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Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration

Program Facts

  • The Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration degree at Central Michigan University is a dynamic program designed to prepare graduates to work in higher education and student affairs at colleges and universities. Graduates seek jobs in a wide array of functional areas, including academic advising, student life, fraternity and sorority life, residence life, service-learning and civic engagement, career services, and disability support services, to name a few. This 36-credit program is in line with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), which helps ensure quality of graduate preparation programs in higher education and student affairs. 

  • Any questions about the program can be directed to Dr. Matt Johnson johns9m@cmich.edu 989.774.1568 or @mrjumd on Twitter
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  • Admission Requirements - No GRE Required
  • Priority deadline for admission in Fall is January 1st, 2020 
  • 1. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to Graduate Studies . 

    2. Regular admission in the program requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale). 

    3. Applicants must provide evidence of promise as an administrator by preparing and submitting an admission portfolio online at apply.cmich.edu. The following items must be included in the contents of the portfolio: 

    a. A current résumé identifying skills, experiences, positions held, and professional accomplishments; 

    b. A minimum of two letters of reference (dated and submitted on organizational letterhead) from individuals who can appropriately address the applicant's potential as an administrator and attest to the applicant's potential for success in the program; 

    c. A 2-3 page (single-spaced) statement detailing reasons for pursuing a master's degree in higher education administration at Central Michigan University, professional goals, and what problems or challenges in higher education the applicant feels passionately about addressing. 

    4. Regular admission will be granted only after the admission portfolio has been reviewed and deemed acceptable by a committee of Educational Leadership faculty. Acceptability will be judged on the appropriateness of the contents of the admission portfolio relative to the degree program to which the application is being made. The applicant's statement must show evidence of thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and congruence with the degree program. 

    It is advantageous for the applicant to submit the completed admission portfolio as early as possible. Applicants must submit a complete admission portfolio, and it must be approved before a student is granted regular admission.
  • Unique to our program are
  • Flexible schedules (8-week courses) allow students to focus on coursework
  • Practicums provide students with additional experience
  • Six credits of electives allow students to tailor their degree program
  • Graduate assistantships include a full tuition waiver, housing and professional development program
  • Yearly summer study abroad experiences
  • Core Courses (24 Hours)
  • EDL 512: Assessment in Higher Education 3(3-0)
  • EDL 516: Leadership for Social Justice
  • EDL 636: Higher Education Law 3(3-0)
  • EDL 677: The American College Student 3(3-0)
  • EDL 757: Student Development Theory 3(3-0)
  • EDL 764: Financing of Higher Education 3(3-0)
  • EDL 776: Administration of Higher Education 3(3-0)
  • EDL 777: Student Affairs Administration 3(3-0)
  • Electives (6 Hours)
  • In consultation with an advisor, choose to group electives into a concentration based on interests or explore different classes.
  • Core Courses (21 Hours)
  • Take a written comprehensive exam as part of EDL 698
  • EDL 696: Higher Education Practicum (135 hours)
    *Internship in another office or functional area, either at CMU or another institution.
  • EDL 698: Master's Colloquium 3(3-0)
  • ​ 36 Total Semester Hours
  • ​​ Assistantships

  • Assistantships for the 2020-2021 academic year are posted at the link below throughout the beginning of Fall 2019 semester. Our goal is to have them all finalized and posted by October 1, 2019. We anticipate having additional assistantships and will post them as they become available. Assistantship yearly compensation offers up to $14,000 and also includes a tuition waiver (valued at $10,500), an option for free graduate housing (no in-hall responsibilities) and a meal plan. Assistantships are either 10 or 12 month (indicated on job description). Once admitted to the program, the director of the M.A in Higher Education will contact you regarding which interview sites you are interested in. If you are admitted to the program and desire an assistantship, please plan on attending our Visit Days scheduled for March 5 and March 6, 2020. For more on Visit Days program and to apply for assistantships, please visit here. 

                                                                                                                                            Available Assistantships



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​For more information

Department of Educational Leadership
College of Education and Human Services
Central Michigan University
195 Ojibway Ct.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
EHS Building

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5​ p.m.
 ​989-774-3204 ​​
 edlead@cmich.edu​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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College of Education and Human Services | Central Michigan University | ehs@cmich.edu | 195 Ojibway Ct | EHS 426 | Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 | (989) 774-3079
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