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.
Program Overview
Explore our online M.S. in Higher Education
Acquire the advanced knowledge and expertise needed to be an effective 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
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
- 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
- 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.
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:
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.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/24/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/6/25 | 3/7/25 | 5/2/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/8/25 | 5/9/25 | 6/27/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/16/25 | 6/20/25 | 6/26/25 | 6/27/25 | 8/1/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/20/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/8/25 | 8/14/25 | 8/15/25 | 10/3/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/13/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/3/25 | 10/9/25 | 10/10/25 | 12/5/25 |
Now enrolling:
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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?
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
- 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.
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.
Students in this program must complete the following courses.