Master of Education in Higher Education

The Master of Education in Higher Education is a 30-credit professional degree program designed to prepare students and professionals for the field of postsecondary education. The master's in higher education is offered through Penn State's Center for the Study of Higher Education and the Department of Education Policy Studies. The higher education program has been a part of Penn State for more than 50 years.  

Our higher education master's program is flexible. Many of our students are working professionals and choose to take one course at a time. Since almost all of our courses are offered in every term (fall, spring, and summer), other students choose to take two courses each term and complete their degree in five terms (a little over a year and a half) . This program offers students a broad introduction to careers, policies, administration, history, organization, and evaluation of postsecondary education programs and activities. A higher education master's is useful for entry-level professionals in a variety of administrative areas, those aspiring to become mid-level administrators of college and university offices, as well as practitioners in a variety of administrative functions desiring further professional development and career enhancement.

The master's in higher education online is offered with four emphasis areas:

• administration
• student engagement
• institutional research 
• fundraising leadership

All full-time faculty in the higher education program, which includes practitioners with significant administrative experience, contribute to the master's in higher education online courses. The program includes course work in the study of higher education institutions (careers, professional skills, history, administration, student clienteles, curricula, advising, institutional research, planning, and enrollment management). You will work closely with your faculty adviser to design a program of study that will help prepare you for a chosen career path.

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. No experience in a higher education setting is required for admission to the program.