Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Online 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 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. Because 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 and 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.
What Makes Our Online M.Ed. in Higher Education Different?
The master's in higher education online is offered with three emphasis areas:
- administration
- student engagement
- institutional research
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.
Courses
The Master of Education in Higher Education program of study is composed of:
- required courses in the study of higher education — 15 credits
- culminating experience — 3 credits
- elective courses which provide greater depth of study in an area of interest to the student, including an internship experience — 6 credits
- focus courses in an area of professional practice in higher education — 6 credits
Note that students have the option of taking elective courses in an area of professional practice or designing their own program of study from electives offered in higher education or other relevant areas in the College of Education.
If you are a student interested in earning both the certificate in Institutional Research and the M.Ed. in Higher Education from Penn State, you will need a minimum of 36 credits to earn both the 30-credit M.Ed. and the 15-credit certificate.
Required Courses (15 credits)
Culminating Experience (3 credits)
Emphasis Area (6 credits)
Administration (6 credits)
Student Engagement (select 6 credits)
Institutional Research (select 6 credits)
Electives (select 6 credits)
Choose from a list of elective courses in higher education with approval of a faculty adviser to satisfy 1–9 credits of this requirement.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,007 per credit |
12 or more | $12,082 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, should be received by the following deadline to be considered complete.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. All of your materials including reference letters must be submitted before the application deadline to be considered for admission. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Statement of Purpose — A written essay discussing your professional goals and how the study of higher education will bring you closer to realization of those goals.
Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application.
Start Your Application
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Applying as a Nondegree Graduate Student
Apply as a "nondegree" graduate student to begin taking courses right away. If you are taking courses as a nondegree graduate student, you must apply to the master's degree to be considered for admission into the Master of Education in Higher Education. In the graduate school application:
- Select "Nondegree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Master of Education in Higher Education, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Education, please contact:
Diane Lupp
Administrative Support Assistant
Higher Education Program
The Pennsylvania State University
Phone: 814-863-2690
[email protected]
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]
Faculty
-
Allie Goldstein
-
DegreePh.D., Higher Education, Penn State
-
DegreeM.A., Postsecondary Educational Leadership with emphasis in Student Affairs, San Diego State University
-
DegreeB.A., Communications, State University of New York at Buffalo
Dr. Allie Goldstein is an assistant professor for the higher education program offered through Penn State World Campus. Her research, which focuses on online education, examines how predominantly residential institutions can create engagement opportunities and affinity-building activities for their online students.
-
-
Karen Paulson
-
DegreePh.D., Higher Education, Penn State
-
DegreeM.S., Metallurgical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
-
DegreeM.S., Administration, Higher and Continuing Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
-
DegreeB.S., Ceramic Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Karen Paulson is a professor and coordinator of online programs for the higher education program. She came to Penn State in September 2015 after 19 years of working with state and institutional policymakers at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems in Boulder, Colorado. Her areas of expertise include assessment, evaluation, accreditation, and the use of data. She has worked at nearly 60 postsecondary institutions and in 45 states.
-