Online Higher Education Administration Graduate Degrees

What is a Higher Education Degree?

Online higher education administration graduate programs offer current teaching professionals a convenient way to access Masters in Higher Education and Doctor of Education degrees. Explore topics such as higher education law, institutional research, or marketing strategies for universities. Learning through web-based courses offer an easy and flexible format to earn your higher education graduate degree.

Online higher education programs are intended to prepare teaching professionals to take on leadership positions. Settings might include colleges, junior colleges and universities. Undergraduate education degrees tend to be generalist. However, a higher education administration graduate degree provides specialist expertise. Students might learn theory, research methods and practical application techniques. Some programs focus more exclusively on student affairs, student advising or student assessment. Others might offer more in the way of operational policy, student recruitment and strategic planning. Other topics of study might include courses in (O*Net)

• Directing alumni organizations
• Human resources
• Teaching at the postsecondary level
• Understanding government regulations for higher education institutions
• Grant writing

FACT: The most common degree types awarded to current students graduating in Higher Education & Administration are Master’s Degree; Research Doctorate; and Post Baccalaureate Certificate (datausa.io)

What is an Online Masters in Higher Education?

Online higher education Masters degrees prepare individuals to pursue potential careers in mid-level management within higher education administration. A Masters degree might also serve as a stepping stone for students interested in research or postsecondary faculty positions. These students might move onto either PhD or EdD degree programs. Prospective Masters students are required to have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Other admissions requirements may vary between programs. On average, pursuing a Master’s degree in higher education online might require completion of 30-36 credits. This could be about two-years of full time study. Explore online Masters in higher education degree programs if you are interested in:

• Student affairs,
• Higher education finance
• Enrollment management

Higher Education Online Masters Options

Online Masters in higher education degree programs offer two main orientations. One is more academic and research-focused. The other is more practice-focused. Three distinct tracks may be available. These include:

• Online Master of Education (MEd) in higher education
• Online Master of Arts (MA) in higher education
• Online Master of Science (MSEd) in higher education

Higher Education Doctoral Programs Online

Online higher education doctoral programs tend to prepare individuals to pursue senior management or faculty teaching careers. Some programs may be designed as continued education for Masters students. Others are intended for experienced administrators. It might take about three to five years to complete a doctorate in higher education program. Variables include residency, dissertation requirements, and full or part time programming. Explore Doctorate higher education degree programs to study topics such as:

• Legal and financial issues within higher education,
• Educational leadership research,
• Senior management strategies for experienced professionals.

Program Options

Online higher education doctoral programs, may be oriented to academia and research. Alternatively, they may be designed as professional practice degrees in educational leadership. Students might have the option of three tracks;

• PhD Higher Education online degree programs
• Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in higher education
• PhD educational leadership degree

How Are Online Higher Education Programs Structured?

Online higher education administration programs are structured distinctly by each university. 100% online programs enable students to take all of their classes through a web learning platform. Some higher education programs might involve an internship or residency. These externships are usually arranged in one’s local community.

Rolling Admissions

Some online schools offer “rolling” admissions process. This means that upon acceptance, you begin your Masters or Doctorate degree at the next start date.

Convenience and Flexibility

Online higher education administration graduate programs might provide a viable alternative to campus progams. Instead of commuting, students take their courses through web-based learning software. For working adults, the potential advantage is flexibility. Especially in a 100% online degree in higher education program. Study when you are able. Log into your courses anytime. Minimal disruption means being able to fit your education goals into your lifestyle rather than trying to fit your busy timetable into a set class schedule.

• Asynchronous programs are the most flexible of the formats. Course material, available through a web-based course management system, is pre-recorded or pre-taped.
• Synchronous programs also save you from commuting. However, this format entails logging in at preset intervals.

Pace Yourself

Some programs allow you to work towards your degree one course at a time. Others may be accelerated. This means you work towards your degree at a faster pace through more intensive course scheduling.

Why Consider Online Higher Education Administration Graduate Degrees?

Online higher education administration programs are designed to prepare individuals for educational leadership within colleges, universities and junior colleges. Some programs prepare students to fulfill state licensure requirements for high school principal occupations. Others are for current teachers seeking to transition into a faculty position in a university. Leadership roles are diverse.

Educational Leadership

There are many different ways to be involved with higher education. Whether you are interested in devoting yourself to the classroom or leadership at the institutional levels, higher education administration is multi-faceted. Education administrators plan programs, assess curriculums or find ways to attract students to their schools. You might choose to work exclusively involved with alumni and student services. Or, you may have your eye on policy-making and diversity (O*Net). Choosing to continue your own education may help make these outcomes possible.

Wondering whether to invest your time in continued education?

Consider the following. Two motivators for pursuing a graduate degree in higher education administration are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are career advancement and wage premiums. Per the BLS, a Bachelors degree may be enough education for some entry-level positions, yes. However, a Master’s degree or a PhD is often required, especially for careers such as registrars and academic deans.

Are Higher Education Online Programs Accredited?

Are you are considering online higher education administration graduate programs and wondering whether they are accredited? Accreditation, applies to institutions as well as specialized programs. It is an assurance of quality through external review. Universities are require to cite their accreditation.

Institutional Accreditation

When an institution has been accredited, it has demonstrated that it meets specific standards. It is also committed to maintaining standards to renew their status. At the institutional level, students might look for regional accreditation by one of six accrediting agencies. These are individually recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Program Accreditation

At the programmatic level, look for higher education administration online programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is now the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Association Council (TEAC).

Finding Online Higher Education Programs

Are you passionate about researching student development within postsecondary institutions? Do you want to work in student financial aid? There are programs for different goals. Connect easily with prospective online universities by filling out a ‘request info’ form. Take the next step in finding an educational leadership degree today!

GradSchools.com offers 32 Graduate Schools with Online Higher Education Programs