MSEd in Higher Education Administration

• For additional program information see the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs website

The Masters of Science in Education, Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA) prepares students for leadership and supervisory positions in higher education institutions, as well as in advocacy organizations and research centers focused on post-secondary education. The curriculum covers key aspects of college administration, including governing institutions, organizing academic departments and offices, delivering student services, preparing and implementing budgets, managing collective bargaining, and conducting educational research. Contemporary topics are explored, such as online education, change management, and the globalization of higher education. In addition to SPA faculty, senior CUNY administrators teach in the program. Graduates pursue careers as executives, directors, coordinators, and analysts of programs and services.

A total of 36 credits are required for the degree if an internship is not needed. Students without at least one year of administrative work experience in higher education are required to complete a 3 credit internship for a total of 39 credits. There are 24 required credits and 12 elective credits.

Students have two options for completing the elective requirements for the degree. They may complete a set of general higher education and public administration courses, or they may choose a specialization in institutional research and assessment. The specialization is for students looking for a solid grounding in research methods, statistics, learning assessment, and program evaluation. It is designed for those wanting to work in the growing field of university research and assessment as well as for those seeking to be intelligent users of research reports. Students must complete PAF 9170 in the required core if they opt for the specialization. The specialization requires two courses—PAF 9172 and PAF 9325—and the choice of three analytical courses.

Upon graduation, students within the Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA) degree program at Marxe are expected to obtain knowledge and demonstrate skills associated with the following Program Learning Goals approved by the faculty and fall under five Universal Competencies.

Note: These goals are taught at varied levels within the core courses and will be addressed in further detailed throughout the program.

MSEd Degree Competencies & Program Learning Goals

Competency #1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of higher education administration as a discipline.

Learning Goal A: Distinguish between the different types of academic institutions and understand the diverse organizations and units that function within.

Learning Goal B: Demonstrate an understanding of policies and stakeholders within academic institutions.

Learning Goal C: Articulate the processes related to the management of academic institutions.

Learning Goal D: Articulate historical knowledge of higher education administration within the United States and its impact on the nation and abroad.

Competency #2: Analyze, think critically, and problem solve within higher education.

Learning Goal A: Analyze and draw valid conclusions from social science research such as policy, applied, or evaluation research related to higher education.

Learning Goal B: Apply social science or evaluation research findings to public policy questions and decision making situations within higher education.

Competency #3: Communicate and interact effectively with a highly diverse set of constituencies within the field of higher education.

Learning Goal A: Produce oral presentations that articulate purpose, utilize evidence, and are tailored to an audience’s level of experience and needs.

Learning Goal B: Write documents that articulate purpose, utilize evidence, and are tailored to an audience’s level of experience and needs.

Learning Goal C: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of cultural competence in effective communication.

Competency #4: Articulate a full awareness of the values cultivating a positive and effective higher education environment.

Learning Goal A: Demonstrate an understanding of varied and conflicting values that are part of the higher education landscape and their relationship to management or decision making. 

Competency #5: Demonstrate preparedness to lead and manage within the field of higher education.

Learning Goal A: Articulate knowledge of higher education administration issues and demonstrate the ability to use appropriate information, communication, and pertinent values to make recommendations toward a solution.