Higher Education Administration MA (Online)

Overview

If you’re a current or aspiring professional, the master’s in higher education administration online degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University can help you build or advance your career in higher education. The program prepares you for roles in administrative and student support services within the higher education sector, offering both the theoretical and practical training you need to professionally advance.

Throughout the program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop critical leadership skills and gain an in-depth understanding of the complex challenges facing colleges and universities today. To better fit your individual career goals, our program allows you to customize 15 hours of coursework in electives to further develop your knowledge of administration, admission, financial aid, risk management and more.

Key Topics

• Theory and practice of college student development
• Current issues in higher education
• College governance
• Program development and planning
• Budgets and resource acquisition
• Legal issues within higher education and student affairs
• Technology in higher education
• Multiculturalism and diversity
• Adult and continuing education
• Residential life
• Public relations
• Financial aid
• Campus safety and security
• Crisis management
• Grant writing
• Financial issues in higher education
• Mentoring

To ensure you gain hands-on training, the program requires a master’s project and an internship. Through these experiences, you will learn how to synchronize your knowledge and apply it practically to the real world.

At FDU, you’ll learn from dynamic faculty with years of experience in their fields. Plus, you’ll benefit from the flexibility of an online education, which allows you to fit your education around a schedule that works for you.

Path to Doctor of Education in Higher Education

Master’s in higher education administration online students can receive advanced standing into the EdD in Higher Education program upon admission. You can apply 6–9 credits of your 36-credit MA in Higher Education Administration degree towards the 45-credit EdD upon admission.

Once admitted to the MA in Higher Education Administration online program, students must be accepted into the EdD program and maintain the required minimum cumulative GPA and program requirements to advance to the EdD in Higher Education program.

The EdD in Higher Education program is a fully online 45-credit degree program designed to bring fresh insights to the critical issues facing colleges and universities. Our practitioner-driven degree offers immediate real-world application and can be completed in 27-45 months without career interruption. The curriculum provides a strong understanding of the history, culture, and structure of higher education and a firm foundation in such operational areas as enrollment management, leadership, strategic planning and use of data analytics to understand the systemic issues currently affecting higher education.

Explore Career Outcomes

University registrars are responsible for providing various services to faculty and students, such as posting classes, ensuring ease of registration, performing audits or advising students. They must possess a detailed understanding of the system in which they work, and must have excellent leadership and communication skills.

Median annual salary: $58,612

Admissions directors are responsible for setting goals and coordinating the admissions department for a college or university. They may be responsible for supervising admissions representatives, developing branding, meeting with students, designing and implementing recruiting strategies and a host of other duties.

Median annual salary: $59,807

Student services coordinators are responsible for planning and overseeing programs for university and college students. They may be charged with tasks such as coordinating student activities, tracking student metrics, maintaining policies and working with other staff for initiatives including recruiting and retention.

Median annual salary: $42,881

Career and salary information via Payscale.com

Courses and Requirements

Required Courses (36 credits)

• MHEA6601 Research Methods
• MHEA6602 College Student Development
• MHEA6603 Social Issues in Higher Education
• MHEA6604 Governance, Planning and Finance in Higher Education
• MHEA6605 The Law and Student Affairs
• MHEA6606 Student Services Internship*
• MHEA6612 Program Design and Strategies for Special Populations in Higher Education
• MHEA6617 Crisis Management for Higher Education Administrators
• MHEA6619 Grant Writing and Administration in Higher Education
• MHEA6622 Financial Administration in College Sports
• MHEA6626 Mentoring Students for Success
• MHEA6100 Master Project

*Students may complete an internship after completing 9 credits. Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own internship with the approval of their advisor.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online program will need to submit the following:

• Graduate application form
• Official transcripts
• Current resume
• A personal statement
• An interview with the Program Director

Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university, during which they must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. This program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission.

How to Get Started on Your Higher Education Administration Degree