Higher Education Emphasis, M.Ed.

The Division of Higher Education prepares individuals to engage with critical issues in higher education through the growth of skills and knowledge in assessment and research, student development, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and administrative leadership.  Iowa State University has a rich tradition of preparing scholars and leaders in the field of higher education. 

Overview 

The Division of Higher Education in the School of Education offers an online M.Ed. higher education emphasis with sub-concentration areas in:

  • Community College Leadership
  • Higher Education Administration

Program Format

The M.Ed. in Higher Education is designed to support knowledge of theories, practices, and policies that shape various postsecondary contexts. Students achieve learning outcomes through a broad range of courses that cover foundational topics and a specific set of classes focused on sub-concentration areas. The program requires 21 credits of core curriculum and 9 hours in a sub-concentration for a total of 30 credits and may be completed over two academic years plus one summer.

The program can be started in any semester.  Students starting in the fall and taking two courses per semester (including summer) can expect to complete the program in 5 semesters (20 months). The program can be completed taking one course per semester over a longer period of time following a plan developed with a faculty advisor.

Course Delivery

Course delivery is online with both synchronous and asynchronous opportunities. Through virtual classroom technology, online delivery makes it possible for working professionals to pursue a high-quality graduate degree. You can review the curriculum for our program online, complete with the course requirements.

Courses are delivered in half-term formats. Students taking two courses per semester will take one first-half term course and one second-half term course that do not overlap.

With an elevated understanding of higher education, program alumni have secured mid-level administrative positions across various institutional contexts as directors, program coordinators, and assistant deans across student and academic affairs.