Lead the Future of Higher Education — Fully Online, Finish in One Year.
The rapidly changing landscape of colleges and universities demands leaders with vision, agility, and expertise. In the fully online M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at ÐÔÊÓ½ç, you’ll build a foundation in organizational resilience, student affairs, academic strategy, finance, and leadership development. Designed for professionals ready to advance their careers in higher education, our program allows you to earn your master’s in less than 12 months, so your impact doesn’t have to wait.
Higher Education Administration Program Highlights
- Finish in one year — Our accelerated format helps you reach your personal and professional goals sooner.
- 100% online — Advance your career without putting your life on hold.
- 7-week courses, year-round — Focused, flexible structure fits the schedule of busy professionals.
- 30-hour program (transfer up to 6 credits) — Maximize what you’ve already done and shorten your path.
- Built-in leadership development — Courses are crafted to support resilient, effective higher-ed leaders.
- Cohort model with personalized support — You’ll study alongside other committed professionals and receive individualized mentoring.
Modality & Benefits
Get your master's degree in less than 12 months with this 100% online M.Ed. degree. Advance your career and upgrade your pay grade with this degree designed for working professionals.
Start Dates:
Fall & Spring
- Finish in 1 Year
- 100% Online
- 7-Week Courses – Fall, Spring & Summer Sessions
- 30-Hour Program, Transfer Up to 6
- 20-Hour Weekly Commitment (varies)
Higher Education Administration Curriculum
Degree Requirements
What You'll Learn & How You'll Use It
Your coursework isn’t just theory. It’s designed to meet the real demands of higher education today and tomorrow. You’ll learn from faculty who have served as presidents, provosts, vice presidents, deans, and student affairs leaders across a variety of institutions nationwide. Through weekly discussions and problem-solving assignments, you’ll immediately apply what you learn to your current role or future goals, building a toolkit you’ll carry throughout your career.
- Students & Student Centered Leadership
You begin with the heart of higher education: the learner. This course strengthens your understanding of today’s diverse student populations and equips you to lead environments where all students can thrive. You’ll focus on academic success, identity development, and student support models that keep learning at the center of strategic decisions. - Resilient Leadership in Higher Education
Leadership requires clarity, confidence, and the ability to adapt. Here, you’ll examine your strengths and values, explore strategies for resilience, and practice team dynamics that drive meaningful change. Projects like a leader interview and personal leadership portfolio help you define your growth path and leadership identity. - Finance & Planning in Higher Education
Behind every transformational campus experience is a sustainable financial strategy. This course provides the language of institutional finance, from budgeting to revenue streams to regulatory impacts, and shows how resource decisions shape access, equity, and long-term institutional health. - Higher Education Leadership Capstone
Your final course brings it all together. You’ll design and complete a hands-on project focused on solving a real challenge in higher ed. Whether you choose action research, policy development, or a leadership initiative, you’ll graduate with a professional deliverable that demonstrates capability and readiness to lead.
Next Steps for Your Degree in Higher Education Administration
Become a Transformative Practitioner
The need for qualified Postsecondary Education Administrators will grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031 (BLS). A master's degree is the standard entry point for these leadership positions.
Lead Where Students Learn, Grow, and Thrive
Graduates pursue roles such as:
- Dean of Students
- Assistant or Associate Dean
- Director of Student Affairs
- Director of Admissions or Enrollment
- Director of Residence Life or Housing
- Multicultural Affairs Director
- Director of Student Success & Retention
- Director of Academic Advising & Support Programs
You'll Find Our Graduates Serving
- Admissions Counselor, Clemson University
- Student Services, ÐÔÊÓ½ç
- Assistant Director of Student Success, ÐÔÊÓ½ç
- Executive Admissions Director, Presbyterian College
- Student Services, Presbyterian College
- Student Services, University of South Carolina
Next Steps for Your Degree in Higher Education Administration
- Industry Outlook
- Career Paths
- Recent Placements
Student Experiences
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration has helped me better understand the issues in higher education and has prepared me to navigate challenges in enrollment management and leadership. The coursework is rigorous and thought-provoking, but the program is designed with working professionals in mind. With dedication and careful time management, the program is manageable for students who want to complete their degree.
Leigh Lanford '25
Executive Director of Admissions, Presbyterian College
This program has given me the invaluable opportunity to strengthen my ability to connect with both students and leadership within my institution. The knowledge I've gained has truly transformed my approach to my work, and I owe it all to this program!
Danielle Dix '25
Coordinator for Peer Leadership Institution, University of South Carolina