Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): See Concentration Requirements tab.
Program Information
This program can be completed 100% online.
The Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Degree program at the University of Louisville is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in university and college settings. Our nationally recognized faculty apply their expertise as scholars and practitioners to connect classroom knowledge directly to real-world experiences.
Degree Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Core | 9-12 | |
| Advanced Core | 9 | |
| Concentration Area | 6-12 | |
| Exit Requirement | 3 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30-36 | |
Admission Requirements
- Graduate School Application: Complete the online application to the Graduate School.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Unconditional admission requires a minimum degree grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.
Please have transcripts sent to:
Graduate School
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
If transcripts are sent electronically,
please have them sent to the following e-mail: gradadm@louisville.edu
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Professional goals statement
Students may be recommended for conditional admission upon recommendation of the program faculty.
Meeting the GPA and requirement does not guarantee admission to the program.
Department committee reviews application materials and makes recommendation to Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
Academic Plan Code(s): see concentration tab.
This program can be completed 100% online.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Core | 9-12 | |
LEAD 600 | Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics | |
or LEAD 666 | Program Development & Assessment in Higher Education | |
LEAD 682 | The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | |
LEAD 693 | College Students in the United States | |
LEAD 690 | Professional Project in Higher Education 1 | |
| Advanced Core | 9 | |
LEAD 680 | Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | |
LEAD 684 | Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | |
LEAD 694 | Diversity in Higher Education | |
| Concentration Area (see concentration tab) | 6-12 | |
| Exit Requirement (varies depending on concentration; see concentration tab) | 3 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30-36 | |
- 1
Not required for students in the Sport Administration concentration (replaced by additional concentration area course).
Degree Requirements–Fort Knox only
Academic Plan Code(s): HED_MA_FTX
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Core | ||
| LEAD 666 | Program Development & Assessment in Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD 682 | The Organization and Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 3 |
| LEAD 690 | Professional Project in Higher Education | 3 |
| Advanced Core | ||
| LEAD 694 | Diversity in Higher Education | 3 |
| Choose 2 of the following: | 6 | |
LEAD 680 | Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education | |
LEAD 684 | Educational Resource Management in Postsecondary Education | |
LEAD 693 | College Students in the United States | |
| Specialization | ||
| LEAD 670 | Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| LEAD 683 | College Teaching | 3 |
| LEAD 688 | Supervised Experience in Higher Education | 3 |
| Exit Requirement 1 | ||
| LEAD 697 | Organizational Improvement in Higher Education | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration Requirements
Concentration in Administration
Academic Plan Code(s): HED_MA_ADM, HED_MA_ADO
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives (approved by advisor) | 6 | |
| Exit Requirement | ||
| LEAD 697 | Organizational Improvement in Higher Education | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 9 | |
Concentration in Sport Administration
Academic Plan Code(s): HED_MA_SAD, HED_MA_SAO
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAD 680 | Athletics and Higher Education | 3 |
| SPAD 625 | Sport Management and Leadership | 3 |
| Elective (approved by advisor) | 3 | |
| Exit Requirement | ||
| SPAD 692 | Internship in Sport Administration | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Student Affairs
Academic Plan Code(s): HED_MA_STA
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LEAD 645 | Introduction to Student Affairs Work | 3 |
| LEAD 646 | Helping Skills for Student Affairs Professionals | 3 |
| LEAD 647 | Theories of College Student Development | 3 |
| Elective (approved by advisor) | 3 | |
| Exit Requirement | ||
| LEAD 648 | Internship in College Student Affairs | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 15 | |