<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/online-masters-in-higher-education/">Higher Education</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215	$58,560	89%
#2 Stony Brook University 310 Administration Building, Stony Brook, New York 11794	$11,310	78%
#3 Messiah University One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055	$13,050	77%
#4 Appalachian State University 287 Rivers St, Boone, North Carolina 28608	$4,839	73%
#5 Drexel University 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104	$36,234	78%
#6 Pennsylvania State University, World Campus 128 Outreach Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802	NA	NA
#7 Marywood University 2300 Adams Ave, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509	$9,888	70%
#8 Florida International University 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199	$8,912	67%
#9 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515	$7,847	62%
#10 Mississippi College 200 South Capitol Street, Clinton, Mississippi 39058	$12,060	63%
#11 University of Louisville 2301 S 3rd St, Louisville, Kentucky 40292	$13,524	62%
#12 Hofstra University 100 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549	$27,180	70%
#13 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	57%
#14 Dallas Baptist University 3000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211	$19,872	61%
#15 Georgia Southern University 1332 Southern Drive, Statesboro, Georgia 30460	$4,986	54%
#16 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601	$3,726	50%
#17 Capella University 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402	$14,784	50%
#18 Bay Path University 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01106	$19,235	51%
#19 Tiffin University 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883	$12,600	45%
#20 Louisiana State University 8100 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302	NA	27%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A master’s in higher education will broaden the knowledge of research, practice, and higher education policy, especially in academic affairs, diversity, student affairs, and community engagement. The coursework addresses important issues impacting postsecondary institutions and college students as well as emphasizes the connection between practice and theory. It also helps students realign their needs with campus support activities through policy analysis and strategic planning.  This program allows students who wish to pursue doctoral work to develop a solid foundation. They also participate in a community of students with learners from diverse professional and academic backgrounds. Higher education masters help graduates work in a variety of departments and offices in the higher education sector. The program is offered online and offline, depending on the school and the course content. The program consists of anywhere between 30 and 40 credit hours of graduate coursework. Based on the university and coursework, students must complete an internship or thesis project to meet their degree requirements.

Masters in Higher Education Degree Types

There are three types of higher education masters. Students can choose their masters based on their career goals and personal and professional interests. The options are Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education. 

Specializations in Masters in Higher Education Programs

At the graduate level, specialization helps students broaden their skillset and enhances their career prospects while leading to better pay. The online higher education master’s is in itself a specialization of a master’s in education program. However, some schools emphasize a particular area in higher education. Here are a few examples: 

Area of Specialization	Description	Institutions	Career Options
Leadership in Higher Education	This program focuses on a specific area of higher education, such as leadership, policy, virtual learning, and student support.		Graduates can work in various leadership positions at higher educational institutions.
Higher Education Administration	This program supports educators and administrative leaders who want to strengthen their professional competencies.		Graduates can work in the administration department of educational institutions.
Student Affairs	This program helps early-career professionals with skills, knowledge, and social justice perspectives in the areas of student development.		Graduates can work in the student affairs department in educational institutions.
Higher Education Policy, Research & Administration	This program helps students gain knowledge, establish a skill base, create policy, conduct research, and understand how to get into leadership and research roles in higher education.		Graduates can work in different areas of higher education administration such as recruitment, advising, student services, management and operations, research within higher education, etc.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Online Masters in Higher Education Programs

Online higher education master’s students will learn to put theory into practice and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. They will gain foundational knowledge about the present higher education landscape and sharpen their understanding of particular elements within the field. Some areas that higher education masters cover are advising, student services, recruitment, admissions, management and operations, institutional effectiveness, and research within higher education. Each curriculum has a set of core courses the students need to take to meet their coursework requirements. Here are some higher education courses that make up the 30 to 40 credit-curriculum: 

1. Student Development Theory – Student development theory suggests different development stages of college students and how they experience and think about the world. This theory helps higher education administrators improve their ability to help college students during their educational journey. 
2. Assessment in Student Affairs – Assessments in student affairs help higher education professionals determine if their efforts are meeting the developmental needs of students as well as the goals of their institution. 
3. Student Affairs Administration – This course focuses on the development and learning that occur in and outside the classroom and in all dimensions of life on the college campus. 
4. Critical Issues Seminar in Higher Education – This course covers current and critical issues which impact institutions and higher education leaders. 

Here are some other courses one can expect in a higher education master’s: 

• Educational Inquiry 
• Organizational Theory & Leadership in Higher Education 
• Higher Education in the U.S. 
• Basic Statistical Methods 
• Policy Issues in Education 
• Working with College Students 
• Philosophy of Education 
• Anthropology of Education 
• Sociology in Education 
• Education Policy and the Law 
• Introduction to Disciplined Inquiry 
• History of American Education 
• Diversity and Higher Education 
• Educational Evaluation 
• Media and Digital Technologies for Leadership in Higher Education 
• Law, Policy, and Finance in Higher Education 
• Queer(ing) Topics in Education 
• Gender Issues in Education 
• Introduction to Student Affairs 

In addition to core courses, students will have to choose their electives according to their professional interests. Depending on the program, they may also have to complete a capstone project or a thesis to fulfill the degree requirements. In some programs, students will have to complete an internship as a part of their program. 

By pursuing an online master’s in higher education program, students gain specific skills which prepare them for various careers. Some such skills include the ability to: 

• explore pollical, cultural, and social dynamics of student affairs; 
• exhibit leadership qualities grounded in effective practice and theory; 
• competently assess and incorporate quantitative and qualitative research to real-world issues in higher education; 
• positively influence student adjustments to academic performance, college life, and completion of a degree; 
• describe, comprehend, and analyze ideas, studies, and theories relevant to higher education; 
• promote the development of diversity and opportunity throughout higher education; 
• apply the necessary theory, knowledge, and methods to critically evaluate and analyze relevant higher education policy; 
• effectively define, comprehend, and analyze studies and theories exposing unfair educational opportunities, policies, and practices in higher education institutions;  
• comprehend relevant organizational, historical, financial, governance, diversity, campus environments, policy, and other contemporary issues concerning higher education; and 
• Use both written and oral modes of communication to display strong and effective communication abilities.

Accreditation for Online Masters in Higher Education Programs

An accredited institution is a post-secondary institution that goes through the process of evaluation to maintain the standards of educational quality. It is an indication that universities and colleges have met or exceeded basic education standards. Students should pursue an online higher education masters from a college that has been nationally or regionally accredited. In most instances, it is common for reputed institutions to be accredited by regional accrediting agencies such as: 

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) 
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) 
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) 
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 

The accreditation status of a college can be checked on the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) official websites. 

To know more about accreditation and its importance, read the Accreditation Guide. 

Timeline for graduation from Online Masters in Higher Education Programs

Online higher education masters programs are available in both full-time and part-time formats. Students opting for full-time programs usually earn their degrees in about 2 years, while part-time students require 3 to 5 years. Part-time students will have the advantage of working while studying, with a flexible schedule made available to them. Overall, the online master’s in higher education requires 30 to 40 credits, depending on the school, specialization, and program.

Online Masters in Higher Education Programs Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for a master’s in higher education are essentially the same across universities. Nevertheless, each university may have additional requirements that the prospective student needs to meet to get admission into the program. Here are the typical higher education masters requirements: 

• Application Form with its prescribed fee 
• Official Academic Transcripts 
• An Undergraduate Degree from an Accredited Institution 
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 GPA or more 
• Minimum two Letters of Recommendation 
• A Personal Statement outlining interests and personal experience in Higher Education 
• A Graduate Résumé 
• GRE Scores (varies by institution)

When it comes to free courses, none lead to a master’s degree, and most institutions or the industry do not recognize them. Free courses are beneficial for gaining some additional knowledge on the subject. Students keen on increasing their knowledge can choose to do a free course. Here are some free courses in the study of higher education: 

Course	Provided by	Description
Topics Related to Higher Education	Coursera	One of the most popular online learning platforms, Coursera offers free and paid courses in several aspects of education, such as Instructional Design, Special Education, Adult Education, Teaching, Online Teaching, Pedagogy, Educational Technology, etc.
Topics Related to Higher Education	The Open University	The Open University offers tens of topics related to higher education studies across three levels – introductory, intermediate, and advanced. Topics include Careers Education and Guidance, Childhood in the Digital Age, Employee Engagement, The Importance of Interpersonal Skills, and more.
Topics Related to Higher Education	Udemy	Udemy provides higher education aspirants with over 200 free courses on topics ranging from Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education and Raising and Sustaining the Bar of Excellence in Education to Decoding the Recipe of Education & Skilling in the 21st Century to Learn Psychological Perspective of Education and learning.

Graduates of online higher education masters can work in a wide range of settings with diverse job titles. Some of the main places they usually work in are colleges and universities, enhancing their students’ lives in various areas of education.  

There are various job titles one can take up in different areas of education after the completion of a masters in higher education. Some of the common higher education jobs are: 

• Educational Consultant 
• Residential Life Coordinator 
• Fundraising Officer 
• Postsecondary Education Administrator 
• Administrator or Admissions Dean 
• Student Services Dean 
• Education or Career Counselors 
• Financial Aid Director 
• Instructional Coordinators 
• Provost or Vice President 
• Student Engagement Outreach Specialist 
• Postsecondary Teachers (at some Community Colleges) 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), education occupations are projected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The sectors of education, training, and library will add about 920,500 new jobs in the same period. The following list highlights the statistical data of different job positions after obtaining a master’s in higher education:  

Occupation	Skills Required	Median Annual Salary	Job Growth (up to 2030)	Job Description
Postsecondary Education Administrators	Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, computer skills	$96,910	8% (as fast average)	Administrators in postsecondary education are in charge of academics, faculty research, and student services at colleges and universities. Their job responsibilities differ depending on the division in which they are employed, such as admissions, student affairs, or the registrar’s office.
School and Career Counselors and Advisors	Listening skills, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, speaking skills, compassion	$60,510	11% (faster than average)	School counselors assist students in creating academic, social, and post-graduation plans. Career counselors and advisors assist students and other clients with skill development, employment exploration, and selection of educational paths leading to careers.
Training and Development Managers	Collaboration skills, critical-thinking skills, communication skills, business skills, instructional skills, leadership skills, decision-making skills	$120,130	11% (faster than average)	Training and development managers are responsible for managing training programs, personnel, and budgets, and also plan, coordinate, and drive staff skill- and knowledge-enhancement initiatives. They are in charge of designing and developing training programs or choosing the course materials and content for training programs.
Instructional Coordinators	Interpersonal skills, communication skills, analytical skills, decision-making skills, leadership skills	$63,740	10% (as fast as average)	Instructional coordinators are responsible for school curricula and teaching standards. They create educational materials, put them into practice with teachers and administrators, and evaluate the efficacy of curricula and instructional methods mandated by school boards, state departments, or federal regulations.

Getting a certification in a specific area within a subject helps in broadening one’s knowledge as well as increasing one’s job prospects. Typically, no particular certification is required for higher education professionals. But if they wish to strengthen their expertise in a specific area, they can pursue a graduate certificate or a certificate in that area. Here are some of the certificate programs for online higher education masters students and professionals: 

1. Graduate Education Certificate Programs – Drexel University’s School of Education offers 14 graduate certificate programs on different topics in education. They offer a series of courses that lead to knowledge in a particular area of higher education. 
2. Certificate Program in Student Affairs and Higher Education Administration – The Student Affairs Certificate will provide students with the knowledge to foster engagement and relationships, work with diverse student bodies, and better understand the higher education landscape. 
3. Certified Higher Education Professional (CHEP) Certification – Employees of career-oriented institutions who are seeking excellence in their prospective positions can get the Certified Higher Education Professional (CHEP) certification. This certification is awarded by Career Education Colleges and Universities, which is an international association representing the vision and voice of postsecondary career education. 

Additional resources are helpful for graduates to keep themselves up to date in their field. Connecting with peers and staying relevant to the advances in universities and the industry is crucial. By making good use of resources, students and working professionals get to know about the latest changes or updates that take place in their field.  Here are some excellent resources for graduates of master’s in higher education online programs: 

1. Education USA – Education USA offers several resources and information for people working in higher education sectors in the United States. It offers services to the higher education community in the country to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus goals. It provides resources on various programs, education networks, online services, educational seminars, and special programs. 
2. Pearson – Pearson offers services and products for teaching to help their students increase their knowledge and explore their potential. It provides personalized content apps and other digital resources for higher education. In addition, Pearson also offers services and products for higher education institutions to overcome challenges and realize opportunities for growth and change.   
3. National Education Association (NEA) – The National Education Association (NEA) supports higher education professionals by helping them advocate for fair pay, academic freedom, safe working conditions, and so on. By providing the necessary resources and skills, NEA also helps in professional growth, leadership development, research, and data analysis. 
4. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) – The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provides statistical information on all aspects of education/post-secondary institutions. It collects, collates, analyses, and reports data related to all levels of education in the United States. 
5. American Educational Research Association (AERA) – The American Educational Research Association (AERA), established in 1916, is dedicated to enhancing the educational process by fostering scholarly investigation into education and evaluation as well as by promoting the distribution and practical application of research findings. AERA offers graduate students and professionals a wealth of resources such as events and meetings, education research tools, publications, information on policy and advocacy, etc.