Curriculum & Courses

All students are required to complete a three-credit capstone project as the culminating experience of the program. This course, taken during the student’s last semester, demonstrates the student’s advanced grasp of the discipline of higher education administration and provides the opportunity to synthesize all of the theoretical and practical content taught during the program into one course experience. Each student works with a faculty advisor who serves as a guide through the detailed development and execution of the project and related deliverables. The capstone project is also an opportunity for students to develop connections and gain mentors to help them progress in their career upon graduation. To successfully fulfill the capstone requirement, students must complete an applied research project or an in-depth research paper, and defend their work in front of a panel of faculty and experts.

This course is completed asynchronously online. The HEA Program must register you for this course; please get in touch with your academic advisor for help with registration. Students may only take this course during their final semster in the HEA Program.

This hybrid course explores how campus environments—from residence halls and student life to DEI initiatives and policy—shape belonging, wellbeing, and student success. Grounded in the work of Lewin, Astin, Bronfenbrenner, and Strayhorn, as well as Jesuit values of cura personalis and social justice, students examine how people and place interact to influence learning and equity. The course combines asynchronous online modules with a three-day, in-person immersion in Washington, DC, where students visit colleges, universities, and nonprofits to engage directly with higher education leaders. Through case studies, reflection, and applied projects, students connect theory to practice as they learn to analyze and design learning environments that help all students thrive.

This Study Tour course is completed asynchronously online but requires a 3-day residency; July 7th, 8th, and 9th in Washington, DC. There will be a welcome reception on the night of July 6th, 2025. This section of the course includes a fee for the three-day residency program and hotel costs totaling $1,859.50.

This hybrid course explores how campus environments—from residence halls and student life to DEI initiatives and policy—shape belonging, wellbeing, and student success. Grounded in the work of Lewin, Astin, Bronfenbrenner, and Strayhorn, as well as Jesuit values of cura personalis and social justice, students examine how people and place interact to influence learning and equity. The course combines asynchronous online modules with a three-day, in-person immersion in Washington, DC, where students visit colleges, universities, and nonprofits to engage directly with higher education leaders. Through case studies, reflection, and applied projects, students connect theory to practice as they learn to analyze and design learning environments that help all students thrive.

This Study Tour course is completed asynchronously online but requires a 3-day residency; July 7th, 8th, and 9th in Washington, DC. There will be a welcome reception on the night of July 6th, 2025. This section of the course includes a fee of $709.50 for the 3-day residency program, WITHOUT a hotel.

In this elective, students gain an understanding of enrollment management processes as well as strategies for recruiting, retaining, admitting, and enrolling students. The course examines the different stakeholders and gives an overview of the different factors influencing enrollment: financial aid and scholarships, academic standards, demographics, legal precedent, and institutional goals. Students learn recruitment and enrollment strategies based on research, differentiation, marketing, and data analysis and reporting.

This course is completed asynchronously online

This course is designed to survey the policy landscape that has helped shape higher education and considers the direction and implications of current and future policies. Students examine federal, state, and local policies that affect institutions, including policies governing assessment systems and the regulation and financing of schools. They also explore the ways in which policy influences various aspects of the university, including governance, research, and student affairs.

The practicum allows students to apply classroom concepts in the field. Participants spend a semester in a department or functional area of an institution and gain experience as a higher education administrator. Students are expected to reflect on the practicum and synthesize the experience with their coursework. Students work with an advisor for this learning experience, and assignments evaluate their learning throughout the duration of the practicum. Students may take up to two elective practicums as part of their course of study. This opportunity gives students a better understanding of possible career paths through hands-on experience.

Students must apply for the Practicum through the HEA program. Once a Practicum is secured, the program will register you for this course. Students may NOT self-register for Practicum. This course is completed asynchronously online.

This second course of the two-part practicum series allows students to build on the foundational experiences gained from the prior semester. Participants spend a semester in a department or functional area of an institution and gain further experience as a higher education administrator. Students are expected to reflect on the practicum and synthesize the experience with their coursework. Students work with an advisor for this learning experience, and assignments evaluate their learning throughout the duration of the practicum. Students may take up to two elective practicums as part of their course of study. This opportunity gives students a better understanding of possible career paths through hands-on experience.

Students may consider doing an independent study if they have a specific research need that cannot be fulfilled in a regularly scheduled course. This course provides the opportunity to synthesize theoretical and practical content taught during the program into one course experience. Each student works with a faculty advisor who serves as a guide through the detailed development and execution of the independent study project and related deliverables. Students may take up to two independent study courses as part of their course of study. This course requires special approval from the program.

Taken at the beginning of the program, this course introduces students to the field of higher education. This course begins with an overview of the historical development of the American higher education system. It then introduces students to a variety of institution types, governance and administration structures, and key stakeholders in higher education (students, parents, faculty, administrators, governing/accrediting bodies, etc.) and their various roles.

This course meets in person on the day and time listed at Capitol Campus. This is a required course for all HEA students.

Taken at the beginning of the program, this course introduces students to the field of higher education. This course begins with an overview of the historical development of the American higher education system. It then introduces students to a variety of institution types, governance and administration structures, and key stakeholders in higher education (students, parents, faculty, administrators, governing/accrediting bodies, etc.) and their various roles.

This course is completed asynchronously online. This is a required course for all HEA students.

All students are required to complete a three-credit capstone project as the culminating experience of the program. This course, taken during the student’s last semester, demonstrates the student’s advanced grasp of the discipline of higher education administration and provides the opportunity to synthesize all of the theoretical and practical content taught during the program into one course experience. Each student works with a faculty advisor who serves as a guide through the detailed development and execution of the project and related deliverables. The capstone project is also an opportunity for students to develop connections and gain mentors to help them progress in their career upon graduation. To successfully fulfill the capstone requirement, students must complete an applied research project or an in-depth research paper, and defend their work in front of a panel of faculty and experts.

This course is completed asynchronously online. This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion.Students must connect with the program director to be registered for this course - Students cannot self-register for this course.

The demand for ethical leadership is at an all-time high in today’s dynamic and challenging environment. Leaders face immense pressure to deliver results while navigating moral dilemmas with far-reaching consequences. Ethical intelligence is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. This interdisciplinary course equips professionals with tools to navigate the ethical challenges of leadership across a range of fields — from higher education to human resources and beyond. You will explore ethical theories, frameworks, and models and how to align individual and organizational values to foster ethical decision making. Applying theory to practice, this course embraces Ignatian pedagogy and is rooted in social justice and engaged reflection. Through experiential exercises, real-world case studies, and scenario analyses, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to make ethical decisions, lead with integrity, and embed a culture of ethics and accountability within your organization.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed. This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion.

The demand for ethical leadership is at an all-time high in today’s dynamic and challenging environment. Leaders face immense pressure to deliver results while navigating moral dilemmas with far-reaching consequences. Ethical intelligence is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. This interdisciplinary course equips professionals with tools to navigate the ethical challenges of leadership across a range of fields — from higher education to human resources and beyond. You will explore ethical theories, frameworks, and models and how to align individual and organizational values to foster ethical decision making. Applying theory to practice, this course embraces Ignatian pedagogy and is rooted in social justice and engaged reflection. Through experiential exercises, real-world case studies, and scenario analyses, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to make ethical decisions, lead with integrity, and embed a culture of ethics and accountability within your organization.

This course is completed asynchronously online. This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion.

This course introduces students to a global approach to higher education, exploring how globalization has affected higher education and how institutions are adapting to the shifting landscape. Throughout the course, students explore current events and issues in higher education with a global perspective while examining the implications that globalization has on governance, operations, academic and student affairs, and enrollment. Topics such as the rise of global-format education programs outside of traditional study abroad programs, increasing international student enrollments, and the expansion of international branch campuses will also be covered.

This course meets in person on the day and time listed at Capitol Campus. This is a required course for all HEA students.

This course introduces students to a global approach to higher education, exploring how globalization has affected higher education and how institutions are adapting to the shifting landscape. Throughout the course, students explore current events and issues in higher education with a global perspective while examining the implications that globalization has on governance, operations, academic and student affairs, and enrollment. Topics such as the rise of global-format education programs outside of traditional study abroad programs, increasing international student enrollments, and the expansion of international branch campuses will also be covered.

This course is completed asynchronously. This is a required course for all HEA students.

The practicum allows students to apply classroom concepts in the field. Participants spend a semester in a department or functional area of an institution and gain experience as a higher education administrator. Students are expected to reflect on the practicum and synthesize the experience with their coursework. Students work with an advisor for this learning experience, and assignments evaluate their learning throughout the duration of the practicum. Students may take up to two elective practicums as part of their course of study. This opportunity gives students a better understanding of possible career paths through hands-on experience.

This course is completed via an online asynchronous learning method. By program approval (must first apply for a practicum placement). Students cannot self-register for this course.

This second course of the two-part practicum series allows students to build on the foundational experiences gained from the prior semester. Participants spend a semester in a department or functional area of an institution and gain further experience as a higher education administrator. Students are expected to reflect on the practicum and synthesize the experience with their coursework. Students work with an advisor for this learning experience, and assignments evaluate their learning throughout the duration of the practicum. Students may take up to two elective practicums as part of their course of study. This opportunity gives students a better understanding of possible career paths through hands-on experience.

This course is completed via an online asynchronous learning method. By program approval (must first apply for a practicum placement). Students cannot self-register for this course.

This course examines innovation in higher education. You'll consider key innovation theories like disruptive innovation, diffusion of innovations, and design thinking, understanding their specific application to colleges and universities. We'll critically examine how innovation impacts higher education, covering ethical, structural, cultural, equity, and policy considerations. You'll learn to assess institutional readiness for innovation using strategic frameworks such as SWOT and PESTEL. A core focus is on designing strategies to foster a culture of innovation within diverse higher education settings. You'll also learn to evaluate innovation initiatives, including stakeholder analysis and implementation planning. Finally, we'll look at future trends in learning, technology, workforce demands, and credentialing, and you'll assess their implications for higher education. The course culminates in a Final Project Assignment. For this project, you'll act as a strategic consultant to a higher education institution, tasked with designing an innovation strategy to increase student degree completion rates.

New course. Open to all students.

This course is intended to be an introduction to the history of collegiate athletics and its development as an economic enterprise, as well as a survey of the major functional areas that contribute to the daily operations of intercollegiate athletic departments. The class will be largely taught using a traditional case-study method and grading is heavily weighted on participation in class discussion. Students will be required to read and prepare for weekly in-class case presentations and discussions on relevant topics as well as one major, semester-long project. Classroom assignments and lectures will also include a focus on preparing students for careers in intercollegiate athletics administration.

This course meets via Zoom on Tuesdays from 5:20 pm to 7:50 pm (ET)

This course will introduce students to the concepts of institutional and strategic planning. Students will learn how to develop, implement, and modify a campus plan, and how to integrate planning with resource management. This course will examine the interplay between institutional and academic initiatives and facilities planning.

This course meets in person on the listed day and time. This course is only open to students with department approval.