Master's Degrees

Educational Policy Studies & Practice

Higher Education, M.A.

The Higher Education, M.A., program is designed for students to acquire a foundational understanding of higher education upon which you can build professional practice and, if you later choose, your doctoral work. Students in the program learn to analyze, inform, and enhance practice with current scholarship and thinking about higher education. The program is enhanced by a close relationship with UA Campus Life and Student Initiatives and Academic Affairs.

Students of the program will specialize in one of the following areas:

Graduate with the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary to be an effective and progressive professional in a wide range of institutional settings related to higher education
Study and conduct research related to varied higher education institutions and college students
Learn about the types of educational institutions and characteristics of faculty, students, and curriculum

Sample Courses

Courses in the 36-credit program are delivered in-person. Core coursework of the program include HED 601 (Higher Education in the U.S.), HED 611 (Intro to Statistical Methods), HED 608 (The College Student), and HED 609 (Organization and Administration). In addition to core coursework, you must complete at least five electives, preferably in higher education, but that is not required as you may enroll in elective courses outside of higher education. 

Careers

The Higher Education, M.A., program prepares you for a variety of professional and academic roles. Most students, upon graduation, work on a college or university campus doing direct service with students in advising, housing, student activities, multicultural affairs, and other areas. Students may also go on to pursue doctoral work with the ultimate goal of a faculty or administration position. This degree does not necessarily prepare students for college-level teaching or K-12 administration.

Contact Us

For inquiries about the program, please contact Assistant Professor of Practice Amanda Kraus at akraus@email.arizona.edu.