Administrative Leadership, MS: Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration
The master's concentration in adult, continuing, and higher education administration prepares students for positions of administration and leadership in business, community, and higher education environments. Potential careers include adult educators, trainers, human resource directors and administrators in vocational and technical education, university extension, continuing professional education, student advisors, managers of support programs for traditionally underrepresented students, student housing specialists, student programming specialists, business managers, and administrative positions at all levels of postsecondary education.
Students in the master’s degree with the concentration in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration can jointly earn a certification in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education or a certificate in Support Services for Online Students in Higher Education. In this case, the student must complete an application (including the application fee) for both programs (master’s program and certificate program).
The master’s degree programs are offered online and hybrid.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements to be considered for admission to the program. Applicants must also complete the reason statement in the application.
Credits and Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Foundations | ||
| AD LDSP 708 | Online Support Services in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education | 3 |
| AD LDSP 709 | Introduction to Higher Education Administration | 3 |
| AD LDSP 797 | College Student Identity and Development | 3 |
| Program and Organizational Leadership in Education | ||
| AD LDSP 710 | Organizational Change and Team Leadership | 3 |
| AD LDSP 747 | Strategic Planning and Budgeting in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education | 3 |
| AD LDSP 777 | Leadership in Multicultural Organizations | 3 |
| Adult Learning and Instructional Design | ||
| AD LDSP 687G | Instructional Design and Teaching Strategies | 3 |
| AD LDSP 757 | Principles and Foundations of Adult Education | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| The Politics of Education | ||
| Foundations of College Student Services | ||
| Current Topics in Administrative Leadership: | ||
| Women and Leadership in Education | ||
| Capstone | ||
| AD LDSP 886 | Developing Your ePortfolio in ACHEA | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the program of studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. A student who is not assigned to an advisor at time of admission should immediately contact the Department Chair.
Thesis or Master’s Paper
Optional. See Credits and Courses above.
Final Portfolio
As a capstone requirement, students who begin the program Fall 2011 and thereafter must develop and submit a comprehensive portfolio for review by faculty. The student must pass both the written part of the portfolio and the oral portfolio defense.
Comprehensive Examination
Students who began the program before Fall 2011 have the option of passing a written and/or oral final comprehensive examination as the capstone requirement.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment.
Administrative Leadership MS: ACHEA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration (ACHEA) program will be able to:
- Apply principles, theories, concepts, and research evidence guiding multicultural leadership in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration programs and organizations to communicate effectively with diverse populations and address issues of belonging, inclusivity, equity, and social justice.
- Apply principles, theories, concepts, and research on higher education services and adult learning and development to understand the nature, function, and history of ACHEA field.
- Use adult learning and college student development principles, theories, concepts, and research to develop and evaluate adult and college student affair processes and practices for quality and developmental impact, and to address challenges in professional practice.
- Design adult and higher education programs, interventions, and practices, articulating intended outcomes and employing evidence-based methods to determine the achievement of targeted results.
- Identify, explain, and contrast theories, concepts, principles, and research evidence that inform the use of technologies to enhance ACHEA instructional design, advising practices, and adult learning.
- Understand, interpret, and apply theories, principles, concepts, and research evidence to their current and future professional practice by utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-based reasoning to address issues effectively.