Program Overview

Higher Education Administration, MA

The Master of Arts degree in higher education is offered on the Tuscaloosa campus and online. The Master of Arts is a 36-hour degree program designed for students seeking to enter into a range of professional careers in postsecondary education. The program follows standards and guidelines taken from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, and provides courses in foundational studies, professional studies, supervised practice, research methodology, and elective study.

Admissions

Admission Requirements for Higher Education Administration, MA (Main Campus)

• Application deadline: January 15
• In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
  • three letters of recommendation
  • a one-page statement of purpose for pursuing the degree
  • updated vita or résumé
  • a five-page writing sample describing a problem that faces higher education today (nationally), analyzing salient points of the issue, and evaluating potential solutions. The sample should demonstrate formal writing and should include appropriate citations. Applicants may submit an academic paper in lieu of the five-page essay, preferably on a recent topic related to higher education.

Admission Requirements for Higher Education Administration, MA (Distance Learning - Online)

• Application Deadlines:
  • July 15 - fall admission
  • April 15 - summer admission
  • November 1 - spring admission
• In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
  • three letters of recommendation
  • a one-page statement of purpose for pursuing the degree
  • updated vita or résumé
  • a five-page writing sample describing a problem that faces higher education today (nationally), analyzing salient points of the issue, and evaluating potential solutions. The sample should demonstrate formal writing and should include appropriate citations. Applicants may submit an academic paper in lieu of the five-page essay, preferably on a recent topic related to higher education.

Curriculum Requirements

Higher Education Administration, MA (Main Campus)

One plan is offered for the master’s degree. Candidates for the master’s degree must earn a minimum of 36 total semester hours of credit. The Capstone Seminar in Higher Education (AHE 593 Student Affairs Capstone Sem) is the required culminating experience for the program. The 36-hour degree program is designed for students seeking to enter a range of professional careers in postsecondary education. The program includes courses in foundational studies, professional studies, supervised practice, and research methods. As a rule, all master’s students are required to complete a capstone seminar.

Unless substitutions are approved by the student’s faculty advisor, all of the following courses are required for the award of the MA in Higher Education Administration.

• AHE 500: Perspect High Educ Admin (3 hours)
• AHE 507: Student Development Theory I (3 hours)
• AHE 520: Student In Higher Eductn (3 hours)
• AHE 521: Student Affairs (3 hours)
• AHE 540: Org and Governance (3 hours)
• AHE 593: Student Affairs Capstone Sem (3 hours)
• AHE 645: Higher Ed/SA Assessment (3 hours)
• AHE 680: Readings in HE (3 hours)
• AHE 685: Higher Ed in the US (3 hours)
• BER 540: Statistical Methods In Educ (3 hours)
• Advisor-approved electives, one of which must be AHE (6 hours) Total Hours: 36

Higher Education Administration, MA (Distance Learning - Online)

• AHE 500: Perspect High Educ Admin (3 hours)
• AHE 503: Learning w/ Tech in Higher Ed (3 hours)
• AHE 507: Student Development Theory I (3 hours)
• AHE 520: Student In Higher Eductn (3 hours)
• AHE 540: Org and Governance (3 hours)
• AHE 550: Financing Higher Eductn (3 hours)
• AHE 593: Student Affairs Capstone Sem (3 hours)
• AHE 645: Higher Ed/SA Assessment (3 hours)
• AHE 680: Readings in HE (3 hours)
• AHE 685: Higher Ed in the US (3 hours)
• BER 540: Statistical Methods In Educ (3 hours)
• Select ONE of the following electives: (3 hours)
  • AHE 505: Grant/Project/Res in HigherED
  • AHE 603: College & University Teaching
  • AHE 644: Sem Acad Progrm Dev Eval
  • AHE 670: Higher Education Policy Total Hours: 36

Transfer Credit

Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.

Comprehensive Exam

Students take AHE 593 Student Affairs Capstone Sem as the culminating experience/course for the degree.

Time Limits for Degree Completion

Graduate School information on Time Limits.

Academic Misconduct

Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.

Withdrawals and Leave of Absence

Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.

Academic Grievances

Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.

Grades and Academic Standing

Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.

Graduate School Deadlines

Information on Graduate School Deadlines.

Application for Graduation

Information on the Application for Graduation.

Accepted graduate students are encouraged to apply for College of Education scholarships and, for distance learning students only, scholarships offered through UA Online.

Funding for Students

Graduate School information on Financial Assistance.