Skip to main content

Higher Education, M.A.

Higher Education
Master of Arts (M.A.)

Quick Facts

Credits
36
Location

Main Campus (Tucson)

Program Format

In-person, Hybrid Options available 

Priority Application Deadline
  • Applications for admissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in December
  • A 36-hour transcriptable Minority Serving Institution (MSI) emphasis is also offered. Designed by faculty with deep expertise & experience teaching, leading, & working in & with MSIs, this emphasis prepares higher education professionals to lead from a historically informed & culturally grounded lens.

    Complementing eight foundational higher education courses, MSI-focused students select three MSI-focused electives from the list below plus our signature summer experience:
    1. HED 626: Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies
    2. HED 634: Community Colleges 
    3. HED 624: Indigenous Statistics 
    4. HED 629: Whiteness in Education 
    5. HED 633: Critical Race Theory 
    6. HED 636: College Access
       

Apply Now

In the MA Higher Education program, students acquire a foundational understanding of higher education upon which you can build professional practice and, if you later choose, your doctoral work. Students in the program learn to analyze, inform, and enhance practice through engagement with current, culturally responsive higher education research and well-designed internships. 

  • The program offers a specialized curriculum for those interested in working in Minority Serving Institutions.
Graduate ready to be an effective professional in a wide range of higher education settings.
Conduct research related to higher education institutions.
Learn about the types of educational institutions and characteristics of faculty, students, and curriculum.
Careers

With an MA in Higher Education, you can pursue careers in direct service with students in advising, housing, student activities, multicultural affairs, and other areas. Many students go on to pursue doctoral work. This degree does not prepare students for teaching or K-12 administration.

Sample Courses

HED 610: History & Philosophy of Higher Education
HED 617: Introduction to Student Services
HED 608: The College Student (Student Development Theory)
HED 609: Organization & Administration in Higher Education
HED 644: Advising & Supervision
HED 693: Internship
HED 627: Capstone

To allow for flexibility, courses in the program are delivered in a variety of formats, including completely online, hybrid, and in-person.
 

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Preferred GPA of 3.5
  • Preferred experience in Student Affairs or Leadership
  • TOEFL (Total and TWE) scores - if applicable

Apply Now

Ready to learn more?

We encourage you to review our Student Handbook for detailed information about our department, policies, and program requirements:

2025 CSHE MA Student Handbook
2026 CSHE MA Student Handbook

For more information, contact coe-hedpgm@arizona.edu

To learn more about our HED MA program, you may also be interested in joining us for one of our Virtual Information Sessions:

Each session will cover the same content, and they are designed to share a brief overview of the program as well as information related to program options (modalities, tracks, and sub-plans), the application and admission process, and potential funding opportunities.

To RSVP for an info session, please click on your preferred date and time above!

Please note that Tucson, Arizona, does not observe daylight savings time.

Department Contact Information

Educational Policy Studies & Practice (EPSP)
Education Building, Room 321
520-626-7313