Higher Education MEd
The Master’s degree with an emphasis in Higher Education is flexibly designed to provide a unique academic experience for practitioners who are or aspire to be employed in higher education or K-12 institutions, or private, community or government agencies focused in postsecondary transition opportunities. They would perform work related to a variety of career paths, which are provided below. The program includes an expanded focus which pertains to college access, equity and affordability, and workforce preparation, which complements the student services and higher education leadership emphases. The revised and integrated curriculum considers higher education student services practitioners, as well as 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.
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 are completed online.
Degree Requirements
| 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 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze and evaluate issues related to students and postsecondary/higher education institution practices using the history and sociology of higher education, organizational, and learning and development theories to support student success.
- Apply learning and development theories of program development/planning to diverse practice settings in postsecondary/ higher education.
- Apply leadership, organizational, evaluation, assessment, and management practices to professional work in postsecondary/higher education.
- Apply professional standards and principles of law, ethics, and social justice to postsecondary/higher education work.
- Collaborate with others related to the field of postsecondary/higher education to effectively facilitate problem solving and decision making through critical reflective practice.
- Demonstrate high-quality interpersonal skills, including academic and professional writing and presentation skills.