-campus or online). Some programs may require students to complete an internship on or near their campus, but most give online students the option of finding a local site, provided it meets the program’s training needs and is approved by the program.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs
Master’s programs in higher education are typically offered through schools and colleges of education or professional studies at accredited universities and designated as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Education (MEd) in Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, or Higher Education Leadership programs. OnlineEducation.com conducts independent research to identify online programs that provide professional training and instruction in higher education policy, administration, ethics, and practices. These programs are classified as online Master’s in Higher Education programs based on their curriculum and instruction methods. Programs that offer all of their didactic instruction online and those that require two or fewer campus-based sessions per year are categorized as online programs on the site. Programs that require students to attend three or more on-campus sessions per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not currently listed on the site.
Additionally, all programs listed on the site are offered by regionally accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs
Students in higher education master’s programs learn about the higher education system, its norms and policies, and the strategies deployed to provide leadership and direction in academic program planning, student development, and institutional success. Specific subjects vary by program, but most Master’s in Higher Education curricula include courses in student development theory, institutional governance, higher education law and policy, diversity and inclusion, finance and budgeting, and curriculum and program assessment and design.
In addition to core coursework in higher education administration, leadership, and policy, many programs have specializations or offer elective courses that allow students to tailor the focus of their graduate studies. Common areas of specialization include student affairs, academic program design, student recruitment and retention, diversity and inclusion, career services, alumni relations, fundraising and institutional development, community college leadership, athletic program management, distance learning, and legal and regulatory compliance. Finally, online Master’s in Higher Education programs commonly require students to engage in site-based internship or practicum experiences and many programs require or give students the option of completing a research-based thesis or capstone project.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs
The table below offers a representative overview of typical Master’s in Higher Education courses. The names and descriptions are drawn from actual online programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Issues in Higher Education | Provides an overview of institutional legal obligations and regulatory standards in higher education, the rights and responsibilities of staff, students, and faculty, and the role of state and federal government in higher education regulation. |
| Multiculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education | Explores issues such as race, gender, ethnicity, class, age, sexual orientation, and disabilities in the context of higher education, and focuses on how diverse groups interact in educational settings, and how diversity impacts curriculum choices. |
| Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | The theories of student development and how they inform evidence-based teaching practices, curriculum design and evaluation, and the effective use of teaching aids to enhance learning at the college level. |
| Teaching Adult Learners | Explores the history, theories, and models of teaching adult learners (andragogy), contemporary and global perspectives on the topic, the use of technology and other teaching practices for adult learners, and how to teach in various higher education settings. |
| Foundations of Student Affairs | Examines the function, nature, and purpose of the student affairs profession, effective management and coordination of student affairs responsibilities, and how student affairs offices are organized, staffed, and funded. |
| College Students in the United States | Examines the U.S. college student population, including changing demographics, the challenges and issues undergraduate students bring to higher learning institutions, and educational outcomes in the context of education policy. |
| Student Learning and Assessment Methods | Explores accepted theoretical perspectives on creating a culture of assessment through valid and reliable evidence, how to evaluate adult learners, and strategies for implementing various assessment methodologies. |
| Organizational Improvement in Higher Education | Explores the organizational improvement process, including the personnel involved in organizational change and the challenges that arise during this process at colleges and universities. |
| Enrollment Management and Marketing | Presents methods of recruiting, enrolling, and retaining students and explores how admissions outcome predictions, marketing, and financial aid impact enrollment decisions. |
| Budget and Financial Management in Higher Education | Covers the use quantitative data to make budget and financial decisions for higher learning institutions, how tuition and fee revenue models fund the intuition, and the role of fundraising and endowments on institutional development. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs
Applicants to online Master’s in Higher Education programs must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for admission. Some programs have additional requirements, such as a minimum undergraduate GPA (which can often be 2.75 or 3.0 on a four-point scale), and/or prior coursework in teaching and education. As part of the application process, candidates may be asked to submit two to three letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, and a resume or CV.
While many programs no longer require test scores from a standardized graduate admissions test like the GRE, some programs still require applicants to submit GRE or MAT scores. For students who have already taken the exam, programs will typically allow students to submit scores even if they are not required if the student thinks their scores will help their application. Finally, some programs are designed for experienced educators who have worked for several years in the field and require applicants to have at least one or more years of professional experience on their CV.
Online Master’s in Higher Education Format Options
Online master’s programs generally afford more convenience and flexibility when compared to campus-based programs as students are not required to commute to a physical location to attend classes when school is in session. However, there are several key features that differentiate online programs that students should understand before enrolling in a program, including online instruction methods, enrollment options, and whether or not an online program requires campus visits. Each of these factors is examined in depth in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous instruction is the term for online instruction that takes place in real-time and requires students to be logged on to a program’s learning management system for regularly scheduled live class meetings. Courses that utilize synchronous instruction generally hold classes once or twice per week, and these sessions are commonly scheduled in the early mornings or evenings to avoid work conflicts (some programs also have live online classes on the weekends). In contrast, asynchronous instruction relies solely on pre-recorded lectures and does not have a real-time component. Asynchronous instruction also encompasses assignments that students complete outside of lectures and class meetings on their own time.
While asynchronous instruction provides students more flexibility because they can review class materials and complete assignments at any time day or night, it typically requires students to be more self-motivated and self-disciplined compared to synchronous instruction which has weekly scheduled class meetings. Synchronous instruction provides students with a greater amount of structure and more closely resembles traditional on-campus programs; however, it is not as flexible for students who cannot regularly attend scheduled class meetings due to work or other commitments outside of school. Potential applicants to an online program should weigh the relative benefits and drawbacks of these two modes of online and consider their own learning styles and preferences when choosing a program.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Most master’s programs are comprised of roughly four semesters, or two academic years, of full-time coursework, whether they are offered online or on campus. However, many online programs give students the option of enrolling on a part-time basis and some programs are only offered part-time. To allow part-time students to earn their degree in two years, some programs offer courses quarterly, or in six- or eight-week sessions four, five, or six times per calendar year. These alternative academic calendars allow students to take fewer courses per term while still completing several courses over the same time frame as a traditional 15-week semester.
Nevertheless, part-time enrollment typically extends the time to completion for a Master’s in Higher Education program. Full-time students can expect to earn their degree in 16 to 24 months, while part-time students generally take 24 to 36 months to graduate. Researching program enrollment options prior to submitting applications is a good way to ensure a positive online learning experience.
Campus Visits: Most online Master’s in Higher Education programs are fully online and do not require any campus visits. However, some online programs incorporate one or two campus visits per year to enrich the learning experience. Campus visits, often referred to as intensives, immersion sessions, or residencies, are typically used to promote relationship-building, hands-on skill development, and networking opportunities. Programs that require more than two campus visits per year are not classified as online programs on the site. It is important to note that site-based internships are not the same as campus visits, and programs that offer all of their instruction online may still require students to complete internship or practicum hours at a site within commuting distance to their place of residence.