https://eps.edu.miami.edu/graduate/masters/hea-msed/index.html
Overview
The Higher Education Administration Program, which offers a Master of Science in Education with concentrations in Enrollment Management, Student Life and Development, and Institutional Research and Policy Analysis, is designed to produce skilled and versatile higher education administrators who understand all aspects of their professional environment.
Our graduates enter a variety of roles in college and university administration with the ability to consider today’s challenges from a broad-based, highly informed perspective.
Admission Requirements
Admission to all graduate-degree concentrations in the School of Education and Human Development is based on the recommendation of the faculty. This program accepts applications for Fall or Spring admissions. Admissions decisions are based on faculty review of the following admission requirements for the M.S.Ed, in Higher Education Administration application.
- Completed application submitted through the Graduate School’s application portal
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
- Submit official transcripts from each post-secondary institution (college or university) you attended, even if you did not earn a degree
- Send electronic eScripts to sehdgradadmissions@miami.edu. If electronic delivery is not available at your institution, mail official transcripts to: SEHD Graduate Admissions, 1507 Levante Ave, Suite 311, Coral Gables, FL 33146
- Provide three letters of recommendation. Letters should speak to your academic strengths and are ideally submitted by professors or academic advisors. If you have been out of school for some time and are no longer in contact with former faculty, letters from employment supervisors may be accepted. Recommendations should also reflect your personal and professional experiences and characteristics relevant to the field and/or degree program.
- Statement of Purpose. Applicants should describe why they are applying to the graduate program in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami, what they hope to achieve during their studies, and their post‑graduation goals. The statement should highlight personal and professional experiences and qualities that are relevant to the field and the specific degree program to which the applicant is applying. Applicants may also address any circumstances that affected their academic performance or test scores and explain why they would be a strong candidate for the program.
- Resume
- Take part in an admissions interview may be required
- International Applicants. In addition to all the above admissions requirements, they must provide the following:
- International credentials must be evaluated by a NACES member to confirm degree and GPA equivalence.
- Acceptable scores from one of the following English proficiency exams are required for international applicants whose native language is not English:
- TOEFL (iBT): minimum score of 80 (before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 (after January 21, 2026)
- IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 125
- Copy of passport
- Copy of diploma with English translation for degrees earned outside of the United States
- Official and original transcripts with English translation
Admission Decision
Once an applicant has been admitted to graduate study, that individual should meet with the faculty advisor who was appointed to serve in that capacity and whose name appears in the admissions letter. This advisor will help the student enroll in courses that are appropriate to the program and develop and refine a Course Sequence Plan that must be on file in the Academic Affairs I Graduate Studies by the end of the first semester of enrollment.
Handbook of Policies and Procedures
The School of Education and Human Development follows the Graduate School’s Honor Code. All students are required to review the Graduate Student Honor Code and the School of Education and Human Development’s Handbook of Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students and submit the signed Acknowledgement of Receipt located on page 3 by the end of their first semester of enrollment.
Curriculum Requirements
Enrollment Management Concentration
The Enrollment Management concentration (33 credit hours), based in data-driven decision-making to foster student and institutional success, integrates theory, research, teamwork, and effective communication. It is an interdisciplinary program, with courses also required in the Miami Business School. Opportunities abound for integrating research and theory in daily practice.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EPS 749 | Advanced Seminar in Enrollment Management | 3 |
| EPS 754 | Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | 3 |
| Higher Education Foundations | ||
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 742 | Higher Education in the United States: From Harvard to Present | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| EPS 751 | Seminar in Higher Education Administration: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| Business | ||
| May select 1 graduate business course from the following or as approved by an advisor: | 3 | |
| Leading Teams | ||
| Foundations of Marketing Management | ||
| Budget and Financial Management and Administration | ||
| Research | ||
| EPS 700 | Quantitative Methods I (Required) | 3 |
| Select 3 credit hours from the following or as otherwise approved: | 3 | |
| Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Qualitative Methods I | ||
| Survey Research Methods | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours from the following or as otherwise approved: | ||
| Managerial Economics | ||
| The Community College | ||
| Administration of Student Affairs | ||
| Basic Skills in Counseling and Interviewing | ||
| Psychological Bases of Education | ||
| Organization Administration of Higher Ed II: Governance, Leadership and Finance | ||
| College Student Development: Theory, Research and Practice | ||
| Critical Issues in Student Affairs: The Law and Higher Education | ||
| Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | ||
| Group Dynamics and Communication Skills | ||
| Workshop in Education: Selected Topics | ||
| Workshop in Education: Selected Topics in Higher Education | ||
| Creative Approaches to Problem Solving and Conflict Management | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Curriculum Requirements
Institutional Research and Policy Analysis Concentration
The Institutional Research and Policy Analysis concentration (33 credits) focuses on the skills necessary to conduct applied research that supports the effective functioning of postsecondary institutions. Areas of study extend beyond integrating research into effective administrative and policy initiatives to understanding state and federal policies, higher education foundations, statistics, and data analytics.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses in Higher Education (or as otherwise approved from electives below) | ||
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EPS 766 | Workshop in Education: Institutional Research Higher Ed Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Core Courses in Research | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following or as otherwise approved from electives: | ||
| Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Quantitative Methods I | ||
| Quantitative Methods II | ||
| Applied Multivariate Statistics | ||
| Computer Applications in Educational and Behavioral Science Research | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Select 6 credit hours from the following or as otherwise advised: | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Measurement and Psychometric Theory | ||
| Categorical Data Analysis | ||
| Item Response Theory | ||
| An Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling for Multivariable Data | ||
| Introduction to Multilevel Modeling | ||
| Meta-Analytic Methods for Research Synthesis | ||
| Basic Skills in Counseling and Interviewing | ||
| Higher Education in the United States: From Harvard to Present | ||
| Organization Administration of Higher Ed II: Governance, Leadership and Finance | ||
| College Student Development: Theory, Research and Practice | ||
| Critical Issues in Student Affairs: The Law and Higher Education | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Enrollment Management | ||
| Seminar in Higher Education Administration: Contemporary Issues | ||
| Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | ||
| Workshop in Education: Selected Topics | ||
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours from the following; advisor approval required: | ||
| Field Experience in Educational Research | ||
| Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Curriculum Requirements
Student Life and Development Concentration
The Student Life and Development concentration (36 credit hours) provides knowledge and skills necessary to support undergraduate students’ transition, adjustment, and involvement in college in ways that enhance their academic achievement and lead to persistence and graduation.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EPS 740 | Administration of Student Affairs | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| EPS 746 | College Student Development: Theory, Research and Practice | 3 |
| Higher Education Foundations | ||
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 742 | Higher Education in the United States: From Harvard to Present | 3 |
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EPS 751 | Seminar in Higher Education Administration: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| Counseling and Advising | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours from the following or as otherwise advised: | ||
| Counseling Process and Practice | ||
| Basic Skills in Counseling and Interviewing | ||
| Group Dynamics and Communication Skills | ||
| Research | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours from the following or as otherwise advised: | ||
| Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Quantitative Methods I | ||
| Qualitative Methods I | ||
| Survey Research Methods | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| The Community College | ||
| Psychological Bases of Education | ||
| Organization Administration of Higher Ed II: Governance, Leadership and Finance | ||
| Critical Issues in Student Affairs: The Law and Higher Education | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Enrollment Management | ||
| Workshop in Education: Selected Topics | ||
| Workshop in Education: Selected Topics in Higher Education | ||
| Creative Approaches to Problem Solving and Conflict Management | ||
| Practicum | 6 | |
| Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Sample Plans of Study
These are sample Plans of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Enrollment Management Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EPS 700 | Quantitative Methods I | 3 |
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 624 | Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| EPS 751 | Seminar in Higher Education Administration: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| MKT 660 | Foundations of Marketing Management | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPS 742 | Higher Education in the United States: From Harvard to Present | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| EPS 745 | Organization Administration of Higher Ed II: Governance, Leadership and Finance | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 749 | Advanced Seminar in Enrollment Management | 3 |
| EPS 754 | Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Institutional Research and Policy Analysis Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EPS 700 | Quantitative Methods I | 3 |
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 624 | Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| EPS 702 | Quantitative Methods II | 3 |
| EPS 766 | Workshop in Education: Institutional Research Higher Ed Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPS 703 | Applied Multivariate Statistics | 3 |
| EPS 712 | Field Experience in Educational Research | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 704 | Computer Applications in Educational and Behavioral Science Research | 3 |
| EPS 749 | Advanced Seminar in Enrollment Management | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Student Life and Development Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EPS 737 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education I | 3 |
| EPS 742 | Higher Education in the United States: From Harvard to Present | 3 |
| EPS 748 | Enrollment Management: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 624 | Essentials of Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| EPS 740 | Administration of Student Affairs | 3 |
| EPS 746 | College Student Development: Theory, Research and Practice | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPS 676 | Counseling Process and Practice | 3 |
| EPS 743 | Psychological Bases of Education | 3 |
| EPS 744 | Student Diversity in American Higher Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 751 | Seminar in Higher Education Administration: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| EPS 754 | Practicum: Administration of Higher Education | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Mission
The Higher Education Administration Program leading to a Master of Science in Education prepares students to begin careers at colleges and universities and working professionals to acquire career-advancing knowledge and skills. The program’s three tracks are taught from an enrollment management perspective, which promotes the use of theory, research, collaboration across office lines and data-based decision-making to effect student success. In emphasizing hands-on experiences, the tracks – Enrollment Management, Student Life & Development, and Institutional Research & Policy Analysis – instill comprehensive understanding of today’s higher education.
Goals
Our program works to impart the ability to apply theory and research to practice in complex, multicultural environments; to make sound decisions; and to obtain, at minimum, middle management positions in the field.
Student Learning Outcomes
- All Tracks: Students will demonstrate a solid understanding of the foundations of higher education, including contemporary applications of enrollment management, and the ability to apply that understanding to real-world problems.
- Enrollment Management: Through hands-on experience, students will effectively apply theory and research findings to strategic planning in higher education administration.
- Student Life & Development: Through practica, students will demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research to meeting daily challenges affecting undergraduate students' transition and adjustment to college, academic success, and personal growth.
- Institutional Research & Policy Analysis: Through hands-on experiences, students will demonstrate ability to apply theory, research findings and newly acquired skills to daily practice in higher education-related institutional research settings.
