MA Higher Education Leadership

The Masters of Arts in Higher Education Leadership is designed to provide professionals dedicated to the field of higher education with the skills and ability to make an impact at colleges and universities.  The program prepares individuals to find meaningful work as academic and student services educators and professionals in institutions of higher education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. It features equity-driven leadership, which challenges educators and professionals to address practices, policies, and barriers that perpetuate inequities in our society. In the field of higher education, leaders must learn how to think critically about inequality and oppression not only to combat institutional discrimination and bias (both explicit and implicit) but also to eliminate disparities in educational outcomes. 

All students in the Higher Education Leadership Program take courses in the leadership core. These courses are designed to enhance students’ understanding of leadership theory, its practical applications, and how to view leadership through a restorative justice lens that focuses on identifying and addressing harms that exist in higher education environments. Students also take courses in the higher education core. These courses are designed to give students a strong foundation in higher education policy, history, organizational structures and diversity, as well as an exposure to the implications each has for leaders in higher education.

The program’s capstone is a year-long action research project.

Students work closely with their advisor to design a program responsive to their professional goals.  Students can choose to pursue these graduate certificates as part of their degree (in some cases more than 36 units will be required to earn both the MA and a certificate).

1. Leadership Coaching Certificate,

2. Restorative Justice Leadership and Facilitation Certificate, or

3. Interdisciplinary Certificate in Trauma Awareness and Resilience.

Students design their project in the Action Research Design and Methodology course and then undertake the project as a way to study and implement a leadership experience designed to have a meaningful impact in higher education. Students design, lead, implement and evaluate a changemaking initiative in higher education that addresses the issues most important to them. At the end of the program, students are well-positioned to make an impact throughout their careers. 

Additional Admission Requirements

See the Admission page for basic admission requirements.