Best Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs

Today’s colleges and universities are complex organizations operating in challenging times.

University leaders manage finances, marketing and recruitment, student life, accreditation, and government relations while dealing with campus issues such as the changing admissions landscape, external threats to racial diversity, and the effects of artificial intelligence on the curriculum.

It’s no wonder college administrators are highly compensated, typically earning a median salary of more than $100,000 per year.

An online master’s degree in higher education can prepare you for this exciting and rapidly changing career path, along with other related fields.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online master’s programs in higher education can vary slightly from one university to the next, but they share some common characteristics.

In general, programs will require earning 30-45 credits and can be completed in one or two years. The degree you receive will be a master of arts (MA), master of science (MS), master of education (M.Ed. or Ed.M.), depending on the institution.

You can pursue specializations within your degree program, including student affairs administration, leadership and policy, organizational change, college teaching, community colleges, or financial management. Often, you will be required to complete a campus-based practicum related to your concentration, along with a capstone project or thesis.

Coursework covers macro (what role colleges and universities play in society) and micro (how these institutions function and are managed). Sample courses include:

You can pursue careers in colleges and universities, nonprofit management, government service, public policy, and business administration. Job growth in these fields is expected to remain strong throughout the decade.