higher education student

Master's in Higher Education

Master of Science (M.S.)

Prepare for a career in administration or student services at a college or university.

Colleges and universities face complex challenges as they serve increasingly diverse student bodies in a competitive environment. Graduate prepared for a variety of positions at educational institutions, government agencies and nonprofit institutions.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
1-2 years
Credit hours:
30

Why earn a master's in higher education?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
March 15* | Aug. 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Our program develops students as scholar-practitioners. We challenge master's in Higher Education degree candidates to reflect critically about issues, problems and ethical concerns facing decision makers in higher education.

As a Higher Education master's student, you'll:

  • Participate in a community of learners with students and faculty from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
  • Develop, deliver and assess educational programs and student support services through coursework grounded in research and best practices.
  • Apply theory to practice to demonstrate how organizations, culture and environment influence and shape student behavior.
  • Take active learning roles through experiential opportunities designed to prepare graduates for professional positions in higher education and student affairs.
  • Complete a scholarly project based on your area of interest in higher education.

Online Master's in Higher Education

  • Core courses provide an understanding of higher education, including governance, institutional organization and culture, the roles of faculty, students and administrators.

  • Learn how to analyze quantitative and qualitative research data to improve educational outcomes.

  • Students have the opportunity to apply theory to practice through an internship at a college or university.

  • The Higher Education master's program culminates with a written capstone project.

  • Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

  • Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

Jobs with a Master's in Higher Education

103k

Median annual salary for postsecondary education administrators, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Graduates of our program hold research, administrative and leadership positions in at community colleges, colleges and universities and tribal colleges. They also hold positions at policy and research agencies as well as state and federal government offices.

College and universities offer a wide range of opportunities. Our graduates work in departments such as:

  • Academic and career advising
  • Admissions and enrollment management
  • Athletics
  • Financial aid
  • Greek affairs
  • Housing and residential life
  • Orientation and first-year experience
  • Student activities/student life
  • Student unions

Where do our master's in higher education alumni work?

UND Higher Education alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with many of the nation's colleges and universities. Some have taken a different route and are employed with:

  • Chartwells High Education
  • Career Development Center
  • Career Services, Inc.

Online Master's in Higher Education Courses

HE 503. Diversity Across Higher Education. 3 Credits.

The course intends to promote understanding of the diverse populations within higher education and to encourage students to examine their own attitudes regarding diversity and openness to other cultures. Examination of practice models for service delivery to diverse populations will help prepare students to develop management, leadership, and advocacy skills. The course will underscore the development of skills for working with individuals, small groups, and campus groups in relation to equity, diversity, and inclusion. On demand.

HE 511. Program Development. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the learning theories that undergird the design and delivery of educational programs and services. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to conduct needs assessments and outcomes assessments in-person and mediated environments. They will also learn and demonstrate program planning, development and implementation process. On demand.

EFR 509. Introduction to Applied Educational Research. 3 Credits.

An introduction to applied research methodologies used to study education. The course covers quantitative as well as qualitative types of research. The paradigms of both types of research will be contrasted and the application of the methodologies in actual research investigated. F,S,SS.

HE 529. Professional Competencies in Higher Education Administration. 3 Credits.

This course assists and prepares graduate learners who are completing a master's degree in higher education for the transition to a professional position in higher education and/or student affairs. S.

HE 507. Collegiate Environments. 3 Credits.

The course will discuss how student characteristics influence student educational and development needs, and the effects of the college experience on student learning and development. This course also will examine collegiate environments and how students' person-environment interactions affect their development. On demand.

HE 513. College Students and the Law. 3 Credits.

This course provides an overview of key legal issues that pertain to college students. Using a legal frame and analysis, the focus of the course surrounds administrative decision making, effective practices, and organizational policy design and implementation. On demand.

What to expect in UND's online higher education master's?

2#

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND's master's in Higher Education is 100% online. You never have to come to campus.

For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Higher Education Master's

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Education

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders in Education

UND students are prepared to be leaders in their field to motivate future generations.

Explore More Options

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional graduate education opportunities.

Dr. Zarrina Azizova
Program Director & Assistant Professor
P 701.777.3737

 

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