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Master of Education in Education Administration: Higher Education Option, M.Ed.

Become a leader in higher education with UMass Lowell's flexible and affordable online M.Ed. in Education Administration: Higher Education option.

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Michael Kalenoski- M.Ed in Education Administration, Higher Ed Option
Alarm Clock Next Start Date: January 21

Online M.Ed. in Education Administration, Higher Education Option

Make a lasting impact on the future success of higher education institutions with UMass Lowell's Master of Education in Education Administration: Higher Education Option. This online M.Ed. will provide the knowledge you need to manage change and tackle the many challenges facing colleges and universities today. During the academic year, courses are delivered through a live online format, with summer courses offered in the traditional online format.

This program serves aspiring and established professionals in higher education, including those who hold positions in different areas of higher education (e.g., academic affairs, residential life, admissions or advising) and those interested in doctoral studies. Individuals who have worked in non-traditional learning environments, or who are seeking to work at an institution of higher education are also encouraged to apply. Applicants to this program are automatically considered for a Graduate Fellowship.

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Earn a Top-Ranked Master's for Under $15k

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No GRE/MTEL Required

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

Career Outlook

187,970
Jobs (2020)
+12.6%
% Change (2020-2021)
$96.7K/yr
Median Earnings
28,680
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2022
"Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, with expected growth resulting from increasing student enrollment in colleges and universities. The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $97,500 in May 2020."
— U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021

Key Takeaways

Deepen your knowledge of a range of topics, including:

  • Theory, research and practice related to scholarship, teaching, change and innovation in higher education
  • The cognitive, moral, psycho/social, environmental and identity development of college students
  • Global learning trends and challenges, and their impact on the college campus
  • The admission, retention and achievements of minorities in higher education
  • Models of program evaluation and their effect on decision making
  • Effective practices in the planning, design and implementation of employee engagement and professional development

Questions

For more information about the Master of Education in Education Administration: Higher Education Option, M.Ed., please contact A.J. Angulo, Ed.D. at AJ_Angulo@uml.edu.
Best Online Education Program in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report Ranked as the Best Online Graduate Education Program in New England

Curriculum Outline

- 10 courses / 30 credits
- It is recommended that students take no more than two courses in any one semester.

This program requires 30 credits of graduate study. All candidates must complete 18 credits of required coursework consisting of six credits of foundations, three credits of research and nine credits of core courses. Additionally, each candidate must choose six credits of elective study and six credits of capstone/practical training experiences. Students may petition to have a maximum of six, non-degree credit hours transferred into the program. The School of Education reviews petitions and grants credit on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates who are working in UMass Lowell's Division of Student Affairs will complete two semesters of substantial capstone/practical training at the end of their M.Ed. coursework. The capstone will be supervised and evaluated jointly by an appropriate supervisor in the division and a faculty member from the School of Education. Candidates who are not engaged in work within the Division of Student Affairs will complete six credits of capstone coursework in which they plan and implement a program within their institution of higher education designed to further the goals of their department, improve procedures or maximize the efficient operation of a particular group. The project must be planned and approved by the candidate's current supervisor (there are no placement services for this option) as well as by the School of Education faculty member overseeing the course.

Course Descriptions

EDUC.6010 Leadership, Law & Policy in Higher Education (3cr)

This course examines theory, research and practice that inform us about the problem of scholarship, teaching, change and innovation in higher education. Students study academic life in the larger context of the institutional structure.

EDUC.6080 Student Development Theory (3cr)

the Student Development Theory course will provide students with a theoretical background in the developmental processes of college students. The course will cover pertinent models of student development pertaining to cognitive, moral, psycho/social, environmental, and identity development. Students will gain an understanding of each theory, and understand their practical application.

EDUC.6101 Theories of Learning (3cr)

This course offers a detailed analysis of the major contemporary learning theories, both behavioral and cognitive.

EDUC.6110 Introduction to Higher Education (3cr)

This course provides an overview of the post secondary education system in the United States. It offers an interdisciplinary examination of contemporary colleges and universities with special attention to purposes, institutions, governance, and stakeholders.

EDUC.6125 Global Perspectives on Higher Education (3cr)

This course explores why higher education today is in the midst of a global revolution. We will examine trends in our current age of globalization and how these trends have impacted the college campus. We will also ask hard questions about why students, faculty, universities, and entire nations seek international exchanges, what they get out of all this movement, and how it relates to the expanding significance of global citizenship. Our goal is to move beyond the "food, flags, and festivals" view of global learning and toward meaningful research agendas about the role of higher education in an age of global opportunities and global challenges.

EDUC.6411 Fostering a Learning Organization in Higher Education (3cr)

This course will explore approaches to employee engagement and professional development. Organizational learning and adult learning theories will be introduced as mechanisms for delivering effective practices in the planning, design, and implementation of (1) employee knowledge, competency, and capacity-building practices and programs and (2) strategies for fostering a learning organization.

EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation (3cr)

Evaluation tasks will be identified and the policy issues attendant to evaluation will be examined. Students will identify and discuss several models of program evaluation, understand what needs to be considered and addressed in needs assessment, and learn to identify an appropriate design for a new evaluation. Students will be expected to conduct program evaluation, present their ideas and illustrate how evaluation results can be useful for program decision making.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.6520 Change and Conflict in Higher Education (3cr)

Examines theories in the changing process, strategies for effective adoption and implementation of innovations and conflict resolution.

Requirements:

EDUC.6110 Introduction to Higher Education Administration.

EDUC.6601 Diversity in Higher Education 08.660) (3cr)

Focuses on the preparation, admission, retention, and achievements of minorities in higher education, both past and present.

EDUC.6701 Practicum I: Higher Education Option (3cr)

The Practicum I: Higher Education is the first of two culminating requirements for those students striving to earn the M.Ed. in Education Administration: Higher Education Option. Practicum I and II require students to engage in a project that demonstrates the practical application of their knowledge and skills in real-life higher education leadership activities and responsibilities over the course of two semesters; both semesters involve significant leadership work in partnership with a supervisor/mentor in an appropriate higher education site. Selection of the focus and scope of the project will be tailored to students area of focus in the Higher Education Option and their current work responsibilities.

Requirements:

Pre-Req: M.Ed. matriculated only

EDUC.6710 Practicum II: Higher Education (3cr)

Practicum II: Higher Education is the second in the series of two culminating requirements for those students striving to earn the M.Ed. in Education Administration: Higher Education Option. Similar to Practicum I (08.670), Practicum II (08.671) requires students to engage in the continuation of the project form Capstone I that demonstrates the practical application of their knowledge and skills in real-life higher education leadership activities and responsibilities over the course of the semester. Both Practicum semesters involve significant leadership work in partnership with a supervisor/mentor in an appropriate higher education site. Practicum II content will be tailored to students' area of focus in the Higher Education Option and their current work responsibilities.

Requirements:

EDUC.6701 Practicum I: Higher Ed.Option

MGMT.5010 Organizational Behavior (2cr)

Introduces students to management and organizational behavior. Its general purpose is to study and understand the behavior of individuals and groups in organizations. It is directed toward behavioral action components and emphasizes the close relationship between the study of organizational behavior and the practice of management. Pre-requisites: MBA or Certificate Programs, or Permission of MBA Director.

Requirements:

MBA/ MSF/MSEM/MGFB/PSM or PHD.

MKTG.5010 Marketing Fundamentals (2cr)

Describes how marketing strategies and plans of a competitive enterprise are formulated, implemented, and adjusted over time. Behavioral and quantitative aspects are covered, as well as analysis of the environmental forces affecting marketing decisions. Pre-requisites: MBA or Certificate Programs, or Permission of MBA Director.

Requirements:

MBA/ MSF/MSEM/MGFB/PSM or PHD.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Spring 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate

Online Education1 $470 $1,410
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to EDUC courses excluding 7000-level courses.

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Applying into a Graduate Degree Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
    • An application
    • An application fee ($50)
    • A statement of purpose
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • A resume
    • Official test scores
        • GRE not required
        • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
            • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
            • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
            • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
            • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
            • Pearson Test of English: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.000 GPA from an accredited institution

Additional Information

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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