Master of Education in Higher Education

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About the Degree

Higher Education Administration and the Student Affairs in Higher Education master degree programs prepare students for entry- and mid-level administration and student services positions in private and public colleges and universities, as well as community colleges and other postsecondary education institutions.  The focus of the degree programs varies based upon the departments or functional areas of higher education and a student’s interest within the field.

Student Affairs in Higher Education

Students in a Student Affairs in Higher Education program are typically interested in working in the division of Student Affairs and/or working directly with students in academic advising, career services, new student programming/orientation, wellness, residence life and student housing, student activities, Greek affairs, multicultural/diversity services, student development, career exploration and leadership development.  The emphasis of the program is on student growth and development.

Higher Education Administration

Students in a Higher Education Administration program are typically interested in working in departments or functional areas other than those typically found in the student affairs division. These include enrollment management, financial aid, registrar, government and community relations, policy analysis, alumni relations, institutional and policy research, and athletics administration.

Mission Statement

The mission of the DeSales University Masters of Education in Higher Education (MHE) is to prepare individuals working or seeking to work in professional positions in the vast array of sectors and functional areas of higher education at private and public colleges and universities, as well as community colleges and other post-secondary education institutions.  This rigorous, innovative, and highly experiential theory-to-practice program emphasizes Christian humanism and Salesian values of ethics, social justice, and servant leadership. 

Learning Outcomes

1. The ability to articulate and apply Christian humanism and Salesian moral principles as well as the ethical principles and standards of the higher education profession to their personal and professional lives, in their decision-making, and in the execution of professional duties and responsibilities.
2. Knowledge of higher education law and the relevance of general legal statutes to higher education.
3. A depth and breadth of knowledge of college student development and application of this knowledge in the performance of roles and in the delivery of programs and services.
4. An understanding of the history and philosophy of higher education and an ability to critically analyze contemporary global and social issues for their impact and influence on the current and future status of higher education.
5. An openness to exploring issues of diversity and equity from both a personal and professional perspective and a commitment to improving access and making environments of higher education fair, just, and inclusive.
6. Knowledge of theories, principles, and skills of effective leadership and administration as applied across all entities of higher education.
7. Understanding of organizational development and change theories and the implication for the organizational structures and dynamics of higher education.
8. Knowledge of the economics and finance of higher education and preparation in financial decision-making and in the development of budgets.
9. Depth of understanding and skill in conducting assessment, evaluation, and research of relevance to professional practice in higher education.
10. A capacity for integrating theory and knowledge of higher education in professional practice with supervision.

Admissions Requirements

Applications are evaluated on a rolling admissions basis, with start-terms limited to spring (part-time) and fall (full-time) at first.  Requirements for admission to the MHE program are:

• a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges) or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
• acceptable level of academic quality in undergraduate work. Normally, this is defined as having achieved an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
• two years of full-time work experience is strongly recommended.  Relevant part-time experience will also be considered.  Candidates with less experience may be required to interview with the Admissions Committee individually or as part of a group.  Applicants will be notified at the earliest possible date about their admission status.

Otherwise-qualified individuals who do not meet the 3.0 and/or professional experience criteria may appeal for provisional admission. Provisional admission allows the post-baccalaureate student to enroll in up to six credits of coursework prior to application for regular admission

Application Checklist Items

• Application Fee: $50
• Standardized Exam Required: No
• Official Transcripts Required: Yes
• Personal Statement Required: Yes Statement must address knowledge and understanding of work in higher education and the importance of moral and ethical behavior in higher education
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required / 2 Professional, 1 Academic
• Resume Required: Yes
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International Applicants

• Transcript Evaluation is required through a NACES member Candidates who completed a degree outside of the US are considered upon review of an official transcript evaluation from a member of NACES. An international applicant with a degree awarded as the result of studies less than four years must show proof that such degree is equivalent with a comparable four-year long US study.
• Certificate of Finances demonstrating an ability to fund the degree

English Competency Exam is required: TOEFL, IELTS or CAE International applicants (regardless of citizenship) for whom English is a second language must submit English proficiency test scores as part of their application. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to further assess English-speaking and comprehension skills through a personal interview.
 

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Internal Transfer

Students enrolled in a graduate education program offered by the University may transfer to another graduate education program offered by the University with the approval in writing of the director of MEd programs. An additional application fee is not required and ordinarily admissions credentials need not be resubmitted, but the requestor must submit a formal letter of request for transfer as well as a new statement of goals. Depending upon the director’s approval, credits earned in the original program may be partially or fully applied toward the new degree.

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions Policy

Up to nine credits of graduate work (generally at a 500 level or greater), with grades of a “B” or better, and completed within five years of the request for transfer may be transferred from graduate programs within the University or from other graduate programs of accredited institutions of higher education to partially fulfill requirements of any program. The course content must parallel DeSales course offerings or be relevant to the degree sought. Applicants must provide an official transcript, course description and any other documentation requested by the University. All transfers must be approved by the director of MEd programs. Transfer of credits earned before admission must be requested in writing at the time of application for admission. Students wishing to transfer courses taken at another institution during the completion of a program must receive prior approval from the director. Courses offered by DeSales University as part of a program cannot be taken elsewhere for transfer if a student has the opportunity to take them at DeSales University during the current or future semesters during a reasonable time frame for completion of a program. Approval of transfer will not be granted unless for extenuating circumstances and only if denial of request for transfer will deny student progress toward program completion. Courses in MEd programs have outcomes aligned with program outcomes and transferred courses rarely align exactly. Therefore, desire for a more rapid completion of a program will not constitute an extenuating circumstance or grounds for approval of transfer.

Academic Schedule

The Academic year of the MHE program consists of three sessions:

Fall (14 weeks) early September - early December

Spring (16 weeks) early January - late April

Summer (14 weeks) early May - early August

Summer A (7 weeks) early may - mid June

Summer B (7 weeks) mid June - early August

Day courses are delivered face-to-face on campus, while evening courses are taught in the ‘flex’ format.  This means that students may attend classes on-campus or participate online synchronously via Zoom.  The Academic Calendar may be found at www.desales.edu/XXX

Student Status

A full-time student is one who carries at least six credits.  Normally, students following the full-time plan of study will enroll in nine credits in the fall and spring semesters

A half-time student is one who carries at least three credits. 

A student will be deemed inactive after twelve months of non-enrollment.  The student must reapply to be reinstated to continue in the program. 

Student Categories

Applicants may be admitted to the MHE program in one of the following categories: 

Regular Student Category

An applicant in this category is pursuing a degree only and meets all admission requirements.

Special Student Category

Qualified students may enroll in graduate courses on a per-course basis up to a maximum of six credits without formal admission to a program.  The successful completion of the course does not imply acceptance into the program. However, courses taken under this status may be applied towards program requirements once regular student status is attained.

Provisional Student Category

A post-baccalaureate student who does not fully meet the GPA requirement may enroll in up to six credits of course work within the Department. Upon successful completion of the six credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 achieved in the graduate program, the student may then apply for admission as a Regular Student.

Elective Courses

The director of the program should approve all elective courses taken as part of the degree program allowing for electives.

Academic Standing GPA Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for each semester of enrollment. If a cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for one semester the student will be deemed “on probation” and must interview with the M.Ed. Director to formulate a remediation plan. A student may be placed on probation only once. If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for a second semester, the graduate student will be withdrawn from the program. Minimum Grade: Students must attain a C+ or higher in Education courses not required for certification, but required for the master’s degree. In courses required for certification, a student must attain a B or higher or repeat the course in order to demonstrate mastery of the competencies. Students in certification programs may receive no more than 2 grades at the B- level.

Program Progression: All students must meet with a Graduate Advisor once each year to review program progress. Students are expected to continuously enroll in the courses according to the course plan. Students who have not taken a course within a span of 12 months will be considered withdrawn from the program and must reapply in order to gain approval for reinstatement.

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete is given only after an acute and significant unforeseen event prevents a student from completing the course. An incomplete is given at the discretion of the instructor and with the approval of the M.Ed. Director.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class hours. For online sessions, students must meet participation requirements equal to class attendance. See course syllabus for specific attendance/participation requirements. An unexcused absence of more than two hours (total) from a one-credit course or two class meetings from a three-credit course shall result in a grade of “F”. For online class sessions, completion of all required viewing, discussion, and assignments constitutes an attended class. An incomplete will only be approved by the MEd director if an unforeseen and acute circumstance occurs that hinders course completion. A student request for an incomplete with a rationale must be made in writing to the professor of the course and the MEd director prior to the Monday of final exam week. The professor and MEd director in consultation will approve the incomplete for a specified period of time not to exceed six months.

Registration

Registration normally begins eight weeks before the first class meeting. The University reserves the right to limit enrollment, or cancel a course if registration is insufficient. Registration is done through Web Advisor at www.desales.edu/webadvisor. New students must work with the program advisor for registration information. 

Student Orientation

All students registered for courses in programs either before or after acceptance are encouraged to participate in a two-hour non-credit Student Orientation conducted prior to each session of the academic semester. There is no fee for this orientation. More information on the Student Orientation including scheduled dates for each session can be obtained from the program office.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are available at www.desales.edu.

Tuition Refunds

Both on-campus and online course days constitute course sessions in the calculation of refunds.

Withdrawal during the add/drop period: 100% of tuition refunded.

Withdrawal after the 1st class after the close of the add drop period: 75% of tuition refunded.

Withdrawal after the 2nd class after the close of the add drop period: 50% of tuition refunded

Withdrawal after the 3rd class after the close of the add drop period: 25% of tuition refunded

Withdrawal after the 4th class after the close of the add drop period: No refund.

Graduation Requirements, MHE Program

The following graduation requirements apply to all MEd degrees:

1. Completion of the 36 credit plan of study of graduate credits in an approved program of study.

2. An overall 3.0 GPA for all course work taken at DeSales towards completion of the degree.

3. Resolution of all incomplete grades.

4. Completion of the capstone course requirements with a grade of “B” or higher.

5. Successful completion of two internships with a grade of “B” or higher.

6. Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University.

Computer Literacy

The University expects all incoming students to be familiar with and able to use basic word processing, Blackboard navigation, digital file management, e-mail and Internet. Applicants lacking this background should acquire it through appropriate learning experiences before registration in the first course in the program. Only DeSales email addresses will be used for communication among students, professors, and administrators.

Online, Flex and Hybrid Course Technical Requirements

All students registered for online or hybrid courses are required to:

• have access to Internet above dial-up speeds and

• use a headset with microphone (no open speakers with external mic)

• have attended a Blackboard Basics training session through DEIT or attest that Blackboard competence has already been acquired

Additional technical requirements include:

• Microsoft Office 2010 or higher

Additional plug-in download may be required. Student is responsible for determining what specific technology is required for course before registration.

Programs

• Higher Education, Higher Education Administration (MEd)
• Higher Education, Student Affairs Administration (MEd)

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