The Higher Education MS program was updated effective Fall 2025. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students admitted prior to Fall 2025 will follow the prior degree requirements outlined in the 2024 Graduate Bulletin page.
The MS in Higher Education is increasingly recognized as an important credential for those seeking entry level and mid-level administrative employment in college and universities - working in student life, residence halls, academic advising, college athletics and so forth. The curriculum is specifically designed to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical base, enabling them to effectively use research and theory in their day-to-day lives as higher education leaders and to prepare students to pursue doctoral education.
Program Requirements - 36 credits:
Core Courses - three courses (9 credits)
- Epl 600 - Introduction to Organizational Leadership (3)
- Epl 601 - Introduction to Social Analysis (3)
- Epl 614 - Quantitative Methods in Educational Leadership (3)
Support Discipline Courses - select two courses (6 credits)
- Epl 602 - The Economics of Education (3)
- Epl 606 (E Phl 606) - Ethics and Education (3)
- Epl 656 - Sociology of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 657 - History of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 658 - Politics of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 750 - Higher Education Finance (3)
- Epl 751 - Higher Education Law (3)
- Or other courses as advised
Higher Education Concentration Courses - select 4 courses (12 credits)
- Epl 500 United States Educational Governance, Policy and Administration (3)
- Epl 607 Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining (3)
- Epl 609 - Leadership for Cradle to Career Education Systems (3)
- Epl 612 (Cpy 604) - Career Development (3)
- Epl 618 Family and Community Partnerships (3)
- Epl 641 (E Tap 641) Continuous Quality Improvement in Education and Human Services (3)
- Epl 642 Seminar in Adult and Continuing Education (3)
- Epl 643 Introduction to International Education Management (3)
- Epl 644 Educational Entrepreneurship (3)
- Epl 645 Student Services in International Education (3)
- Epl 649 - Administration of Athletics in Higher Education (3)
- Epl 651 - Administration of Institutions of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 652 - College Student Affairs (3)
- Epl 654 - Community Colleges (3)
- Epl 655 Administration of College Staff Policies (3)
- Epl 656 Sociology of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 657 History of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 658 Politics of Higher Education (3)
- Epl 659 - Assessment and Accountability in Higher Education (3)
- Epl 661 Mindfulness in Organizations and Leadership (3)
- Epl 663 (Tap 663) Networked Communities: Building A Culture of Practice Improvement (3)
- Epl 664 (Tap 664) Theories of Change and Action Science for Innovation and Improvement (3)
- Epl 665 Advanced Seminar in Continuous Quality Improvement (1)
- Epl 670 Analysis for Educational Policy and Leadership (3)
- Epl 672 Educational Public Relations (3)
- Epl 674 Educational Leadership in Federal and State Governments (3)
- Epl 724 Administrative Planning in Higher Education (3)
- Epl 727 Politics of Private and Independent School and College Administration (3)
- Epl 729 Seminar on Labor Management Relations in Education (3)
- Epl 742 Seminar in Administration of Adult Education Settings (3)
- Epl 750 - Higher Education Finance (3)
- Epl 751 - Higher Education Law (3)
- Epl 752 - Research Colloquium on Higher Education (3)
- Epl 753 - Seminar on College Persistence (3)
- Epl 755 The Human Service Professions in Engaged Universities (3)
- Epl 757 - Seminar in the Administration of the Community College (3)
- Epl 758 Special Topics in International Education Management & Leadership (1 - 3)
- Epl 763 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (3)
- Epl 764 Computer Applications in Educational Administration and Policy Studies (3)
- Or other courses as advised
Elective Courses - select 2 courses (6 credits)
- Students can select any courses within the Support Discipline and Higher Education Concentration courses that have not been taken to fulfill those requirements, or other courses as advised.
Research Capstone Courses - (3 credits)
- Epl 680 - Seminar in Education Policy and Leadership (3)
Please note: This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.