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Higher Education Administration (M.Ed.)

Colleges and universities are growing in key areas that support their missions and students. The M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration prepares you for professional roles in higher education administration, consulting firms, state education agencies, or related nonprofits.

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Higher Education Administration At a Glance

  • A full-time education administration program that focuses on student affairs, enrollment management and higher education policy
  • 36-credit hours with flexible elective coursework and a built-in practicum
  • Option to accelerate degree completion through online and summer courses
  • Strong career outcomes, with 93% of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate study within four months of graduation

Higher Education Administration Program Overview

As a student in the Higher Education Administration program, you will engage in a slate of required courses that are firmly grounded in the bodies of theory, research and conceptual understandings that scholars of higher education and other academic disciplines have produced.

You will also have the opportunity to customize your field of study through elective course offerings, and all students complete an immersive practicum within a college, university, government agency or non-profit organization.

  • 2-year, 36-credit-hour program
  • Can be completed in one year by enrolling in online and summer courses
  • Hands-on opportunities to apply coursework to real-world settings
  • Faculty-led research in various areas of higher education and policy
  • Tuition and stipend support available

What is the M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Peabody College?

For aspiring professionals seeking education careers that matter, a degree in higher education administration is designed to develop leaders. The M.Ed. program at Peabody College is designed for those who plan to enter administrative positions in higher education, state education agencies or postsecondary-related nonprofits.

Through integrated coursework and practicum experiences, students in the higher education administration program will explore areas such as student affairs and enrollment management and examine local, state and national policies that impact higher education.

What Can I Do With a Master’s in Higher Education Administration?

For aspiring professionals in search of education careers that matter, a Higher Education Administration (M.Ed.) degree is designed to produce leaders. The Higher Education Administration program is for students who plan to enter administrative roles at colleges and universities, state education agencies, or postsecondary-related nonprofits.

Through integrated coursework and practicum experiences, students in the Higher Education Administration program will have the opportunity to explore areas such as student affairs and enrollment management and examine local, state, and national policies that impact higher education.

Careers in Higher Education Administration

Of job-seeking graduates, 93% were employed or attending graduate school within 6 months of graduation. Explore a handful of our graduate’s higher education administration jobs:

  • Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, Northwestern University
  • Research Fellow, Kentucky Council on Secondary Education
  • Recruiting Coordinator, Office of Career and Professional Development, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Assistant Director of College Counseling, The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Associate Director of College Counseling, Chadwick School, Los Angeles, California
  • Assistant Director of Law Admissions, Chapman University, Orange, California
  • Student Experience Program Coordinator, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
  • Higher Education Strategy & Operations Consulting Analyst, Huron Consulting Group, New York, New York
  • Academic Advisor, UNC Charlotte
  • Program Coordinator, What Works Cities, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Assistant Director, Law School Alumni Relations, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
  • Coordinator, Student Accountability and Academic Integrity, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Karla Coleman García, M.Ed.

"I rely on the data analysis and data research skills I learned through the HEA program in using data to drive actionable change in local and state education policy."

Karla Coleman-Castillo, M.Ed., Senior Policy Analyst, National Women's Law Center

Explore education policy, leadership and administration, and the right path for you.

Higher Ed. Admin M.Ed. Program Facts

Program Director: Emily House
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 36

Key Application Dates

  • Priority Decision 1

    January 3*

  • Priority Decision 2

    February 3

  • Rolling Decision

    After February 3

*For more information on application dates and requirements, and the benefits of Priority Decision, see the How to Apply page.

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M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration Program Curriculum

The Master’s in Higher Education Administration is a 2-year, full-time program that requires you to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework. The courses are firmly grounded in the bodies of theory, research, and conceptual understandings that scholars of higher education and other academic disciplines have produced.

These courses also stress the application of theory, conceptual understandings, and research to issues of policy and practice embedded in both the external and internal environments of higher education.

You can accelerate and complete the program within one year by enrolling in online and summer course offerings. 

Higher Ed Administration Master’s Courses

  • Core Courses

    Core Courses

    You will be required to complete 24 credit hours composed of the following courses:

    • HEA 6010 - College & University Governance
    • HEA 6110 - Introduction to Enrollment Management
    • HEA 6520 - Theories of Student Affairs
    • HEA 6030 - Postsecondary Access
    • HEA 6040 - State & Federal Government in Higher Education
    • HEA 6020 - Nature & Function of Higher Education
    • LPO 7860, LPO 7870 - Research Design & Data Analysis I and II 

    Practicum

    You will be required to complete a three-hour practicum:

    • HEA 7950 Practicum in Higher Education Administration
  • Practicum

    You will be required to complete a three-hour practicum:

    • HEA 7950 Practicum in Higher Education Administration
  • Elective Courses

    Elective Courses

    You will be required to complete twelve hours of elective courses. These courses may be taken across Peabody College, as well as in other disciplines offered across Vanderbilt University upon consultation with your faculty advisor. Below are some elective options you might choose; note this is not an exhaustive list.

    • College and University Finance
    • Education Law
    • Grants Policy and Administration
    • Ed Policy and Program Evaluation
    • Comparative Issues in Higher Education
    • Executive Coaching
    • Learning Organizations

Featured Master’s in Higher Education Administration Faculty

Brenda McKenzie, associate professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations

Brenda McKenzie, associate professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations

Professor McKenzie has more than 20 years of professional experience in higher education and student affairs in areas including leadership development, orientation and new student programs, and residential life. Her research examines the experiences of female-identified higher education leaders in leading during crisis.

Kelly Slay, assistant professor of higher education and public policy

Kelly Slay, assistant professor of higher education and public policy

Professor Slay examines issues of race, diversity, and equity in higher education and is primarily focused on three areas: the factors shaping Black students' college choice, completion, and career trajectories; the use and implications of enrollment management policies (admissions, recruitment and financial aid) aimed at improving campus diversity, particularly in post-affirmative action contexts; and racial and gender inequities in STEM in undergraduate and graduate education.

Higher Ed Administration Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is higher education administration?

    Higher education administration focuses on the leadership, management and policy functions that support colleges and universities, including student affairs, enrollment management, academic services and institutional operations.

  • What is a Master’s in Higher Education Administration?

    A Master of Education in Higher Education Administration (M.Ed.) is a graduate degree that prepares professionals for administrative and leadership roles across higher education institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

  • How is Peabody’s MHEA degree different from other education administration programs?

    This master’s program in higher education administration is focused on colleges and universities rather than K–12 systems and emphasizes higher education policy, student affairs, enrollment management and university administration.

  • What can I do with a master’s degree in higher education administration?

    Graduates pursue careers in admissions, student affairs, academic advising, enrollment management, policy analysis, alumni relations and higher education consulting, with roles across public and private colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations.

  • What jobs are available in higher education administration?

    Jobs in higher education administration include positions such as admissions director, academic advisor, student services coordinator, enrollment manager, program administrator, higher education strategy or operations consultant and more.

  • How long does it take to complete the M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Peabody College?

    The program requires 36 credit hours and is typically completed in two years full-time, with an option to accelerate completion in one year through online and summer course offerings.

  • What courses are included in the Higher Education Administration M.Ed. program?

    HEA courses cover topics such as college and university governance, student affairs, enrollment management, postsecondary access, higher education policy, research design and data analysis and more.

  • Does this higher education master’s program include hands-on experience?

    Yes. All students complete a required practicum that provides hands-on experience in a college, university, government agency or nonprofit organization related to higher education administration.

  • What are the outcomes for graduates of this higher education administration degree?

    93% of job-seeking graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate study within four months of graduation, with alumni working in university administration, higher education leadership, consulting and policy roles.

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