Online Master’s Degree in Higher Education

Higher education, including high school, community colleges, and universities, require skilled leaders who set the pace and standards for excellence. Professors, department chairs, researchers, and high school principals can all benefit from an online Master’s Degree in Higher Education. Through this degree, students will gain a deep understanding of critical issues in higher education, management, and communication strategies, and policy issues. An online higher education master’s degree is essential in developing a competitive, organized, and well-managed educational program.

Online Master’s Degrees in Higher Education Requirements

Students pursuing online masters degrees in higher education often have a work experience in the field of education. Teaching, curriculum design, human resources and administration are desired areas for previous experience for applicants to a online higher education program. Experience working with adult learners and researching applicable topics is also important when beginning an online master’s in higher education. Students are also expected to hold strong written communication and reading comprehension skills.

Online masters in higher education require a bachelor’s degree before application. Common bachelor’s degrees held prior to pursuing an online master in higher education include:

• Bachelor of Arts, Education
• Bachelor Arts, Adult Education
• Bachelor of Arts, Higher Education
• Bachelor of Science, Education Research
• Bachelor of Science, Administration
• Bachelor of Science, Management

Those pursuing a higher education master’s degree online typically come to the program with a background working in the field of education. Some career choices for online higher education master’s degree students include adult education teacher, curriculum developer, online education program manager and high school principal.

Online Higher Education Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s degree programs in higher education typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of masters degrees offered by the best higher education master’s programs online include:

• Master of Science in Higher Education
• Master of Arts in Higher Education
• Master of Arts in Adult Education

Information on Higher Education Courses

Coursework for accredited online master’s degree programs in higher education involve teaching strategies, curriculum development, program management, and organization. While many of the best online master’s degrees in higher education specialize into a specific area of the field, they will require basic courses to ensure broad knowledge of the field. Some courses required to complete programs for higher education master degrees online include:

• Foundations of Higher Education
  This course offers an overview of contemporary issues, policies and practices that characterize the environment of higher education, including financial management, accreditation, curriculum, and institutional planning.
• Governance in Higher Education
  The organizational and administrative structures within the institutional hierarchy are explored as students examine the relationship between the university and the community it serves, the role of outreach in the modern university, and the role of faculty, staff, and student unions in academic operations, and risk management.
• Assessment
  This course offers an introduction to the institutional accreditation process. Best practices are presented for performing an institutional self-study, defining appropriate outcomes aligned with institution’s strategic plan as well as introduction to appropriate quantitative and qualitative assessment methods.
• Managing Campus Operations
  In this course, students examine detailed overview of key areas affecting campus operations that fall under finance and administration units including parking and transportation, non-exempt HR, facilities management, construction, risk management, and environmental health.
• Enrollment and Marketing
  This course gives students a comprehensive overview of principles and practices of strategic process including marketing and recruitment through graduation.

Specializations and Concentrations

Higher education is comprised of 6 common concentrations within the field. Students earning an online higher education master’s degree will have an opportunity to specialize in an area of particular interest. The work a student does in a concentration area provides them with extensive experience, a strong advantage when pursuing employment in this area, and potential internship opportunities. Specializations in an online master’s degree program in higher education include:

• Higher Education Administration & Organizational Management
• Institutional Advancement & Alumni Relations
• Financial Management in Higher Education
• Academic Development, Technology & Instruction
• Institutional Research & Planning
• Enrollment Management

Careers in Higher Education

Higher education involves a variety of disciplines, including teaching, finances, and leadership. An online master’s degree in higher education shows prospective employers commitment to the field of education, plus strong writing, reading and communicating skills.

Graduates of top online master’s programs in higher education may pursue the following career opportunities:

• Enrollment Manager
  An enrollment manager at an education institution handles marketing, process and administrative functions of the enrollment department. Enrollment managers earn an average of $58,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.
• Researcher
  A researcher develops data for an education institution, to allow for strong course offerings, student data and value of programming. A master’s degree is typically required for this position. Higher education researchers earn an average of $62,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.
• Financial Aid Manager
  A financial aid manager is responsible for the timely, accurate delivery of financial aid to students enrolled at the institution. Financial aid managers earn an average of $58,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.
• Curriculum Developer
  Curriculum developers analyze which courses are sought by students, and create programming to meet this need. A teaching background is desired for this position. Curriculum developers earn an average of $83,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.
• High School Administrator
  A high school administrator manages classroom issues, school codes, teacher recruitment and student achievement. A high school principal will need additional courses and internships beyond the master’s. A high school administrator earns an average of $88,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.

An online master’s degree in higher education provides students with the skills, knowledge, and practice to be contributing members of the education community in which they serve. A master’s degree in higher education will also offer numerous employment opportunities upon graduation.