Higher Education Leadership MS

Major: Higher Education Leadership
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 13.0406
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9033

About the Program

The Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership program is designed to prepare highly skilled and knowledgeable practitioners for administrative and leadership positions and career advancement in higher education. Graduates will be qualified to pursue careers as professionals in colleges and universities, national and international organizations, foundations, associations, and corporations.

The program is designed as a part-time cohort model and can be completed in two years. View the degree requirements for more detailed information about the courses.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the School of Education's MS in Higher Education Leadership webpage.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program requires:

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
  • Completed application form
  • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended. Applicants may supply official electronic transcripts issued by a post-secondary institution directly to Drexel University (send to: enroll@drexel.edu).
    • Applicants must supply transcripts regardless of the number of credits earned or the type of school attended. If an applicant does not list all post-secondary institutions on the application and these are listed on transcripts received from other institutions, processing of the application will be delayed until all remaining transcripts have been submitted the remaining transcripts.
    • Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist contact with previous institutions. If a college or university offers the option to send transcripts in a secure, password-protected electronic format, have the transcript sent to enroll@drexel.edu.
  • Two letters of recommendation—professional or academic
    • Drexel University accepts electronic letters of recommendation. Please access the following webpage for instructions regarding their submission. If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter of recommendation, please remind the recommender that it must be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender.
  • Personal essay
  • Resume

International students must submit a TOEFL score of 550 or higher. Students with transcripts from non-US institutions should have such transcripts evaluated by World Education Service (WES). The TOEFL examination is required for some non-citizens. Applicants whose native language is English (who list themselves as born in or citizens of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British West Indies, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, England, Ghana, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad/Tobago, Uganda, Virgin Islands, Wales, Zimbabwe) are exempt from the TOEFL. Applicants whose native language is not English are exempt from the TOEFL if the applicant completed 4 years of high school in the United States or completed English 101 and English 102 with a grade of C or better from a US domestic accredited institution. Applicants who received an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution located in the US, UK, or Canada are also exempt from the TOEFL.

Additional Information

Please refer to Drexel University Online's Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership webpage for additional information.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership is a part-time online program. Students complete nine core courses, three concentration or elective courses, and a three course capstone sequence.

Higher Education Leadership Core Courses
EDCR 510Leadership in Educational Contexts and Systems3.0
EDCR 512Using and Integrating Learning Technologies3.0
EDCR 514Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in Education3.0
EDCR 518Evidence-Based Evaluation3.0
EDHE 501Foundations of Higher Education and Governance3.0
EDHE 521Student Development Theory and Application3.0
EDHE 531Legal Issues & Ethics in Higher Education3.0
EDHE 541Institutional Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness3.0
EDHE 607Higher Education Career Development, Leadership & Application3.0
Capstone
EDU 780Capstone Research3.0
Students have the option to select from the Practitioner or Thesis capstone track.
EDUP 780Practitioner Capstone Course I3.0
or EDUT 780 Thesis Capstone Course I
EDUP 781Practitioner Capstone Course II3.0-4.5
or EDUT 781 Thesis Capstone Course II
Electives or Concentration (See Below)9.0
Students select either any three elective courses (from offerings within the School of Education) or three courses within the concentrations offered.
Total Credits45.0-46.5

Electives or Concentration

Concentration in Global and International Education
Select three of the following:
EDGI 503Global, International & Comparative Education3.0
EDGI 506Comparative Higher Education Systems3.0
EDGI 510Culture, Society & Education in Comparative Perspective3.0
EDGI 512Globalization and Educational Change3.0
EDGI 518Analysis of Policy Issues in Global & International Education3.0
Elective3.0
Concentration in Educational Policy
Required:
EDPO 622Foundations of Education Policy3.0
Select two of the following:
EDPO 624The Shaping of American Education Policy: Global Forces, Interest Groups, and Politics3.0
EDPO 628American Educational Policy and U.S. Competitiveness3.0
or EDGI 604 Quantitative Literacy: Interpreting and reporting data for educational policy and research
EDPO 632Ethics in Educational Policy Making3.0
EDPO 636Access & Equity in Educational Policy Making3.0
Elective3.0
Concentration in Learning Technologies and Instructional Design
Select three of the following:
EDLT 503The Learning Sciences3.0
EDLT 504Learning Engineering3.0
EDLT 543Play & Learning in a Participatory Culture3.0
or EDLT 591 Learning Analytics: Lenses on students, teaching, and curriculum enactment
EDLT 551Instructional Design Methods3.0
ELL 503Teaching and Learning Issues in E-Learning3.0
Concentration in Student Development and Affairs
EDHE 661Critical Issues & Risk Management in Student Affairs3.0
EDHE 665Student Success: Learning and Innovative Support Services3.0
Elective3.0
Concentration in Mind, Brain, Learning & Administration
Required:
CRTV 600Mind, Brain and Learning3.0
Select one of the following:
CRTV 604Neurodiversity in Education and Workforce3.0
CRTV 608Neuropedagogy and Assessment3.0
Select one of the following:
EDHE 661Critical Issues & Risk Management in Student Affairs3.0
EDHE 665Student Success: Learning and Innovative Support Services3.0
Concentration in Creativity and Innovation
Required:
CRTV 501Foundations in Creativity3.0
Select two of the following:
CRTV 502Tools and Techniques in Creativity3.0
CRTV 503Creativity in the Workplace3.0
Elective3.0
Concentration in Human Resource Development
EHRD 500Foundations of Human Resources Development3.0
EHRD 612Strategic Human Resource Development3.0
Elective3.0

Sample Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDCR 5103.0EDCR 5143.0EDCR 5183.0EDHE 5413.0
EDHE 5013.0EDHE 5313.0EDHE 5213.0Concentration course3.0
 6 6 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDCR 5123.0EDU 7803.0EDUP 780 or EDUT 7803.0EDUP 781 or EDUT 781*3.0-4.5
EDHE 6073.0Concentration course3.0Concentration course3.0 
 6 6 6 3-4.5
Total Credits 45-46.5
*

Student must be enrolled for at least 4.5 credit hours each term to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Program Level Outcomes

  • Breadth and Depth of Higher Education Knowledge: Identify, evaluate, and address critical and immerging issues in higher education by utilizing knowledge, research and skills within the field of higher education.;
  • Social Justice, Equity, and Global Inclusiveness: Recognize and explain the value of the diversity, multiculturalism, and the global context for critical issues in higher education.
  • Ethical and Collaborative Leadership: Apply ethical and collaborative leadership skills to higher education issues as a reflective and self-directed learner, team member, and active citizen .
  • Experiential Learning and Professional Practice:  Understand the value of integrating work and learning with reflection, using the Co-op experience, e-portfolio and capstone activities.  Develop an understanding of higher education career paths and how to develop oneself and others in these careers. Experiential Learning and Civic Engagement: Demonstrate an understanding of higher education career paths and development, and create and sustain a healthy, engaged, public life in higher education and our communities
  • Experiential Learning and Civic Engagement: Demonstrate an understanding of higher education career paths and development, and create and sustain a healthy, engaged, public life in higher education and our communities.