Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Student Success

This course examines the historical development, mission, structure, and governance of higher education institutions in the United States. The curriculum addresses the roles and responsibilities of institutional leaders, as well as the influence of social, political, economic, and cultural forces on higher education. Emphasis is placed on leadership principles, shared governance, organizational structures, and the relationship between governing boards, administration, faculty, and external stakeholders. Students will also explore contemporary issues and challenges facing higher education and develop an understanding of effective leadership across various institutional types.

This course reviews the principles and practices of strategic leadership as they pertain to planning, assessment, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness in higher education. Students will investigate the development and execution of strategic and operational plans aligned with institutional mission, vision, and objectives. Emphasis is placed on the use of assessment and data-informed decision-making to enhance student learning, academic programs, and organizational performance. The course also examines regional and specialized accreditation processes, compliance requirements, and continuous improvement within colleges and universities. Students will develop the leadership skills necessary to support institutional effectiveness, foster a culture of assessment, and lead organizational change in complex higher education environments, essential for advancing strategic planning and accreditation efforts.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation within higher education institutions. Students will analyze the financial structures and funding models of colleges and universities, including tuition revenue, state and federal funding, financial aid, auxiliary services, grants, and fundraising. Emphasis is placed on strategic budgeting, fiscal planning, and the effective stewardship of institutional resources to advance organizational goals and student success. The course also explores financial decision-making, enrollment and revenue considerations, accountability, and the economic challenges facing higher education.

This course analyzes the complex and evolving operational functions that enable colleges and universities to achieve their institutional mission and strategic objectives. Students will investigate the interconnected systems and processes that drive higher education operations, including enrollment management, academic and student support services, technology integration, human resources, compliance, risk management, and organizational communication. The curriculum emphasizes adaptive leadership, operational efficiency, cross-divisional collaboration, and data-informed decision-making in dynamic higher education environments. Students will develop the leadership and management competencies essential for addressing operational challenges, facilitating organizational change, and advancing instructional effectiveness and student success.

This course introduces students to action research as a practical approach for understanding and improving problems within professional settings. Students learn to identify and analyze organizational challenges, examine relevant research and evidence, evaluate potential interventions, and develop a structured action research proposal. Through a series of scaffolded assignments, learners design an evidence-informed improvement plan that incorporates implementation, evaluation, and adaptation strategies in preparation for the capstone experience. 

This course explores the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities of leaders and administrators in higher education. Students will examine key legal and compliance issues affecting colleges and universities, including governance, student rights, employment law, Title IX, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, legal issue compliance, academic freedom, intellectual property, and risk management. Emphasis is placed on ethical decision-making, professional standards, equity and inclusion, and leadership practices that promote integrity, accountability, and institutional trust. Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex legal and ethical issues and promote responsible and effective practice in diverse higher education roles.  

This course examines the leadership, management, and administration of digital learning environments and educational technology within higher education institutions. Students will explore the strategic role of technology in teaching, learning, and institutional effectiveness. Key topics include the tools and platforms essential for college administration such as customer relationship management systems (CRM), student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), digital libraries, instructional design tools, and other advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Additional areas of focus include online program administration, instructional design collaboration, and emerging educational technologies. The course addresses governance structures, policy development, accessibility and compliance, faculty support, and quality assurance in digital learning initiatives. Students will develop the skills needed to lead, evaluate, and sustain effective digital learning ecosystems that advance student success and institutional objectives.  

This course explores leadership practices with a focus on theoretical foundations and applications relevant to the recruitment, development, and retention of faculty and staff in higher education institutions. Students will examine strategic approaches to talent management, including organizational development, professional learning systems, performance evaluation, succession planning, and leadership development. The curriculum emphasizes faculty and staff talent management and development, creating inclusive, mission-driven workplace cultures that support employee engagement, growth, and effectiveness. Contemporary challenges in higher education staffing are explored, including workforce planning, equity and inclusion in hiring and advancement, and adapting leadership strategies to evolving institutional needs. Students will develop the skills necessary to build and sustain high-performing teams that advance institutional goals and student success.

This course examines leadership practices and theoretical frameworks that prioritize student success as the central mission of higher education. Students will explore foundational and contemporary theories and practices centered on student success, retention, and support and developmental services that foster access, engagement, retention, and completion, while addressing obstacles to student achievement. Students will analyze how leadership behaviors and institutional strategies impact student experiences across academic and co-curricular environments. Students will develop skills necessary to lead with a students-first mindset and implement strategies that improve student outcomes and instructional effectiveness.   

This course serves as the culminating experience of the master's program. Students synthesize learning from across their graduate studies, examine the development of their professional identity, apply disciplinary frameworks to complex situations, evaluate professional decisions under conditions of uncertainty, and demonstrate readiness for advanced professional practice. Through the creation of a professional portfolio and defense, learners integrate evidence, reflection, professional judgment, and future goals into a comprehensive demonstration of graduate-level achievement.