Higher Education MEd – Online Program of Study
Program of Study
Our program places a strong emphasis on social justice and student success. We cast a wide net in our coursework, examining foundational writing and leading research in higher education, as well as delving into associated work in sociology, psychology, history, and economics. Drawing on this base, our students engage in assessment, evaluation, and research projects on student experiences and higher education organizations that contribute to current thinking in the field. To complete the degree, students develop a case study project in the capstone Integrative Seminar and orally present/defend their resulting work.
Students are required to complete a practicum placement at an institution of their choosing, with advisor approval. This opportunity involves 120 hours of practice in the field along with academic reflections integrating these experiences with scholarly work. Those students with more than five years of professional experience in higher education may opt to waive the practicum requirement in place of another elective.
The online master’s program is compliant with the guidelines created by Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). Students are not required to complete the CAS compliant version of the program, but they are encouraged to do so if their interests and schedules permit.
Refer to the Higher Education Program Graduate Student Handbook for more information.
This online master’s degree in higher education prepares professionals for careers in the administration of colleges and universities. Once admitted, students can take as many or as few courses per semester as fits their circumstances. Most students take one or two courses per term and complete the program in seven semesters. The asynchronous nature of the program allows students to “attend” class when it is convenient. All courses run a standard 12-13 week term during the fall, spring, or the full summer term (combined summer 1 & 2 terms). You complete a core of required foundation courses, a series of specialization courses, at least 120 hours of supervised practice, and a final integrative project. A minimum of 36 credit hours is required for the master’s degree.
Required Courses
All online master’s students are required to take the following courses (3 credits each):
- EDUC 643 Foundations of Higher Education
- EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education
- EDUC 682 Supporting Student Success
- EDUC 601 College Student Development Theory
- EDUC 641 Assessment, Evaluation & Research in Higher Education
- EDUC 698ED Higher Education Practicum*
- EDUC 675 Integrative Seminar
Also, it is required that online M.Ed. students choose one of the following classes:
- EDUC 621 Managing Higher Education
- EDUC 723 Organizing Higher Education
- EDUC 674 Leading Higher Education
* In consultation with advisors, students with five or more years of professional experience may waive the Practicum and choose an additional elective instead.
Sample Electives
- EDUC 614B Inclusive College Environments & Campus Cultures (3 credits)
- EDUC 659A Helping Skills for Higher Education Professionals (3 credits)*
- EDUC 674 Leading Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 674C Community College Foundations (3 credits)
- EDUC 692R Intro to College Teaching (3 credits)*
- EDUC 723 Organizing Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 748 Current Issues in Community Colleges (3 credits)
- EDUC 697EE Staffing the Digital Workplace (3 credits)*
- EDUC 621B Race, Class, and Gender in Higher Education (3 credits)
- Independent Study
- Students are also welcome to take electives in other online programs (Social Justice Education and International Education MEd - Online)
*These courses are not often offered online, but may be available upon request
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important semester dates including registration and add/drop.
Sample Program of Study (Full online MEd)
Sample program of study for students who take two courses a semester and one course in the summer. Please note that we have rolling admissions, so students can start in any term.
| Date | Course 1 | Course 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 - Fall | EDUC 643 Foundations of Higher Education | EDUC 601 College Student Development Theory |
| Y1 - Spring | EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education | Elective- EDUC 674 Leading Higher Education |
| Y1 - Summer | EDUC 641 Assessment, Evaluation & Research in Higher Education | |
| Y2 - Fall | Elective- EDUC 621 Managing Higher Education | EDUC 682 Supporting Student Success |
| Y2 - Spring | Practicum in Higher Education | Elective |
| Y2 - Summer | Elective- EDUC 723 Organizing Higher Education | |
| Y3 - Fall | Integrative Seminar | Elective |
Sample Program of Study (for Certificate Graduates)
Sample program of study for a student who applied after completing the five courses for the Higher Education Leadership & Administration graduate certificate. Please note that we have rolling admissions, so students can start in any term.
| Date | Course 1 | Course 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 - Fall | EDUC 682 Supporting Student Success | EDUC 601 College Student Development Theory |
| Y1 - Spring | EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education | (elective option) |
| Y1- Summer | EDUC 641 Assessment, Evaluation & Research in Higher Education | (elective option) |
| Y2 - Fall | Practicum or Elective | (elective option) |
| Y2 - Spring | Integrative Seminar | (elective option) |
The practicum and helping skills requirements may be waived and replaced with other electives for students who have five or more years of full-time professional experience in a higher education setting. Students should be sure to speak with their advisors about waivers when planning coursework.
Course Offerings
Fall 2025 Course Offerings - Classes in session now
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 643 (Univ+) | Foundations of Higher Education* | 3 |
| EDUC 723 (Univ+) | Organizing Higher Education | 3 |
| EDUC 682 (Univ+) | Supporting Student Success* | 3 |
| EDUC 601 (Univ+) | College Student Development Theory* | 3 |
| *Required course for M.Ed. |
Spring 2026 Course Offerings - Registration opens on Nov 10
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 614B (Univ+) | Inclusive College Environments & Campus Cultures | 3 |
| EDUC 644 (Univ+) | Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education* | 3 |
| EDUC 674 (Univ+) | Leading Higher Education | 3 |
| EDUC 674C (Univ+) | Community College Foundations | 3 |
| Practicum (698AP) and Integrative (675) are also available with permission from Program Coordinator | ||
| *Required course for M.Ed. (all others are electives) |
Summer 2026 Course Offerings - Tentative Schedule*
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 641 (Univ+) | Assessment, Research and Evaluation in Higher Education* | 3 |
| EDUC 643 (Univ+) | Foundations of Higher Education* | 3 |
| EDUC 621 (Univ+) | Organizing Higher Education (Session 2) | 3 |
| EDUC 748 (Univ+) | Current Issues in Community Colleges (Session 1) | 3 |
| Practicum (698AP) and Integrative (675) are also available with permission from Program Coordinator | ||
| *Required course for M.Ed. (all others are electives) |
You can refer to the academic calendar for important semester dates including registration and add/drop. Prior to the semester, on the Univ+ Explore Classes website you can search by term and program (Higher Education M.Ed.) to see classes and view more class information including tuition costs and dates.
For more information, please contact Annie Stephany at info-leadership [at] umass [dot] edu (info-leadership[at]umass[dot]edu).