Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL adviser approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the Graduate School.
The online Master of Arts (MA) in Higher Education Administration is the perfect degree for current university or college employees, as well as for those seeking employment in the higher ed industry.
Offered by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Louisville (UofL), the online master’s in higher education is perfect for those currently employed or seeking employment with a institutions of higher learning. This degree can provide you with a deeper understanding of and skills related to the practice and challenges within higher ed administration—preparing you for leadership roles in a university setting. This master's program strives to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to make data-informed decisions, and initiate efforts of organizational change to improve higher education opportunities, outcomes, and institutions, with a focus on policy, inclusion, and equity.
$830 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Are you a university employee? Ask us about tuition remission options!
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework and learning tools.
Learn MoreComplete 10 courses consisting of 8 core courses and 2 approved electives.
Learn MoreSpecialize in 1 of 2 concentrations that fit your career goals and interests.
Graduates with a master’s degree in higher education can work in a wide variety of administrative positions in virtually all departments at both public and private colleges and universities. This is also ideal for those who want to strengthen their skillset to navigate and improve higher ed policies, opportunities, and more. Furthermore, the median pay for post-secondary administrators is projected at $97,500 annually (bls.gov).
Graduates have pursued university positions including:
Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
---|---|---|
December 10 | Spring I | January |
February 10 | Spring II | March |
May 1 | Summer | June |
August 1 | Fall I | Late August |
September 10 | Fall II | October |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
To be considered for admission, applicants must have:
*Required application packet materials include:
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
The Master of Art in Higher Education Administration degree is a 30 credit hour program that has the choice of two concentration options. The Higher Education Administration concentration requires completion of 24 credit hours of core courses (core consists of practice and advanced classes) and 6 credit hours of electives. The Sport Administration Concentration requires completion of 27 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of electives. Courses are 100% online, asynchronous and delivered in 8-week terms, with the exception of LEAD 690 and 697 (standard term length).
The typical degree path includes:
Courses | Hours |
---|---|
Practice Core | Hours |
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics OR LEAD 666 Program Development and Assessment in Higher Education |
3 |
LEAD 682 The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 3 |
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States | 3 |
LEAD 690 Professional Project in Higher Education | 3 |
Advanced Core | |
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 694 Diversity in Higher Education | 3 |
Specialization | |
Specialization/Electives | 6 |
Exit Requirement * | |
LEAD 697 Organizational Improvement in Higher Education | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Courses | Hours |
---|---|
Practice Core | Hours |
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics OR LEAD 666 Program Development and Assessment in Higher Education |
3 |
LEAD 682 The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 3 |
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States | 3 |
Advanced Core | |
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 694 Diversity in Higher Education | 3 |
Specialization | |
SPAD 680 Athletics and Higher Education | 3 |
SPAD 625 Sport Management and Leadership | 3 |
Elective (approved by advisor) | 3 |
Exit Requirement * | 3 |
SPAD 692 Internship in Sport Administration | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
* Exit requirement vaires depending on concentration
For more information about specialized concentrations please contact our enrollment counselors at 800.871.8635 or online@louisville.edu.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
Emphasis given to historical, empirical, and experimental methods of research; to techniques of research design and statistical analysis; and to skills in writing reviews and critiques of research literature.
LEAD 666 Program Development & Assessment in Higher Education
Guides students in the design and implementation of a program in higher education based on organizational and situational analyses, and measures performance through student learning assessment and program evaluation data.
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Higher Education
Examines constitutional and statutory provisions and court decisions affecting educational leadership in postsecondary education.
LEAD 682 Organization and Administration of Higher Education Institutions
Explores organizational and administrative theory as related to colleges and universities and assessment of the roles of major administrative units of the institution.
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education
Study of resources, practices and procedures of finance and economics as related to postsecondary education. Provides investigation of specific and current educational finance issues affecting educational institutions.
LEAD 690 Professional Project in Higher Education
Integrates theory and practice as a culminating experience for students learning about postsecondary education and gaining professional experiences under the supervision of higher education professionals; provides professionals an opportunity to apply course content to address topics and issues in higher education in a setting different from their current employment; serves as a vehicle to provide oversight for students’ internship experiences.
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States
Provides a comprehensive examination of the changing demographics of undergraduate students, the issues undergraduate students bring to institutions of higher education, as well as the educational outcomes of college attendance as it relates to educational policy.
LEAD 694 Diversity and Higher Education
Explores relationships between forms of diversity (e.g., religion, class, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, nationality, nativism) and higher education; analyzes how diversity shapes higher education and how leaders within higher education institutions can be positive change agents regarding the diversity agenda.
LEAD 697 Organizational Improvement in Higher Education
This course explores the processes of organizational improvement in higher education, the actors who contribute to such improvements, and the challenges to improvement.
SPAD 625 Sport Management and Leadership
This course is an overview of the nature and scope of the sport industry, and will expand the student’s understanding of management theories and their application to sport administration.
SPAD 680 Athletics and Higher Education
This course examines the historical development of athletics within American institutions of higher learning with an emphasis upon concept and ideas that underlie the developments and the major problems affecting contemporary intercollegiate athletics.
SPAD 692 Internship in Sport Administration
This course is supervised practical work experience in an organization or business related to student's academic field, area of specialization, or career interest. Students enrolled in class must work a minimum of 400 hours at their internship site.
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Assistant Department Chair
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D.
Clinical Professor
Ph.D., J.D.
Professor
Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The set of questions and answers outlined below can help you learn more about our program, delivery method, application and admission process, financial aid options and how to succeed as an online student at UofL.
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL adviser approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the Graduate School.
Yes, you will need to complete a new application packet for the MA in Higher Education Administration program.
No. This degree prepares people who want to work in university administration and does not satisfy any P-12 or postsecondary teaching certification requirement.
An important part of your education as a professional in higher education is gaining practical and broad experience. You will complete, under the supervision of the course instructor and a site supervisor, a significant project that allow you to apply what you learned from your program of study. The internship activities cannot include projects within your current scope of responsibilities. In addition, as part of your exit requirement, you will take a course that explores the processes of organizational improvement in higher education, the actors who contribute to such improvements, and the challenges to improvement.
The purpose of an internship is to provide you with on-site work experience in an area of college and university administration. The internship should allow you to gain new knowledge and apply program coursework to a work setting relevant to your academic and professional goals. The experience can also be helpful to the goal of gaining a new position, advancing in a career, or as professional development at your current work site.
The internship is an exit requirement for the program. You may enroll for the class as one of your last nine hours, but no sooner.
Ideally, you would do some of the work within the office where your internship is located. If you do not currently work in a higher education setting, you should make every effort to spend a significant amount of time at the site. However, all internships are project oriented, therefore, if the instructor of the internship course approves your internship site and activities, you may do most of the work off-site. You must communicate regularly with your site supervisor regardless of where you do the work.
Yes, you can but you may NOT do your internship within your department or within the scope of your current responsibilities. Your work supervisor may not be your internship site supervisor.
Start planning your internship during the semester before you plan to take it. You should also contact the internship course instructor at about the same time to review the requirements which will assist you in making arrangements.
Internship site supervisors must have at least a Master’s degree, be willing to supervise you, evaluate you and participate in a meeting (in person or by phone for distance education students) early in the semester.
You must complete a minimum of 105 hours, be responsible for a significant project(s), write a learning summary paper, provide reflection journal entries and respond to discussion board prompts on Blackboard. You must also receive a satisfactory evaluation by your site supervisor.
By this time in your Master’s program, you should have a sense of a department or function in which you want to learn more. Once you have done so, start talking to prospective departments/institutions about your interests and ask if there are projects in that area that are important to them but perhaps have been on the back burner because of lack of time or staff to complete them. If there is a fit between their needs and your interests, you may have found an internship site!
Professional-level positions in higher education can be across various departments of the University such as academic, student, institutional, athletic and fiscal affairs. Additional departments include facilities, I.T., research, and office personnel. People pursuing professional career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $31k with a median of $61k and a maximum of $142k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Administrators in higher education fall under such titles as bursar, athletics officer, alumni affairs administrator, student financial aid officer, assistant provost and more. People pursuing administrative career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $57k with a median of $137k and a maximum of $535k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Executive-level positions in higher education fall under such titles as Dean, Chief Academic Affairs Officer, Provost, Executive Vice President, Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer and others. People pursuing executive career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $59k with a median of $132k and a maximum of $543k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
For answers to any other questions you might have, please submit an Information Request Form.
$830 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Are you a university employee? Ask us about tuition remission options!
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework and learning tools.
Learn MoreComplete 10 courses consisting of 8 core courses and 2 approved electives.
Learn MoreSpecialize in 1 of 2 concentrations that fit your career goals and interests.
Graduates with a master’s degree in higher education can work in a wide variety of administrative positions in virtually all departments at both public and private colleges and universities. This is also ideal for those who want to strengthen their skillset to navigate and improve higher ed policies, opportunities, and more. Furthermore, the median pay for post-secondary administrators is projected at $97,500 annually (bls.gov).
Graduates have pursued university positions including:
Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
---|---|---|
December 10 | Spring I | January |
February 10 | Spring II | March |
May 1 | Summer | June |
August 1 | Fall I | Late August |
September 10 | Fall II | October |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
To be considered for admission, applicants must have:
*Required application packet materials include:
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
The Master of Art in Higher Education Administration degree is a 30 credit hour program that has the choice of two concentration options. The Higher Education Administration concentration requires completion of 24 credit hours of core courses (core consists of practice and advanced classes) and 6 credit hours of electives. The Sport Administration Concentration requires completion of 27 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of electives. Courses are 100% online, asynchronous and delivered in 8-week terms, with the exception of LEAD 690 and 697 (standard term length).
The typical degree path includes:
Courses | Hours |
---|---|
Practice Core | Hours |
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics OR LEAD 666 Program Development and Assessment in Higher Education |
3 |
LEAD 682 The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 3 |
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States | 3 |
LEAD 690 Professional Project in Higher Education | 3 |
Advanced Core | |
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 694 Diversity in Higher Education | 3 |
Specialization | |
Specialization/Electives | 6 |
Exit Requirement * | |
LEAD 697 Organizational Improvement in Higher Education | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Courses | Hours |
---|---|
Practice Core | Hours |
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics OR LEAD 666 Program Development and Assessment in Higher Education |
3 |
LEAD 682 The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 3 |
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States | 3 |
Advanced Core | |
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
LEAD 694 Diversity in Higher Education | 3 |
Specialization | |
SPAD 680 Athletics and Higher Education | 3 |
SPAD 625 Sport Management and Leadership | 3 |
Elective (approved by advisor) | 3 |
Exit Requirement * | 3 |
SPAD 692 Internship in Sport Administration | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
* Exit requirement vaires depending on concentration
For more information about specialized concentrations please contact our enrollment counselors at 800.871.8635 or online@louisville.edu.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
Emphasis given to historical, empirical, and experimental methods of research; to techniques of research design and statistical analysis; and to skills in writing reviews and critiques of research literature.
LEAD 666 Program Development & Assessment in Higher Education
Guides students in the design and implementation of a program in higher education based on organizational and situational analyses, and measures performance through student learning assessment and program evaluation data.
LEAD 680 Legal Issues in Higher Education
Examines constitutional and statutory provisions and court decisions affecting educational leadership in postsecondary education.
LEAD 682 Organization and Administration of Higher Education Institutions
Explores organizational and administrative theory as related to colleges and universities and assessment of the roles of major administrative units of the institution.
LEAD 684 Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education
Study of resources, practices and procedures of finance and economics as related to postsecondary education. Provides investigation of specific and current educational finance issues affecting educational institutions.
LEAD 690 Professional Project in Higher Education
Integrates theory and practice as a culminating experience for students learning about postsecondary education and gaining professional experiences under the supervision of higher education professionals; provides professionals an opportunity to apply course content to address topics and issues in higher education in a setting different from their current employment; serves as a vehicle to provide oversight for students’ internship experiences.
LEAD 693 College Students in the United States
Provides a comprehensive examination of the changing demographics of undergraduate students, the issues undergraduate students bring to institutions of higher education, as well as the educational outcomes of college attendance as it relates to educational policy.
LEAD 694 Diversity and Higher Education
Explores relationships between forms of diversity (e.g., religion, class, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, nationality, nativism) and higher education; analyzes how diversity shapes higher education and how leaders within higher education institutions can be positive change agents regarding the diversity agenda.
LEAD 697 Organizational Improvement in Higher Education
This course explores the processes of organizational improvement in higher education, the actors who contribute to such improvements, and the challenges to improvement.
SPAD 625 Sport Management and Leadership
This course is an overview of the nature and scope of the sport industry, and will expand the student’s understanding of management theories and their application to sport administration.
SPAD 680 Athletics and Higher Education
This course examines the historical development of athletics within American institutions of higher learning with an emphasis upon concept and ideas that underlie the developments and the major problems affecting contemporary intercollegiate athletics.
SPAD 692 Internship in Sport Administration
This course is supervised practical work experience in an organization or business related to student's academic field, area of specialization, or career interest. Students enrolled in class must work a minimum of 400 hours at their internship site.
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Assistant Department Chair
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D.
Clinical Professor
Ph.D., J.D.
Professor
Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The set of questions and answers outlined below can help you learn more about our program, delivery method, application and admission process, financial aid options and how to succeed as an online student at UofL.
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL adviser approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the Graduate School.
Yes, you will need to complete a new application packet for the MA in Higher Education Administration program.
No. This degree prepares people who want to work in university administration and does not satisfy any P-12 or postsecondary teaching certification requirement.
An important part of your education as a professional in higher education is gaining practical and broad experience. You will complete, under the supervision of the course instructor and a site supervisor, a significant project that allow you to apply what you learned from your program of study. The internship activities cannot include projects within your current scope of responsibilities. In addition, as part of your exit requirement, you will take a course that explores the processes of organizational improvement in higher education, the actors who contribute to such improvements, and the challenges to improvement.
The purpose of an internship is to provide you with on-site work experience in an area of college and university administration. The internship should allow you to gain new knowledge and apply program coursework to a work setting relevant to your academic and professional goals. The experience can also be helpful to the goal of gaining a new position, advancing in a career, or as professional development at your current work site.
The internship is an exit requirement for the program. You may enroll for the class as one of your last nine hours, but no sooner.
Ideally, you would do some of the work within the office where your internship is located. If you do not currently work in a higher education setting, you should make every effort to spend a significant amount of time at the site. However, all internships are project oriented, therefore, if the instructor of the internship course approves your internship site and activities, you may do most of the work off-site. You must communicate regularly with your site supervisor regardless of where you do the work.
Yes, you can but you may NOT do your internship within your department or within the scope of your current responsibilities. Your work supervisor may not be your internship site supervisor.
Start planning your internship during the semester before you plan to take it. You should also contact the internship course instructor at about the same time to review the requirements which will assist you in making arrangements.
Internship site supervisors must have at least a Master’s degree, be willing to supervise you, evaluate you and participate in a meeting (in person or by phone for distance education students) early in the semester.
You must complete a minimum of 105 hours, be responsible for a significant project(s), write a learning summary paper, provide reflection journal entries and respond to discussion board prompts on Blackboard. You must also receive a satisfactory evaluation by your site supervisor.
By this time in your Master’s program, you should have a sense of a department or function in which you want to learn more. Once you have done so, start talking to prospective departments/institutions about your interests and ask if there are projects in that area that are important to them but perhaps have been on the back burner because of lack of time or staff to complete them. If there is a fit between their needs and your interests, you may have found an internship site!
Professional-level positions in higher education can be across various departments of the University such as academic, student, institutional, athletic and fiscal affairs. Additional departments include facilities, I.T., research, and office personnel. People pursuing professional career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $31k with a median of $61k and a maximum of $142k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Administrators in higher education fall under such titles as bursar, athletics officer, alumni affairs administrator, student financial aid officer, assistant provost and more. People pursuing administrative career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $57k with a median of $137k and a maximum of $535k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Executive-level positions in higher education fall under such titles as Dean, Chief Academic Affairs Officer, Provost, Executive Vice President, Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer and others. People pursuing executive career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $59k with a median of $132k and a maximum of $543k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
For answers to any other questions you might have, please submit an Information Request Form.