Higher education MA
Higher education professionals are interdisciplinary by nature. They synthesize research findings from the humanities, the social sciences, and the business sector in order to create and sustain education that is accessible, beneficial, and pioneering. This Higher Education (HE) track program prepares you with the professional experience and the theoretical knowledge for a career in working in and with higher education institutions and systems.
Our department’s specializations include administration and organization, policy, student affairs, equity-oriented change, and research integrity.
Upcoming virtual info session: higher education MA program
Meet program faculty and get answers to your questions about the higher education MA program on Wednesday, January 17 at 7pm Central (US).
Benefits
As a field, higher education is seeing rapid changes in its financial, political, and technological landscapes. Be prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow in the field that supports all other disciplines. In this program, you will learn how to:
- Unpack complicated issues in higher education and understand those issues from multiple vantage points,
- Assess the performance of institutions of higher education and their components, and
- Make informed administrative decisions based on the history, trends, and goals of an institution or unit to produce effective and impactful results.
Careers
This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:
- Academic advisor
- Career counselor
- Director of undergraduate admissions
- Financial aid advisor
- Director of residence life
- Director of student unions and activities
About our students
Quote from James Cooper
My greatest learning moments have stemmed from class discussions and open dialogues with faculty, staff, and fellow classmates. As a student in the Higher Education MA program, I have been able to surround myself with individuals who challenge me to exceed my self-assumed potential.
Coursework
This program offers two curriculum options: "Plan A" includes 34 credits (with master's thesis); "Plan B" includes 30 creadits (without a thesis, but with additional coursework). Both are completed in 2 years for for full-time students.
Program area
Plan A: 9 credits minimum, Plan B: 12 credits minimum
Selected from the following course offerings with advisor consultation and approval. Other courses as offered by HE program track faculty may also meet this requirement.
- OLPD 5001—Formal Organizations in Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5080—Special Topics: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
- OLPD 5704—College Students Today (3 cr)
- OLPD 5721—Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5724—Leadership and Administration of Student Affairs (2-3 cr)
- OLPD 5732—The Law and Postsecondary Institutions (3 cr)
- OLPD 5734—Institutional Research in Postsecondary Education (2-3 cr)
- OLPD 5736—Public Engagement and Higher Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 8702—Administration and Leadership in Higher Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 8703—Public Policy in Higher Education (3 cr)
Thesis—Plan A
10 credits:
- OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)
Research design and methods
3 credits minimum, both Plan A and B. Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
Colloquium paper—Plan B
The final Plan B paper is prepared under the guidance of advisor and committee and must represent no fewer than 120 hours of work. Choose from the following:
- OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (1-3 cr)
OR OLPD 5795-Plan B Research Design (3 cr)
Required
6 credits, both Plan A and B.
- OLPD 5701—U.S. Higher Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5709—Critical Issues in Higher Education (3 cr)
Related fields
6 credits outside HE, both Plan A and B.
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the HE program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. These credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis (Plan A) or colloquium paper (Plan B). These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
Research design and methods
3 credits minimum, both Plan A and B. Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
Required
6 credits, both Plan A and B.
- OLPD 5701—U.S. Higher Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5709—Critical Issues in Higher Education (3 cr)
Colloquium paper—Plan B
The final Plan B paper is prepared under the guidance of advisor and committee and must represent no fewer than 120 hours of work. Choose from the following:
- OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (1-3 cr)
OR OLPD 5795-Plan B Research Design (3 cr)
Related fields
6 credits outside HE, both Plan A and B.
The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the HE program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. These credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis (Plan A) or colloquium paper (Plan B). These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.
How to apply
Admission Deadline
Applications are due by February 1 for a Fall semester start.
Fall semester start only.
Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.
Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.
Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Admission Requirements
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: Undergraduate 3.0
Note: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
- TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above
(21 writing/19 reading) - IELTS = 6.5
Readmission
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
- Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.
Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.