Master’s Degrees | Higher Education

Online Master of Arts in Higher Education

Professionals in higher education working at a variety of types of colleges and universities play important roles in supporting the success of the students and institutions they serve.

These higher education professionals can be found in academic affairs, alumni affairs and development, athletics, enrollment management, financial affairs, and student affairs. They help plan and present programs and services, foster a sense of community, promote student success and degree attainment, support student organizations, management essential functions, and provide leadership at the departmental, divisional, and institutional level.

To cultivate and nurture tomorrow’s leaders in higher education, the University of Mississippi introduced the fully online Master of Arts in Higher Education program. This program is designed for (1) people working in higher education looking to advance their careers or (2) for professionals from other fields looking to move into higher education.

MA in Higher Ed Program Info

Have you thought about leading change in higher education? The University of Mississippi's Master’s in Higher Education is geared toward individuals seeking to make a difference in a post-secondary environment.

ON THIS PAGE:
About the Program
Curriculum
Careers
Admissions
Contact

Quick Facts

FORMAT
Fully Online

CREDITS
30

PROGRAM DURATION
5 Semesters

START TERMS
Fall, Spring

About the Online Master’s in Higher Education Program

Our program is ideal if:

You are interested in supporting access, attainment, and affordability in higher education for a diverse array of students.
You want to encourage accountability and innovation in college and university curricular and co-curricular programs and services.
You are committed to equity and social justice as important principles in higher education.
You are interested in advancing your career in higher education or moving into higher education from another field.

The online Master of Arts in Higher Education is a 30-credit program designed to help you work toward these objectives in the higher education field. Combining theory and practice, the program helps prepare you to:

Recognize the ways in which colleges and universities are organized and governed
Manage the essential resources of people, funds, facilities, and data
Become familiar with higher education history and law
Develop, present, and assess programs and services within higher education institutions
Understand the ways in which students develop and learn during college
Identify and analyze techniques for supporting an institution’s mission while connecting with students, their families, colleagues, and broader communities, including professional communities
Foster a sense of professional identity, ethics, engagement, and development

Online Master’s in Higher Education Curriculum

Student may be admitted to the program in either the Fall or Spring term. The program is designed for students to take two courses per term for five semesters, but there are other options for students requiring more scheduling flexibility.

The online Master’s in Higher Education program helps students use theory and skills to support the success of students and institutions. In addition to the broad higher education focus of the program, students may also select an emphasis on intercollegiate athletics in their coursework.

Along with progressing through all courses, students are required to complete a capstone portfolio project in their final semester. The capstone project is a reflective exercise to showcase integration of knowledge and skills learned during the program and to demonstrate preparedness for professional advancement.

In preparation to excel in your future career, the program:

Explores the history and development of higher education, with greater emphasis placed on its cultural origins and events shaping its development;
Introduces research methods related to psychological and educational development, key for elevating and building bonds with an institution’s students and fostering their success;
Enriches your skill set by emphasizing change management and the importance of persuasion, power, and political awareness;
Provides a detailed perspective of the individual and distinctive structures of community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities;

Discusses specific and unique legal and resource management issues;
Stresses the importance of cooperation, communication, and teamwork among administrative staff and in serving the needs of enrolled students;
Identifies and examines the identity, choices, and characteristics of college students;
Equips you with the skills to develop, introduce, and evaluate school-wide programs, including research, assessment, and data analysis methods.

Careers in Higher Education

The University of Mississippi's Master’s in Higher Education degree not only supports your aspirations and broadens your skill set but further prepares you to inspire and lead in several post-secondary administrative positions, including roles in:

Financial aid
Student affairs
Residence life
Institutional fundraising
Admissions
Campus recreation

Career services
Athletic administration
Advising
Leadership development
Academic administration

Based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for post-secondary administrators is predicted to remain steady between 2019 and 2029. Graduates from the University of Mississippi's program go on to rewarding careers at local Mississippi colleges, major Southern universities, and institutions all over the country looking for dedicated, innovative, and influential professionals.

Admission Requirements

Considering a career change or aspiring to a role where you promote access, affordability, and attainment within the higher education field? Applicants to the program must meet these requirements:

Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited United States institution or the equivalent from an international institution.
Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on the coursework attempted for regular admission;
- Having an undergraduate grade point average of less than 3.0 may qualify for provisional admission.
Three years of post-baccalaureate work experience in higher education or a related field is strongly preferred.
Complete a Graduate School application online.
Upload the following supplemental materials to the Graduate School application:
- statement of purpose;
- resume; and
- contact information for three references.

Apply Now

UPCOMING ADMISSIONS DEADLINES
Fall 2023: January 1
Spring 2024: October 1

Applications received after the priority admissions application deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Help lead the change in higher education

Shape colleges and universities in ways that support the success of students, institutions, our nation, and the world with a degree from the online Master of Arts in Higher Education program at the University of Mississippi. For additional information, please contact Dr. George McClellan at 662-915-4995 or gsmcclel@olemiss.edu.

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