Adult and Higher Education MEd, Higher Education Emphasis
The Master’s degree with an emphasis in Higher Education has been flexibly designed to include an expanded focus related to college access, equity and affordability, social justice, and workforce preparation, as well as student services and higher education leadership. In addition to student services professionals in postsecondary education settings, the revised curriculum also considers K-12 teacher leaders and college and career preparation professionals who aim to transform the college access and workforce preparation culture for K-12 and postsecondary education institutions in order to champion success for ALL students.
Our innovative program aims to provide the foundational tools practitioners desire to consider several career pathways:
- STUDENT AFFAIRS professionals (student life; residential life; student conduct; admissions and recruitment; financial aid; international student services; diversity, equity and inclusion; etc.)
- ACADEMIC AFFAIRS professionals (academic and career advising/coaching professionals in higher education institutions; registrar/registration; faculty support)
- Pre-Collegiate programming, including TRIO, Bridge, Talent Search, and Upward Bound
- College preparation and access advocacy and support that is provided by agencies such as College Bound, Wyman Center, College Advising Corps, AmeriCorps, and Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
- Independent college preparation and career readiness professionals interested in establishing private practice focused in this area
- College and Career Advising in Charter Schools
- College and career readiness public policy development within state and federal agencies
- Organizing, mobilizing, and leading advocacy efforts related to public policy formulation and analysis for national higher education and professional associations, including the American Council on Education, NASPA, etc., as well as higher education think tanks and non-profit research and advocacy organizations, such as the Institute for Higher Education Policy.
- Child victimization, maltreatment and trauma advocacy and support for K-12 and postsecondary students
Admission Requirements
This degree program follows the policies of The College of Education and the Graduate School relating to academic standards, residency, transfer credit, time limitations, and thesis options (see Graduate Study in the Bulletin).
Applicants must meet the general graduate admission requirements of the Graduate School, described in the UMSL Bulletin. Students are considered for admission to the graduate program in Adult and Higher Education only after they have formally applied for admission through the Graduate School. Applications may be completed on-line.
| ED PSY 6474 | Understanding the Psychosocial Development of Emerging Adults | 3 |
| or HIGHERED 6474 | Understanding the Psychosocial Development of Emerging Adults | |
| HIGHERED 6405 | Financial Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6408 | Legal Issues in Student Affairs | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6430 | The Community College | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6473 | Curriculum in Higher Education | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6475 | College Access and Career Preparation for the Emerging Adult | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6476 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6477 | History and Philosophy of American Higher Education | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6478 | Enrollment Management and Student Retention | 3 |
| HIGHERED 6900 | Internship (may be taken over 1-3 semesters) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |