Higher Education Administration
Overview
Higher education administration programs prepare people to manage community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities.Higher education administration programs include topics such as:
- Policy development
- Budgeting and finance
- Student affairs
- Academics
- Nonacademic services
- Staffing and labor relations
- Public policy and laws
Schools
To enter a higher education administration program, students must already have a bachelor's degree.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in higher education administration. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Accounting
- Adult and Continuing Education Teaching
- Business Management and Administration
- Education Administration
- Education Measurement and Testing
- Education, General
- Nonprofit Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Public Policy Studies
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Business Executives
- Education Administrators
- Financial Counselors
- Instructional Coordinators
- University and College Teachers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- English Composition
- Pre-Calculus
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Graduate Program Courses
A master's degree program in higher education administration typically includes courses such as the following:
- Administration of Higher Education
- Educational Statistics
- Foundations of Educational Administration
- Higher Education Business and Finance
- Higher Education Law
- Planning and Evaluation in Higher Education
- Policy Issues in Administration of Higher Education
- Student Affairs Administration
A doctoral degree program in higher education administration typically includes more courses such as the above, plus courses on research methods and advanced statistics, such as the following:
- Applied Regression Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Research Methods in Higher Education Administration
In addition, graduate programs typically require the following:
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
In a doctoral program, you may have opportunities to work part time as a research assistant or teaching assistant. Although either of these activities can extend the amount of time it takes to get your degree, you are paid for the work, your tuition fees may be waived, and they help build your career.
Schools
East Side Area
Central Washington University
- Higher Education
Washington State University - Pullman
- International School Leadership Certificate
King-Snohomish Area
Northeastern University - Seattle
- Education
University of Washington - Bothell
- Leadership Development for Educators (LEDE)
University of Washington - Seattle
- Education, Communities and Organizations (ECO)
West Side Area
Saint Martin's University
- Higher Education and Student Affairs