Higher Education Administration, M.A. -Inactive

Contact Information

• Academic Program Director: Cynthia Alcantar
• Academic Advisor: Ana Baez

Introduction/Overview

The M.A. in Higher Education Administration program cultivates socially just leaders poised to make impactful contributions in community colleges, public and private four-year institutions, and related educational settings. The program guides candidates to becoming scholarly, reflective, and transformative leaders who champion diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and social justice (DEIAJ) in higher education.  The program provides a comprehensive understanding of higher education that addresses the historical, legal, and policy landscapes of higher education, while foregrounding critical perspectives on DEIAJ. The program’s curriculum integrates rigorous examinations of higher education research, theory, praxis, governance, and administration with practical fieldwork experiences that empower students to navigate complex institutional environments. The program is offered in an online format in a combination of evening synchronous and asynchronous class sessions to meet the needs of working professionals.

Program Outcomes

Guided by principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and justice (DEIAJ), graduates of the program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary problems of higher education and relate them to sociohistorical and political contexts and their evolution over time.
• Describe the organizational and governance structures of community colleges and four-year colleges/universities.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the diverse experiences of students, faculty, administrators, and staff at community colleges and four-year colleges/universities, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds, to support their success through advocacy, policy, and practice.
• Analyze and synthesize research to evaluate and design theory-driven and evidence-based policies and practices that promote DEIAJ in higher education.

Program Admission Requirements

• Online Graduate Application
• Bachelor’s Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
• Official Transcript from all Colleges/Universities Attended, including all Community/Junior Colleges
  • Applicants who completed an undergraduate/graduate degree outside of the United States of America:
    • Official Transcript Evaluation from an approved evaluation agency that details content of coursework completed, degree equivalency, and cumulative GPA
    • Official Transcript is still needed along with the Transcript Evaluation
• Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or 3.05 in the last 60 Undergraduate Units, a 3.0 in at least 9 Graduate Units, or Completion of a Request for Exception to GPA Requirement
• Applicants whose citizenship is from a country where English is not the primary language:
  • TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English Test Minimum Scores (unless a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree was obtained in the United States)
• Resume or CV
• One Letter of Recommendation (and an optional second letter)
• Statement of Intent

Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Required Coursework
EDLA 6105	Assessment and Research Methodology	3
EDLA 6710	Leadership in Higher Education I	3
EDLA 6711	Foundations of Higher Education	3
EDLA 6712	Organization and Administration in Higher Education	3
EDLA 6714	Leadership in Catholic Higher Education	2
EDLA 6715	Community College Leadership	2
EDLA 6717	Theory to Critical Praxis in Higher Education	3
EDLA 6720	Fieldwork in Higher Education	3
EDLA 6721	Higher Education Law and Public Policy	3
EDLA 6722	Resource Management in Higher Education	3
EDLA 6723	Leadership in Higher Education II	3
EDLA 6995	Comprehensive Examination (fee required)	0
Total Semester Hours		31

Additional Requirement

• Application for Degree