MA in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice

We are excited that you are interested in the Master's of Arts in Higher Education Administration in Social Justice. Read below for information about what makes our program unique and right for you.  

Program Overview

Program Features

  • A complete online delivery designed for working adults and full-time graduate students on assistantships.
  • 30-credit hour curriculum focused on social justice, equity, and inclusion.
  • Opportunity to earn one of several graduate certificates through CMU alongside the MAHESJ, see more on this below (only 36 credits total).
  • Optional practicums to gain valuable hands-on experience in higher education.
  • Dynamic asynchronous learning activities each week.
  • 8-week classes that allow students to only focus on one course at a time.
  • Value-added synchronous sessions designed to build community and bolster student learning.
  • A continuously refreshed curriculum that applies cutting-edge research and learning theory.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the 30-credit MAHESJ program allows students to begin taking classes immediately and earn their degree in less than two years. All classes are eight weeks. Classes meet synchronously online (attendance encouraged but not required) on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:30 pm EST. 

Required Courses - 8 Classes (24 credits)
HED516 - Leadership for Social Justice (3 credits)
HED557 - Helping Skills in Student Affairs (3 credits)
HED611 - Critical Approaches to Assessment in Higher Education (3 credits)
HED636 - Higher Education Law (3 credits)
HED677 - Contemporary College Students (3 credits)
HED757 - Student Development Theory (3 credits)
HED764 - Financing of Higher Education (3 credits)
HED776 - Administration of Higher Education (3 credits)

Electives (6 credits)
Elective #1 (can be part of a graduate certificate program, practicum, or any approved 500-level or above course) 
Elective #2 (can be part of a graduate certificate program, practicum, or any approved 500-level or above course) 

Course Rotation

Fall Semester (even years)Spring Semester (odd years)Fall Semester (odd years)Spring Semester (even years)
HED776 - Fall I
HED757 - Fall II
HED611 - Spring I
HED557 - Spring II
HED677 - Fall I
HED764 - Fall II
HED636 - Spring I
HED516 - Spring II


Add a graduate certificate to the Masters in Higher Education Administration and Social Justice

Careers in higher education are dynamic and rapidly changing. Be prepared for your next move by adding one of several graduate certificates to the MAHESJ for only an additional 6 credits! 

We have agreements in place with: 

  • Disability Studies and Community Inclusion Graduate Certificate - for individuals interested in challenging the traditional ways disability is constructed in society. This fully online graduate certificate will prepare you to participate in and promote the development of environments that increase accessibility and inclusion across life experiences for children and adults with disabilities.
  • Equity-Centered Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate - provides adult educators with transformative teaching and learning approaches to issues related to diversity and equity in adult learning environments. Preparation includes courses that focus on course design, assessment and evaluation, and special topics on current issues in diversity and equity-centered teaching and learning. 
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Interested in a funded graduate assistantship?

If you are interested in enrolling full-time and securing a funded graduate assistantship, you're in luck! We have partnerships with the Division of Student Affairs here at CMU and at nearby Alma College that will help you gain valuable experience, cover your tuition, provide a yearly stipend of approximately $11,000, and graduate housing (covered by your assistantship). Go to the Student Affairs website to view current openings, learn more about our graduate assistantships, and fill out the free graduate assistant application. 

See Available Graduate Assistantships

Program faculty

MATTHEW JOHNSON

FACULTY

Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education

ANNE HORNAK

FACULTY

Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education

ERIC BUSCHLEN

FACULTY

Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education

SARAH MARSHALL

CHAIRPERSON

Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education

A Recent Facebook Live with Dr. Matt Johnson and CMU's Career Center Discussing Careers in Higher Education