A master's degree is essential if you want to advance your career in postsecondary education institutions. Our innovative Web-based Master of Science in Higher Education program offers you an opportunity to earn your master's degree online from an accredited institution.* Choosing an accredited institution like Kaplan University is important because it signifies that you are earning a degree from a school that meets rigorous standards of quality and consistency. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of online learning while you study to maximize your career choices and strengthen your knowledge and skills as a practitioner of higher education.

 Program Highlights 

The Master of Science in Higher Education program stresses the practical knowledge, critical thinking, research, and writing skills needed by leaders in today’s colleges and universities. Whether your interests are in administration, teaching, student development, or other areas within higher education, you will have the opportunity to work closely with your instructors and other students who share your interests. Engage in high-quality learning activities led by distinguished faculty members who are dedicated to helping you pursue your educational goals. In highly interactive online courses, you will:

  • Learn how multicultural and diversity issues affect student development in higher education
  • Examine how technology, public policy, and financing issues affect a student’s ability to attend college
  • Explore the historical development of colleges and universities in the United States and the organizational principles that guide them

 Areas of Specialization for the Master of Science in Higher Education 

Choose from four areas of specialization designed to help you develop valuable expertise in specific areas of higher education administration, teaching, or student affairs. In addition to enhancing your knowledge and skills, these focused specializations are designed to boost your marketability as you pursue or advance your career in the field of higher education.†

    Study to gain expertise in the principles of effective leadership needed to run academic programs and departments in a variety of postsecondary settings. Explore the roles of institutional research and strategic planning in institutions of higher education. Develop skills in assessing and evaluating academic programs, including accreditation standards and processes in both on-ground and online institutions. Prepare to enter the high-demand field of higher education administration, or to advance your career and take on new leadership roles.
    The online college teaching specialization is designed to prepare students to teach in the rapidly growing world of online education. Students who complete this specialization may already have (or be in the process of obtaining) the subject-matter expertise needed to pursue postsecondary teaching positions in their field. The Master of Science in Higher Education with the Online College Teaching specialization will teach students the special knowledge, skills, and approaches needed for success in online learning environments. Graduates of this program may have a competitive advantage to pursue online teaching positions, and ultimately may be more successful as facilitators of online learning.

    The specialization courses will emphasize adult learning theory, distance learning technologies and pedagogies, characteristics of online learners, special considerations for assessing student learning outcomes in the online environment, and current developments and trends in online education.

    Explore foundations of adult learning and the use of technology in higher education settings. Focus on developing expertise in curriculum design and implementation and in the methods and models used to assess learning outcomes. Analyze strategies for quality online education as you explore the theory and processes of designing, delivering, and assessing online learning. If you have professional credentials in a technical field, such as allied health or industrial technology, or at least 18 graduate-level semester hours in an academic discipline, this specialization could prepare you to become an effective postsecondary instructor.
    Learn how to create a comprehensive student services program. Focus on developing expertise in the administration of student services in both on-ground and online institutions. Gain hands-on experience through internships at two different real-world educational institutions, and explore how to incorporate current management and legal issues into student affairs. This specialization meets the standards of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) for graduate programs in student affairs and the standards of the Professional Preparation Commission of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

 Curriculum for the Master of Science in Higher Education 

    Courses Credits
    Foundations of Higher Education 5
    Higher Education Laws and Regulations 5
    Higher Education Organization and Governance 5
    Multiculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education 5
    Higher Education Finance 5
    Research Methods in Higher Education 5
    Specialization Courses* 20 or 30
    Total Program Requirements 50 or 60
    Courses Credits
    Student Services Foundation and Philosophy 5
    Current Issues in Student Affairs in Higher Education 5
    Student Services Administration in Ground and Virtual Environments 5
    Student Services Practicum I 5
    Student Services Practicum II 5
    Choose one
    Departmental and Divisional Leadership 5
    Institutional Research and Strategic Planning 5
    Educational Program Assessment 5
    Student Services Foundation and Philosophy 5
    Curriculum Design and Implementation 5
    Student Learning Assessment Methods 5
    Assessment of Online Learning 5
    Teaching and Learning Online 5
    Courses Credits
    Teaching Adult Learners 5
    Curriculum Design and Implementation 5
    Student Learning Assessment Methods 5
    Teaching and Learning Online 5
    Courses Credits
    Departmental and Divisional Leadership 5
    Institutional Research and Strategic Planning 5
    Educational Program Assessment 5
    Assessment of Online Learning 5
    Courses Credits
    Teaching Adult Learners 5
    Assessing Student Learning Online 5
    Teaching and Learning Online 5
    Effective Online Instruction—Design and Practice 5
    Courses Credits
    Foundations of Higher Education 5
    Higher Education Laws and Regulations 5
    Higher Education Organization and Governance 5
    Multiculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education 5
    Higher Education Finance 5
    Research Methods in Higher Education 5
    Master’s Thesis Proposal 5
    Master’s Thesis Defense 5
    Specialization Courses* 10 or 25
    Total Program Requirements 50 or 65

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

The Master of Science in Higher Education is designed to prepare you for leadership positions in colleges, community colleges, universities, and technical and vocational centers. Your master's degree may help you qualify for positions such as department or division chair; positions in institutional research, assessment, or staff development; director of admissions, advising, student life, and student services. Upon successful completion of the program you will have acquired the academic knowledge and skills to pursue doctoral-level studies.‡

 Let Us Evaluate Your Transcripts 

If you already have applicable experience or course credits earned at another institution, you may qualify for transfer credit that can be applied toward your master's degree requirements at Kaplan University. Transfer credits can save you time and money, allowing you to earn your master's degree faster and be prepared for career advancement in the field of education. Speak to an Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for details about our Transfer of Credit policy.

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$350.00
Total program requirements Nonthesis track50 or 60
Total cost of tuition$17,500.00 or $21,000.00

Cost per credit hour$350.00
Total program requirements Thesis track50 or 65
Total cost of tuition$17,500.00 or $22,750.00

Nonthesis-track students choosing the college teaching and learning specialization, the college administration and leadership specialization, or the online college teaching specialization will complete 20 quarter credits of specialization courses for a program total of 50 quarter credit hours. Nonthesis-track students choosing the student affairs specialization will complete 30 quarter credits of specialization courses for a program total of 60 quarter credit hours.

Thesis-track students choosing the college teaching and learning specialization, the college administration and leadership specialization, or the online college teaching specialization will complete 10 quarter credits of specialization courses for a program total of 50 quarter credit hours. Thesis-track students choosing the student affairs specialization will complete 25 quarter credits of specialization courses for a program total of 65 quarter credit hours.

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective July 1, 2009, a minimum deposit of $70 is required at the time of enrollment and will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

Chat with a representative about your financial aid options

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* Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). HLC can be reached at ncahlc.org.
†Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.
‡While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.