Students working on laptop

Master of Science in Higher Education Online

Take on the challenges of higher education as you prepare to advance into a leadership role. Increase your expertise in advising and supporting college students and work to improve the effectiveness of postsecondary education.

Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25

Program Overview

Explore our online M.S. in Higher Education

Acquire the advanced knowledge and expertise needed to be an effective college professor, higher education instructor, or educational leader with an online Master of Science in Higher Education. Gain an understanding of collegiate systems, faculty culture, and the encouragement of student learning and development while increasing your marketability to serve in an administrative leadership role.

In this 100% online program you will explore the legal and financial aspects of higher education; increase your competence to advise and support college students from diverse backgrounds and positively affect their development; and examine and evaluate current policies in accreditation, performance-based funding, best practices in student assessment and learning in higher education.

Build on your professional development and help to create an impact in modern-day advanced learning environments with this online masters in higher education. You do not need a teaching license to be admitted into the program. Neither a capstone project nor a thesis is required for graduation.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

State Program Approvals (.PDF)

In this online M.S. in Higher Education degree program, you will:

  • Prepare for a variety of leadership positions within a higher education institution
  • Understand the major components of a higher education institution and the relationships between those components
  • Apply best practices for creating positive student experiences at a higher education institution
  • Grasp enrollment management systems
  • Learn to advise college students
  • Comprehend assessments and accreditation processes for a college or university
In this online M.S. in Higher Education degree program, you will:+
  • Prepare for a variety of leadership positions within a higher education institution
  • Understand the major components of a higher education institution and the relationships between those components
  • Apply best practices for creating positive student experiences at a higher education institution
  • Grasp enrollment management systems
  • Learn to advise college students
  • Comprehend assessments and accreditation processes for a college or university

Career opportunities include:

  • Assistant Dean for Graduate Students
  • Director of Student Housing
  • Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Career Learning
  • Associate Dean of E-Learning
  • Director, Enrollment Management
  • Registrar
  • Director of Financial Aid
  • Dean, Student Advising
Career opportunities include:+
  • Assistant Dean for Graduate Students
  • Director of Student Housing
  • Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Career Learning
  • Associate Dean of E-Learning
  • Director, Enrollment Management
  • Registrar
  • Director of Financial Aid
  • Dean, Student Advising
+

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $11,220
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 33
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION DEGREE

Tuition

Tuition that fits your budget

Our online M.S. in Higher Education offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $11,220

Calendar

View key dates and deadlines

Our M.S. in Higher Education online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/9/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/28/253/6/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 2/24/25
Start Class 3/10/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

Get started by checking our admission requirements

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the M.S. in Higher Education online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Make sure to review full admission requirements below. Applicants to the program who do not qualify for unconditional admission may qualify for conditional admission.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Bachelor's degree
View all admission requirements +

  • A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.75 (or 3.0 in the last 60 hours) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution. For conditional admission, students are required to have a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.50 (or a 2.75-2.99 cumulative GPA during the last 60 credit hours of university work.)

Note: If you have a 2.75-2.99 GPA, you must make a grade of “B” or better during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University.

Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467

Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Unless otherwise noted, Arkansas State University has not confirmed if a program has met requirements for an out-of-state licensure. Please refer to the Program Approval Map to determine which programs are eligible to be offered in states and to find relevant State Agency contact information. Eligibility to offer in a state does not guarantee the program will meet state licensure/certification requirements.

Please contact your state’s Professional License Department/Board to ensure that your chosen distance education program meets your state’s requirements in which you intend to practice.

Transfer credits

Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

Best Online Master's in Education

Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2024)

Courses

Here’s what you will study in our online M.S. in Higher Education

Students in this program must complete the following courses.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All

Students in this program must complete the following courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the legal aspects of education for the purpose of familiarizing college and university personnel with the legal features of higher education organization and administration. The course will consider constitutional and statutory provisions, but the major emphasis will be directly on the study of court decisions relating to American post-secondary education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the economic principles and fundamental financial practices which affect American colleges and universities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of leadership in higher education for the purpose of familiarizing college and university personnel with organization and governance in higher education institutions. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the structures that are organized to support institutions of higher education. The interaction of those structures is how the institutions are governed in shared governance systems.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of the organization and administration of student affairs programs and services. Organizational and management principles and practices used with college student affairs settings are discussed. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the professional practices of student affairs administration in American higher education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of the theoretical and organizational models for effective advising, including legal issues, assessment and advising modes of delivery.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of higher educa­tion with emphasis on student personnel service components.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of contemporary theory and research re­lated to student development with emphasis on applications to college student personnel services.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The strate­gic elements of enrollment, including leveraging key components (international, online, graduate/undergraduate, student services, retention and recruiting) into the development of an enrollment management plan.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will help profession­als effectively support students from increasingly diverse backgrounds. With changes occurring in the world's population demographics, the need for culturally-competent professionals is crucial. We will explore cognitive, affective, and behavioral considerations in supporting culturally diverse students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students examine and evaluate current polices in accreditation, performance-based funding, and federal compliance and analyze best practices in assessment of student learning in higher edu­cation. Students design curricular and co-curricular assessments at the course, program, and university levels.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced studies in university matriculation and retention of students, including understanding the key matriculation operations critical for a university’s future.

Related Articles