Online Master's in Higher Education Administration
Online Course Schedule for Spring 2025

Capstone

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.

Note: 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. Registration requires department approval.

Ethics/Leadership in Higher Ed

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.

Higher Education Practicum

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.

Higher Education Practicum II

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.

Note: This course meets asynchronously - there are no meeting times.

Org & Admin in Higher Ed

This course will introduce students to the governance, structure, and management of higher education institutions. Different institution types (community colleges, colleges, universities, for-profit institutions) will be addressed so that students begin to understand how operating models differ among institutions. This course will prepare students for further course work in the Administration focus area and will provide an introduction to several elective courses, including Faculty Governance and Academic Administration, Budgeting and Financing in Higher Education, and Planning and Resource Management in Higher Education.

Note: This course is completed asynchronously online - there are no meeting times.

Plan. & Resource Mgmt. in HEA

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.

StdtAffairs:Orient to Prfssion

This course will provide students with an overview of the profession of student affairs. Students will explore the role of student affairs professionals in relation to functional/programmatic areas and supporting the institutional mission. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the responsibilities that student affairs professionals have in promoting holistic student development including intellectual, social, moral, and emotional development. Emphasis will be placed on self-reflection and developing a professional philosophy towards student affairs practice.

Note: This course is completed asynchronously online.