Online Master’s in Higher Education
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The education landscape is changing, and earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education degree equips you to make effective administrative decisions as you advance into management roles at universities and colleges. Caldwell University’s online graduate degree in Higher Education also prepares you to pivot into a rewarding higher education career.
Program Highlights
Caldwell’s flexible Master’s degree in Higher Education is offered completely online, allowing you to pursue your career and educational goals simultaneously. With our seven-week modular courses, you can begin the program without waiting for the next semester or academic year. In addition, our online, 36-credit Master’s in Higher Education program is quite affordable at $735 per credit hour.
Our graduate degree in Higher Education is designed to offer a generalist perspective on college and university administration, yet you can specialize your capstone in a particular area. Depending on your career plans in higher education, you may specialize your graduate studies in student affairs, enrollment management, resource management, and human resources, as well as focus on public, private, or Catholic institutions.
According to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Jersey, Delaware, and California are the top paying states for Postsecondary Educational Administrators. In locations where more students are enrolling at colleges and universities, this occupation is likely to see growth.
In addition to offering this online master’s in Higher Education, Caldwell’s Graduate School of Education offers a variety of degrees and professional programming, including an M.A. in Educational Administration, various post-master certificates, and an Ed.D or Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.
Master’s in Higher Education Admissions
The admission requirements for our Master of Arts in Higher Education program include:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Complete the Graduate Caldwell University Application
- Official undergraduate/graduate transcript(s) from accredited institution(s). Official electronic transcripts are welcome if the transcripts are sent to us by the institution or an approved third party such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation for graduate study, preferably from former professors or current employer
- 1-2 page personal statement on why an applicant wants to earn a MA in Higher Education
- Personal interview, if necessary
Supporting documents for a graduate application can be emailed to graduate@caldwell.edu or sent by mail:
Caldwell University
Office of Graduate Admissions
120 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
The capstone courses (ED 604: Internship and ED 618: Seminar) will be the culminating activities for the students in the program. Assessment of the internship will be triangulated and include assessment of student performance by the Internship supervisor and mentor; a rubric-based evaluation of the student’s log of activities; and student reflections of the process and experience. The seminar will include a major research project that explores in depth a current problem or issue of particular interest to the student, allowing students to demonstrate graduate-level research competency.
M.A. IN HIGHER EDUCATION (ONLINE)
The M.A. in Higher Education has been designed to give students the theoretical background they need, complemented by sufficient experiential learning opportunities, to be well-prepared for positions in diverse areas including, student affairs, enrollment management, resource management and human resources in public, private and Catholic institutions. This 36-credit program is fully online. Classes are 7-weeks in length and students who choose to attend full-time may be able to complete their degree in one year. The course rotation will allow students to enter the program at the beginning of any seven-week session, maximizing the flexibility and appeal of the program. The target audience for the program is individuals working in higher education who are seeking career advancement and recent college graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in higher education.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Formal application to the Caldwell University Office of Graduate Admissions
- Official transcript(s)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Personal interview, if necessary
*Tuition for this program may vary from the per credit charges for other programs within the School of Education. Students should check the University website for the most current information on tuition and fees.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, including the following:
Core Courses (30 credits)
Course Code : ED 524
Course Description :
An examination of the history of higher education in the United States, including the purposes and policies of higher education and developments in the diversity of institutional type, access, and curricula. Provides an overview of the philosophical, sociological, and historical contexts that influence higher education institutions in the 21st century. Includes an analysis of contemporary issues and the implications for policy and practice in higher education.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 532
Course Description :
An overview of the historical, contemporary, and emerging legal and ethical issues related to the administration of higher education. Considers the legislative, judicial, and executive actions that directly affect administrators, faculty, staff, and students in colleges and universities. Special attention is given to federal regulations and mandates, constitutional issues, tort liability, contractual relationships, distinctions between public and private sector institutions of higher education, and ethical standards.
Course Code : ED 531
Course Description :
A critical analysis of cultural diversity, multiculturalism, and equity in American higher education, focusing specifically on student experiences, curricula, institutional climate, educational policies, and administrative practices. Emphasizes administrative responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities for creating and sustaining affirming, pluralistic, and inclusive campus communities for all students.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 506
Course Description :
An overview of principles, policies, and practices in curriculum development, including social, economic, political, historical and philosophical contexts that influence curriculum formation and operation. Examines the relationship between knowledge, learning, teaching, and technology and provides a comprehensive theoretical and pedagogical foundation for making critical decisions about the use of technology within the college curriculum.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 507
Course Description :
An overview of principles and organizational patterns of student affairs programs and services for colleges and universities. Considers the development of the student affairs profession and emphasizes major literature in the field, legal and ethical issues, institutional mission and cultures, and the role of various student service functions.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 511
Course Description :
An introduction to leadership and management concepts in higher education environments, focusing on factors influencing strategic level decision-making including governance models, organizational structures, human resources, change management, and finances. Considers major theoretical approaches to understanding leadership and examines how leadership functions within higher education.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 512
Course Description :
An examination of trends and changes in the characteristics of college students in a broad range of developmental and sociological areas. Explores theories of college student development, including cognitive, moral, psycho-social, ethical, and human development theories applicable to college student populations. Considers identity development models, emphasizing their practical application for program design, interventions, outreach, and research programs.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 609
Course Description :
An examination of theories, practices, and issues relevant to assessment of student outcomes and institutional effectiveness in higher education, including an overview of research, assessment, and evaluation; elements of assessment design, methods for data collection, and analysis; relevant ethical and political dilemmas; and practical assessment activities. Introduces policies and practices to support data-driven decision-making, emphasizing strategic mission, analysis, goals, objectives, implementation and evaluation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 586
Course Description :
An overview of the economics and finance of higher education in the United States, with a particular focus on analysis of financial policies and current issues at the national, state and institutional levels. Considers relationships between educational objectives and resource allocations, including strategic planning, patterns of expenditure, sources of income, outsourcing, capital funding, endowment management, and budget preparation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 617
Course Description :
An examination of enrollment management within colleges and universities, with an emphasison current trends pertaining to recruitment and retention of students at all levels of highereducation. Specific attention is given to effective leadership, recruitment, retention, institutionaladvancement, student services, and targeted communication. The application of technology toenrollment management is also considered.
Credit : 3
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Course Code : ED 604
Course Description :
The internship is a supervised field experience in a setting consistent with individual interest that is designed to enhance students’ professional capacities. Students will assume administrative responsibilities at a college, a university, or another higher education organization, under the supervision of an accomplished professional in the field.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 618
Course Description :
The seminar is designed to encourage the integration and synthesis of theories, concepts andthemes in previous coursework; to critique research in the field; and to provide an opportunityfor in-depth study of areas of particular student interest.
Credit : 3
Program Retention in the School of Education
Students may only earn one grade below B in a graduate level course. This course may be repeated once to earn a higher letter grade. Any student who receives a grade below B in a second graduate level course will be dismissed from the program. Some courses are assessed as PASS/FAIL. A grade PASS is equivalent to the grade B or better.
All School of Education program requirements are subject to change based on the New Jersey Department of Education regulations. For the most current information, please consult the Caldwell University School of Education page.
Earn your Master’s in Higher Education through Caldwell
Caldwell University’s online Master of Arts in Higher Education degree provides a comprehensive administration overview to further your career as a higher education professional. This flexible master’s program also allows you to choose the area of higher education to specialize in.
Ready to get started? Request information to learn more or apply now.
For information about faculty and other education programs at Caldwell University, see Graduate School of Education.
