Online Master of Science Higher Education Administration

In today’s global market and economy, education is a necessity for economic opportunity, mobility, and specialized skills. A college education is an investment in the future and is no longer a luxury for just a selected few. Studies show that graduates with a master’s degree earn more and as of 2020, the Department of Education estimates that two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training. Understanding these facts, a career in higher education is a good choice because of the steady growth and stability of the field.                                       

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow by 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of increasing student enrollment in colleges and universities. In addition, people will continue to seek postsecondary education to accomplish their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary education administrators will be needed to serve the needs of these students.

Graduates will be prepared for employment within higher education institutions in the following capacities:

• Academic Advisor
• Career Counselor
• Admissions Officer
• Enrollment Manager
• Academic Coordinator or Academic Support Specialist
• Financial Aid Counselor or Administrator
• Assistant/Associate Dean of Students
• Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
  

Of note, there is a possibility of employment at FIU after graduation, and graduates also explore national opportunities for employment at other institutions.

To apply, please select the following subplan in the online application: HEDONLINE

Program Requirements: (36 Credit Hours Total)

Fall A 2024

EDH 6633 Introduction to Higher Education Administration (3 credits)

EDH 6061 History of Higher Education (3 credits)

Fall B 2024

EDH 6045 College Student Development Theory (3 credits)

EDF 5481 Foundations of Educational Research (3 credits)

Spring A 2025

EDH 6047 Student Life & Cultures (3 credits)

EDH 7058 International & Comparative Education (3 credits)

Spring B 2025

EDH 6404 Legal Issues in Higher Education Administration (3 credits)

EDH 6634 Organization & Administration of Student Affairs (3 credits)

Summer A 2025

EDH 6401 Counseling Skills for Higher Education Professionals (3 credits)

EDH 6637 Crisis Management in Higher Education (3 credits)

Summer B 2025

EDH 6066 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)

Summer C 2025

EDH 6943 Practicum in Higher Education Administration (3 credits)

Required Courses

The required courses reflect the range of basic knowledge common to all higher education professionals. Whatever the job function, it is imperative that university professionals know the law, be aware of current issues, be sensitive to the diversity of student cultures, and understand the core functions of administration.

Practicum Experiences

According to national guidelines, a master’s degree in higher education administration should allow for some guided practical experience  in a unit or division beyond the student’s current employment experience . The practicum course provides students the opportunity to earn credit while gaining valuable hands-on experience in a variety of administrative  and student affairs areas. Practicum includes an academic component designed by the Higher Education faculty and the  practicum site supervisor.

The graduation requirements include successful completion of the above required program of study.

Admissions Requirements

The following must be submitted:

• Online master's programs application ($30).
• Official transcripts -- All applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities. Transcripts must be submitted in sealed envelopes directly from the respective institutions. A four-year bachelor degree from an accredited institution as well as a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required.
• Proof of Degree -- Submit official proof of degree: a notarized copy of the original diploma is required if the degree is not posted on the official transcripts.
• GRE Test Scores -- Not required.
• A 1-2 page personal statement describing your academic and professional goals, and reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration at FIU.
• Recommendation letters -- Submit two letters of recommendation to support the application. Letters must come from current or former college instructors/professors or employment supervisors who can comment in detail about your qualities, capabilities, and preparedness for graduate study. Letters cannot be from friends, family, or colleagues. We highly advise that applicants tell their letter writers to submit a 1-2 page letter in addition to filling out the Letter of Recommendation Form for Graduate School Admission.
• Résumé -- Current and detailed.
• Interview via Zoom with the Program Director.
  

Work experience in higher education such as community college or student affairs areas is preferred but not required.

Only those applicants who have submitted complete application packets will be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admissions.

International Students

• Proof of English Language Proficiency. If you earned a bachelor's degree in a country whose official language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency by earning a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL required minimum score: 550 (paper-based exam) or 80 (internet-based). IELTS required minimum score: 6.5. When requesting official scores, please refer to FIU Institution code 5206. TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years. View list of TOEFL/IELTS-exempt countries.

  • Graduate programs can use the Duolingo English Test.

  • Please visit Duolingo English Test for more information about how to register for the exam.

  • FIU Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 110

• Course by Course Evaluation. If your post-secondary educational history includes coursework outside the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, with grade point average (GPA) calculation included, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation service.

  FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation services, below are a few FIU recommends:

  Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
  7101 SW 102 Avenue
  Miami, FL 33173
  Phone: 305-273-1616 | Fax 305-273-1338
  www.jsilny.org | info@jsilny.com
  Visit the Josef Silny & Associates FIU Form for details

  World Education Services
  PO Box 745
  New York, NY 10113-0745
  212-966-6311
  www.wes.org | info@wes.org 
  
  Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  PO Box 514070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
  414-289-3400 | www.ece.org

• Official Transcripts Translation. If official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be requested for translation. Both the official translation, as well as the original transcripts, must be submitted to FIU.

• Certified Copy of Diploma. If you obtained your degree at a foreign institution.

• As a fully online degree, this program is ineligible to grant/provide F-1 Student visas.

Official transcripts/translations must be submitted directly by the respective institution(s) in electronic format or mailed in a sealed institution envelope to:

FIU Graduate Admissions 
Modesto A. Maidique Campus, BT 201 
11200 S.W. 8th Street 
Miami, FL 33199

Effective January 15, 2023 for Graduate applicants: If your post-secondary educational history includes coursework outside the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, with grade point average (GPA) calculation included, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation service. Please visit the NACES website here: NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members

Pursuing your graduate degree is one of the best investments you can make -- one that will open doors to personal and professional opportunities. Our tuition costs represent some of the best value in higher education, and we also offer financial aid support to help you reach your goals. The total cost of this online program is $21,127.55 for Florida residents and non-Florida residents.

Scholarship opportunities available

Academic Works
FIU offers Academic Works, a website that matches students with relevant scholarships opportunities. Find the one that’s right for you! Academic Works is an online scholarship application tool where FIU students can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships, made possible by the generosity of FIU alumni and friends. Students can apply after they are matriculated into one of our programs. For more information visit https://give.fiu.edu/business-governance/scholarships/.

Other Resources
There are other third party resources that prospective students can access while researching on how to pay for school. Below are various links that provide more information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities:

• FinAid
• FastWeb
• BigFuture

Federal Financial Aid
For information on Federal Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please visit our financial aid page.

Under the revised Florida Board of Governors' (BOG) Regulation 8.002, all institutions of the State University System (SUS) of Florida are required to provide students with a side-by-side Tuition and Fees comparison for continuing education programs. The tuition comparisons are made between a traditional program vs. its counterpart Market Rate/Self-Supporting program. This approach provides students an opportunity to become aware of options that are available upon selecting a degree program of study.

Please click on the following link which will take you to a searchable database that provides the side-by-side tuition and fees comparisons for the Master of Science in Higher Education Administration: https://continue.fiu.edu/programs/side-by-side-tuition-comparison/embed.html

Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, exercising leadership roles in professional associations/organizations and on the review boards of leading journals in their fields.

Learn more about the details of our program by listening in to our information session.