Master in Higher Education Leadership (MS)
Drexel University School of Education
Key Information
Campus location
Philadelphia, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
2 years
Pace
Part time
Tuition fees
USD 1,047 / per credit
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* priority application review begins March 1, 2023; rolling admissions thereafter
Scholarships
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Introduction
What is a Master's in higher education leadership?
Drexel University's Master of Science (MS) in Higher Education Leadership is an online graduate program designed to prepare highly skilled and knowledgeable practitioners for leadership positions and career advancement in higher education. The Higher Education Leadership program provides students who are working within higher education or transitioning into higher education with the knowledge, skills, and experience to navigate dynamic changes related to diversity and globalization, equity and access, policies and practices, legal and ethical issues, technological advancements, and risk management through transformative leadership.
For those interested in continuing their education in this rewarding field, Drexel’s Master’s in Higher Education Leadership provides an ideal foundation for a doctoral degree in education management.
Why pursue a Master's degree in higher educational leadership?
The MS in Higher Education Leadership provides optimal flexibility for students. The program is offered entirely online as a part-time program. This format allows students to pursue their degrees without having to sacrifice their careers. The online format allows students to complete their assignments at a time that is convenient for them. Students have access to Drexel's highly respected faculty and are supported by our advising staff.
The Higher Education degree prepares students with the practical skills, knowledge, and experience to become professionals and leaders.
Benefits of the program include:
- Part-time, online program that provides flexibility for learning
- Customizable assignments to align with a student’s current or future position
- Access to highly experienced and knowledgeable faculty in the field of Higher Education
- Individualized advisement and support
- Access to all Drexel resources including the award-winning Hagerty Library (on-campus and online) the Drexel Writing Center, Steinbright Career Development Center, Center for Learning and Academic Student Success (CLASS), and student health and counseling services
What Will You Learn In the MS in Higher Education Graduate Program?
Students in Drexel’s higher education degree program will:
- Study contemporary issues in higher education
- Understand the policies and practices followed by higher education institutions
- Learn about the institutional assessment and accreditation process
- Gain an understanding of ethics, laws, and legal concepts related to the operations of colleges and universities
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
- Format: Part-time
- Credits: 45 – 46.5
- Length of Program: 2 years
Higher education leadership courses & curriculum
The MS in Higher Education Leadership program engages students in a real-world and experiential curriculum facilitated by Drexel University faculty and practitioners who work within higher education and related fields across the United States and internationally. The curriculum brings together theory and practice to provide students with a strong research foundation to support data-driven solutions for current and emerging issues.
Drexel’s Master’s in Higher Education Leadership consists of 14 courses with a total of 45 academic credits. The credits include:
- 12 credit hours of core courses (4 courses)
- 15 credit hours of primary concentration courses (5 courses)
- 9 credit hours of secondary concentration or professional elective courses (3 courses)
- 9 credit hours are required for the capstone experience (3 courses)
Capstone Courses
Students in the MS in Higher Education Leadership program complete a research capstone course where they are introduced to various types of research designs and learn to be both consumers and producers of research. Following completion of the research course, students will complete a capstone experience by selecting one of the two-course multi-disciplinary sequence options below:
- Thesis (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s thesis which consists of a well-written research paper, comprised of five chapters that posit a research question and uses logical arguments & data to address/answer a gap in research
- Lesson Study (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a research-based lesson design and analysis project
- Practitioner Course (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s project. Examples include: A reform initiative narrative, program or grant proposal, white paper or policy analysis, or program evaluation
Program Outcome
What Will You Learn In the MS in Higher Education Graduate Program?
Students in Drexel’s higher education degree program will:
- Study contemporary issues in higher education
- Understand the policies and practices followed by higher education institutions
- Learn about the institutional assessment and accreditation process
- Gain an understanding of ethics, laws, and legal concepts related to the operations of colleges and universities
What can you do with a degree in higher education leadership?
The MS in Higher Education Leadership program prepares students for dynamic and diverse careers within higher education and related fields, including, but not limited to, public, private, and for-profit four-year and two-year institutions, and national and international associations, organizations, government agencies, foundations, and corporations.
The Higher Education Leadership Master’s Program is an experiential program that offers intense preparation for a variety of rewarding careers. Job opportunities may include:
- Higher Education four-year and two-years institutions
- National, state, and regional associations
- International organizations
- Nonprofit and for-profit organizations/corporations
- Government agencies
- Non-Government Organizations
- Executive search firms
- Policy-related sectors
Graduates of the Higher Education Leadership program have assumed roles in two and four-year colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, associations and government agencies. They serve roles such as managers, directors, deans, presidents and analysts in programs at private and public institutions of higher education all over the U.S.
English Language Requirements
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