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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences:
MS in Higher Education (Quarter)

For students beginning their program May 27, 2024 or later.

The MS in Higher Education is designed for individuals who want to make a positive impact on students and staff in 4-year colleges, community colleges, and universities to enhance their institution’s ability to successfully contribute to social equity and positive change. Students will learn to think creatively and critically about the challenges facing higher education institutions and provide expertise in addressing these challenges. Learning activities emphasize the application of research-based best practices from business leadership and management, student learning and support, and systems thinking to maximize institutional effectiveness. Critical issues in higher education policy, administration, emerging technologies, legal and ethical issues, and governance are addressed throughout the program in the context of real-world problems facing today’s colleges.

Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification

This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, educator professionals will be able to:

  1. Apply an understanding of higher education systems, business principles, and student learning in solving institutional problems to drive institutional and student success.
  2. Make effective decisions based on critical evaluation of research and data.
  3. Articulate the perspectives and interests of multiple stakeholders.
  4. Choose leadership approaches appropriate to the culture of the organization.
  5. Demonstrate an ability to deploy resources to achieve intended results.
  6. Evaluate the potential impact of policies and processes on student outcomes.

Degree Requirements

  • 45 total quarter credits
  • Foundation course (5 quarter credits)
  • Core courses (15 quarter credits)
  • Specialization courses (20 quarter credits)
  • Capstone course (5 quarter credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Course (5 quarter credits)

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.

Core Courses (15 quarter credits)

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.

Additional Core Courses/Specialization Courses

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list under each specialization below.

Capstone Course (5 quarter credits)

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

MSHE 6155: Understanding Higher Education*

 5 quarter credits

MSHE 6156: Understanding Students: Learning, Development, and Diversity

 5 quarter credits
Quarter 2

MSHE 6157: Understanding Institutions: Organizational Behavior and Culture

 5 quarter credits

MSHE 6263: Best Practices for Student Success

 5 quarter credits
Quarter 3

Specialization Course #1

 5 quarter credits

Specialization Course #2

 5 quarter credits
Quarter 4

Specialization Course #3

 5 quarter credits

Specialization Course #4

 5 quarter credits
Quarter 5

MSHE 6960: Capstone: Master’s Project

 5 quarter credits

*Students enrolling in a midterm start date will take MSHE 6155A, a 6-week version of this course by itself in their first term.