UNT’s Higher Education program is one of the most established in the Southwest. We have graduated more than 1,000 doctoral and master’s alumni; many holding leadership positions in universities and colleges around the country as well as overseas.
The master’s degree in higher education prepares students for entry-level and mid-management positions in higher education administration in areas such as student life, student housing, career centers, multicultural centers, student unions, advancement offices, alumni offices, academic advising centers, international student offices, financial aid offices, dean of student’s offices, institutional research offices, and business affairs offices. The student affairs track meets the requirements of the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) for graduate programs in student affairs.
The Master of Education in Higher Education is offered in three formats:
- The Standard Master’s Degree in Higher Education allows the student to specialize in one of three tracks: student affairs, community college leadership, or general administration.
- The Online option allows students to complete their degree fully online.
- The Master’s Cohort Program in college student personnel focuses on student affairs and includes immediate consideration for a graduate assistant position in student affairs or a related area.
The Master’s Cohort in Student Affairs is a two-year program that requires full-time enrollment. Cohort students are given consideration for one of 50+ graduate assistant positions in student affairs or a related area working 20 hours per week. Graduate Assistants receive a monthly stipend for a 9 to 12-month contract.
Applications for the Master's Cohort in Student Affairs are accepted in the spring for fall admission only. An on-campus interview is required with both the Higher Education Program and the Graduate Assistant Program within the Division of Student Affairs. Applicants will receive individual notifications regarding Interview Day.
**Deadline to apply is March 1**
Apply to the University of North Texas
Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). Go to the Graduate Admissions Webpage for the links, instructions, and guidance. Graduate Admissions | University of North Texas (unt.edu) You will submit program related material listed below through the GradCAS portal.
Before you begin this application, you will need:
- To provide the name, title and email addresses of three references.
- To upload a writing sample, not to exceed two pages, addressing:
- Your goals and aspirations related to the field of higher education.
- One or more significant life events that contributed to the development of these aspirations
- The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your goals.
- The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve or change in order to realize your aspirations.
- Any other information you think would be helpful in evaluating your application.
- To upload a resume or curriculum vitae.
Examples of Classes for MEd Cohort in Student Affairs
Foundations of Student Development (EDHE 5110)
- Principles and techniques of administration applied to the student development subsystem of higher education institutions. Applications to both senior and community college institutions.
Student Demographics (EDHE 5210)
- Designed to increase knowledge and learning in the area of college student demographics and current student issues. Provides a comprehensive examination of the demographics and collegiate experiences of today’s postsecondary education student populations in light of current conceptualizations, perspectives and research. Topics include characteristics of entering students and student subcultures.
History and Philosophy of Higher Education (EDHE 6510)
- Study of the development of higher education in the United States, including the forces that have shaped institutions and institutional culture and practice. Identification of the significant events and philosophies that have influenced the evolution of higher education institutions and analysis of the implications of these for practice and for the future of higher education.
Organization and Administration of Higher Education (EDHE 6710)
- Examination of the theoretical principles of organizational behavior, leadership and institutional culture applied to a functional examination of administrative roles in higher education.
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA to earn the degree. The student affairs track meets the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education’s requirements for graduate programs in student affairs.
The student must meet the requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School and a specific set of department requirements when applying to the master's program. To view the graduate school requirements, go to the Admission section of this catalog or visit the Toulouse Graduate School website at graduateschool.unt.edu.
Degree requirements
Master of Education degree
- 15 credit hours of higher education core courses
- 12 credit hours of higher education specialization courses
- 6 credit hours of an internship or 3 credit hours of a field problem
- 3 credit hours of a statistics course
The standard master’s degree in higher education allows the student to specialize in one of three tracks: student affairs, community college leadership, or general administration.
Apply to the University of North Texas
Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). Go to the Graduate Admissions Webpage for the links, instructions, and guidance. Graduate Admissions | University of North Texas (unt.edu) You will submit program related material listed below through the GradCAS portal.
Before you begin this application, you will need:
- To provide the name, title and email addresses of three references.
- To upload a writing sample, not to exceed two pages, addressing:
- Your goals and aspirations related to the field of higher education.
- One or more significant life events that contributed to the development of these aspirations
- The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your goals.
- The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve or change in order to realize your aspirations.
- Any other information you think would be helpful in evaluating your application.
- To upload a resume or curriculum vitae.
The student must meet the requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School and a specific set of department requirements when applying to the master's program. To view the graduate school requirements, go to the Admission section of this catalog or visit the Toulouse Graduate School website at graduateschool.unt.edu.
Degree requirements
Master of Education degree
- 15 credit hours of higher education core courses
- 12 credit hours of higher education specialization courses
- 6 credit hours of an internship or 3 credit hours of a field problem
- 3 credit hours of a statistics course
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA to earn the degree. The student affairs track meets the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education’s requirements for graduate programs in student affairs.
The Higher Education Program offers a 36-credit hour online Master of Education in Higher Education with an emphasis in General Administration, designed to meet the educational needs of those looking to advance within or enter careers in higher education. Our outstanding faculty provide high quality historical, theoretical and philosophical content mastery and skills development in our online course options so that you can earn a Master of Education degree from a distance and with greater flexibility.
Apply to the University of North Texas
Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). Go to the Graduate Admissions Webpage for the links, instructions, and guidance. Graduate Admissions | University of North Texas (unt.edu) You will submit program related material listed below through the GradCAS portal.
Before you begin this application, you will need:
- To provide the name, title and email addresses of three references.
- To upload a writing sample, not to exceed two pages, addressing:
- Your goals and aspirations related to the field of higher education.
- One or more significant life events that contributed to the development of these aspirations
- The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your goals.
- The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve or change in order to realize your aspirations.
- Any other information you think would be helpful in evaluating your application.
- To upload a resume or curriculum vitae.
The student must meet the requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School and a specific set of department requirements when applying to the master's program. To view the graduate school requirements, go to the Admission section of this catalog or visit the Toulouse Graduate School website at graduateschool.unt.edu.
Examples of Online courses
Foundations of Student Development (EDHE 5110)
- Principles and techniques of administration applied to the student development subsystem of higher education institutions. Applications to both senior and community college institutions.
Student Demographics (EDHE 5210)
- Designed to increase knowledge and learning in the area of college student demographics and current student issues. Provides a comprehensive examination of the demographics and collegiate experiences of today’s postsecondary education student populations in light of current conceptualizations, perspectives and research. Topics include characteristics of entering students and student subcultures.
History and Philosophy of Higher Education (EDHE 6510)
- Study of the development of higher education in the United States, including the forces that have shaped institutions and institutional culture and practice. Identification of the significant events and philosophies that have influenced the evolution of higher education institutions and analysis of the implications of these for practice and for the future of higher education.
Organization and Administration of Higher Education (EDHE 6710)
- Examination of the theoretical principles of organizational behavior, leadership and institutional culture applied to a functional examination of administrative roles in higher education.