Higher Education (M.A.)

By integrating academic excellence and Christian faith, the program nurtures higher education leaders whose professional identity is rooted in a deep sense of purpose and vocation. Students gain insight into the complex breadth of higher education but also develop expertise in a focused area of professional service within higher education. This is accomplished as students complete a core set of courses alongside a set of courses specific to their concentration. In addition to coursework, real-world experience is embedded in the program through a capstone requirement. Internships and graduate assistantships allow students to put the theories, gained through classroom instruction, into practice through supervised, real-world experience. By emphasizing the connections between theoretical principles, educational practice, and intentional reflection, the curriculum equips students with the requisite knowledge and creativity to excel in the dynamic environment of higher education.

Degree Concentrations

Academic Support Concentration

College Athletics Leadership Concentration

Individualized Concentration

Strategic Leadership Concentration

Student Affairs Concentration

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Higher Education program can:

  1. Describe the purposes of higher education within individual and social contexts.
  2. Explicate the unique administrative, organizational, governance issues, and structures present in higher education and be prepared to skillfully operate within multiple cultural environments.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and practical principles for effective leadership in Higher Education, including the articulation of a personal philosophy of leadership and the ability to foster leadership in others.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of significant issues and trends in higher education, including understanding methods of identifying and evaluating contemporary developments. 
  5. Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of higher education finance and funding structures as well as the ability to understand, construct, and manage institutional as well as departmental budgets.
  6. Understand the contours of higher education within its theological, philosophical, and historical contexts and demonstrative the ability to discern significant implications of these foundations.
  7. Understand the principles and practices of program assessment, including the ability to incorporate assessment findings into program review and improvement.
  8. Demonstrate research proficiency sufficient for the purposes of program assessment, innovation within higher education, and advancement of knowledge in the field.
  9. Display capabilities for research, writing, and presentation in the investigation of specific topics, including the ability to use writing to advance matters of consequence within internal and external constituencies.
  10. Exhibit the ability to make effective, strategic, and innovative decisions to assure excellence in educational programs and mission-driven initiatives.
  11. Comprehend legal and ethical issues in higher education in order to comply with regulations and impact ongoing legal questions. 
  12. Demonstrate the ability to utilize technology systems and their applications in administering higher education functions.

Degree Requirements (36 credits)

Program Core Requirements (27 credits)

HIED 511Foundations of Higher Education

3

HIED 512Organizational Culture and Governance in Higher Education

3

HIED 513Institutional Assessment and Effectiveness

3

HIED 514Equity Issues in Higher Education

3

HIED 515Strategic Leadership in Higher Education

3

HIED 516Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education

3

HIED 562Internship in Higher Education

3

HIED 562: HIED 567 Professional Seminar serves as a substitution for students who have two or more years of professional experience upon admission and who have received approval from the program director.

Choose two of the following: (6 credits)

COMM 530Organizational Communication: Theory and Practice

3

COUN 510Lifespan Development

3

COUN 511MultiCultural Issues for Counseling Professionals

3

COUN 539Human Sexuality

3

EDME 502Advanced Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education

3

EDME 522/COUN 522Autism Spectrum Disorders

3

EDME 529High Incidence Populations with Field Experience

3

EDME 551/COUN 551Effective Practices for Every Learner

3

HIED 580/EDME 580/LEAD 580Research Methods

3

HIED 537Compliance and Regulation in Intercollegiate Athletics

3

HIED 553Enrollment Management in Higher Education

3

HIED 555Spiritual Formation in Higher Education

3

HIED 563Internship II in Higher Education

3

HIED 565Thesis

3

HIED 591Independent Study

3

LEAD 501The Character of a Leader

3

LEAD 530Leading Leaders

3

LEAD 540Followership, Teamwork and Group Dynamics

3

LEAD 560Diversity and Leadership

3

Academic Support Concentration (9 credits)

The academic support services concentration prepares students to understand and cultivate effective learning environments and to develop programs that meet the academic needs of a variety of student populations. In addition, students will gain a clear understanding of how effective curricular and co-curricular programs are developed and assessed. This concentration is designed for those aspiring to serve or advance in a variety of professional capacities, including academic advising, career development, and student retention in colleges and universities.

HIED 520Academic Engagement and Learning in Higher Education

3

HIED 525Curriculum Development in Higher Education

3

COUN 528Career Counseling Across the Lifespan

3

College Athletics Leadership Concentration (9 credits)

The college athletics leadership concentration prepares professionals to administer successful athletic programs and to serve the unique needs of student athletes. Students are well prepared for all facets of athletic administration, including events management, sports marketing and sponsorship, and compliance and regulation. This concentration is designed for those aspiring to serve or advance in such professional roles as college coach, athletic director, sports information, facilities management, and recreational sports.

HIED 530Collegiate Sport Administration

3

HIED 531Events and Facilities Management in College Athletics

3

HIED 532Marketing and Sponsorship in Intercollegiate Athletics

3

Individualized Concentration (9 credits)

The individualized concentration enables students to create their own area of concentration that best suits their educational and professional needs. Students pull together coursework from across content areas in order to advance their expertise in a focused area.

Choose three of the following:

COUN 528Career Counseling Across the Lifespan

3

HIED 520Academic Engagement and Learning in Higher Education

3

HIED 525Curriculum Development in Higher Education

3

HIED 530Collegiate Sport Administration

3

HIED 531Events and Facilities Management in College Athletics

3

HIED 532Marketing and Sponsorship in Intercollegiate Athletics

3

HIED 550Student Development in Higher Education

3

HIED 551College and University Environments

3

HIED 552Student Affairs Practice

3

LEAD 505Strategic Thinking, Planning and Organizational Change

3

LEAD 515Best Practices in Leadership

3

LEAD 550Organizational Effectiveness

3

Strategic Leadership Concentration (9 credits)

The strategic leadership concentration is designed for those aiming to advance their career and opportunities in higher education by becoming more effective at leading people and organizations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of effective leadership, including the ethical and character-based elements of leadership, and also assess and advance their own abilities as leaders.

LEAD 505Strategic Thinking, Planning and Organizational Change

3

LEAD 515Best Practices in Leadership

3

LEAD 550Organizational Effectiveness

3

Student Affairs Concentration (9 credits)

The student affairs concentration is designed for those serving or aspiring to serve college students by developing co-curricular programs and influencing the educational environment to enhance student learning and development. Students will gain a full understanding of how college students grow and how to orient programs and services to advance holistic development. This concentration is designed for those serving or aspiring to serve in such professional capacities as leadership development, orientation, intercultural programs, admissions, residence life, student conduct, community service, and similar areas in higher education institutions.

HIED 550Student Development in Higher Education

3

HIED 551College and University Environments

3

HIED 552Student Affairs Practice

3