Higher Ed Studies

Be a part of change. Our educational professionals advance educational issues at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

Our higher education studies unit offers courses and programs that address the essential topics facing higher education and training organizations in an ever-changing world. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and social justice, you'll work with faculty to explore adult learning and administration's critical issues.

Our higher education programs

Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice 

Masters of Arts and Higher Education Administration and Social Justice Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice (MAHESJ) degree is a dynamic, 30-credit, online program designed to advance your career in higher education and student affairs administration at colleges and universities. Designed around the lives of busy working professionals, our graduates work 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 program aligns with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS).


Many fully funded assistantships are available each year for those who want to attend full-time, and convenient scheduling of courses beginning every 8 weeks make completing the degree in under two years attainable. 

The MAHESJ program is delivered entirely online via 8-week courses. Synchronous class times are encouraged, but not required. The program is designed for those seeking administrative positions in colleges and universities. 

For more information, please visit the MA in Higher Ed Administration and Social Justice program page or contact the program director (Dr. Matt Johnson - johns9m@cmich.edu).

Master of Arts in Education: Training and Development Concentration

Masters in Education Training and Development Program Overview

The training and development concentration focuses on the advancement of organizational development and building human capacity. Our program is designed to provide knowledge and skills for you to function effectively in positions of leadership or teaching in the adult education environment. 

For more information, please visit the MA in Ed Training and Development program page or contact the program director Dr. Anne Hornak. 

Equity-Centered Teaching and Learning (Graduate Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in Equity-Centered Teaching and Learning is a 12-credit graduate certificate that aims at providing adult educators with transformative teaching and learning approaches to issues related to diversity and equity in adult learning environments. Courses will help adult educators understand how diversity and equity relate to learning theories and pedagogy. Our approach to diversity and equity will cover the intersections of disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and poverty and draws on interdisciplinary research in education.

For more information, visit the Equity-Centered Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate program page.

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership EdD

Gain the credentials necessary at the university or college level to become a president, dean of students, or college administrator in enrollment management, finance, alumni relations, student services, assessment, athletics, registrar, and business operations. You will develop enhanced knowledge and skills in advanced research and analysis, ethical leadership, organizational culture and change, organizational theory, and more. The Ed.D. degree in educational leadership provides in-depth knowledge and skills to educational leaders who seek to develop and refine their knowledge and skills to help transform through practice in the educational institution. Our program emphasizes the application of scholarship (theory) to the improvement of educational practice. This program is for individuals who desire to lead their respective campuses. 

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program begins in the fall of each year. For more information, please visit the EdD program page or contact the program director.