Higher education degrees

Degrees in higher education

Students attend college to advance their education to the university level because they want to pursue a career that interests and inspires them. In the higher education system, students are offered an abundant choice of programs that can eventually lead them to different academic and professional paths. Students can pursue a degree in biology, engineering, law, artificial intelligence, art, psychology, to name just a few options in an extensive list of fields, where they will be inspired to discover, design, create, research, and excel.

Upon completion of your coursework, you will be qualified to work in many positions including administration, student affairs, and education.

To successfully guide and equip students with what they need to meet their personal and professional goals, a higher education system needs to be staffed by qualified and talented professionals. A master’s or doctorate degree can open up a variety of career opportunities in the higher education system. In these programs, you will learn the techniques, knowledge, and skills required to work at the university level. Upon completion of your coursework, you will be qualified to work in many positions including administration, student affairs, and education.

The higher education system needs competent, highly-trained individuals to create, maintain, and run successful academic programs, so the students who attend can follow their dreams. Without deans, professors, and administrators none of that would be possible.

» Read: How to get the most of of your education

Master’s in higher education

Before you embark on your academic journey there are a few things you’ll need. Higher education programs will require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate program, which should be in a related field. This could include, but is not limited to, child development, psychology, or education.

Your undergraduate program should provide you with the knowledge that is useful for a master’s in higher education. If you have a degree in an unrelated field, you may need to pass prerequisite coursework before being accepted into the master’s program to ensure you have the necessary foundational knowledge for the graduate program.

Depending on the university you may also need GRE scores, a personal statement, academic references, and a writing sample.

» Read: Test optional movement goes to grad school

Doctorate in higher education

Deciding to pursue the highest level of academia is a feat in itself. You are prepared for the hard work ahead, and are motivated to succeed.

Before you can be admitted to a doctorate program, you need to be sure you have everything the admissions department of your desired university requires. You will need to show a minimum of a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA in either your bachelor’s or master’s programs.

While some programs may require a master’s in higher education, others may only require a bachelor’s in a related field. This will depend on the university.

Universities may also require a writing sample, a resume outlining professional experience in the field, academic references, and an outline of your doctoral thesis or dissertation. This will show the faculty of the program the kind of research you want to conduct, which methods you will use, and an indication of your anticipated timeline and theoretical framework. This is a vital part of your application because it shows the faculty what research interests you, and how you can bring something new to the table.

» Read: Ways to get paid to earn a Ph.D.

Online vs. on campus

At either level there will be opportunities for you to earn your desired degree online or on campus. The commitment for a master’s program is typically 2 years, and the commitment for a doctorate program can be 3-5 years. The time it takes to earn a graduate or doctorate degree can be a deciding factor to whether you want to pursue it online or on campus.

Much can change in someone’s life over a period of 2-5 years, so making sure the degree works with your lifestyle is crucial for success. For example, as the primary caregiver of young children, an online degree may suit you better because you can study while the children are napping or at school.

Other students may work better with face-to-face instruction because they lose focus easily when they are studying at home. Options are available either way, but make sure the university is accredited before applying.

» Read: Accommodation options for students

Does my university need to be accredited?

Accreditation is a vital part of the higher education system. It separates universities from non-accredited programs based on the high standard of excellence set by an accreditation agency appointed by the U.S. Department of Education. The role of these agencies is to ensure that academic programs provide students with the knowledge needed to pursue higher education, professional careers, or licensing and certification.

If you are unsure if the university you are applying for is accredited, visit the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to look up your desired program.

Financial Aid

A master’s or a doctorate program can rack up hefty fees. Tuition, books, fees, and parking are all costs that add up quickly, especially for a program that continues over a few years. At the master’s or doctorate level, there are financial aid opportunities available.

Federal Student Aid is a federal grant given to students who qualify for financial assistance. The amount given will depend on your financial background and the information you provide. A free application, FASFA, is completed online with the essential documentation. After submitting the form, you generally receive a response regarding whether you are eligible, and if so, the amount of aid you can receive, within a few weeks.

» Read: How to successfully fill our your FAFSA

Masters concentrations

If you want to advance your knowledge about a certain area within higher education, then choosing a program concentration could be beneficial for your professional development. This is an additional set of courses that examine an aspect of higher education that can help with your career after graduation.

Adult education

For those who want to pursue a career educating adults, this concentration might interest you. You will learn about theory, research, assessment methods, and instructional methods geared to the successful academic achievement of adults.

Administration and leadership

This concentration prepares students for a career in administration. You will focus on law, finance, theory, history and policies that shape an education program.

Student affairs

This concentration introduces students to research, theories, educational philosophy, and strategies that influence decisions in higher education.

Career options with master’s degree

Doctorate program concentrations

A program concentration will better prepare you for your professional endeavors by teaching you additional content in a specific area in higher education. You will choose this based on your interest and future goals.

Educational leadership

This concentration may be of interest if you are planning a career in higher education administration, education, or as a superintendent. You will explore the political involvement, sociological theories, and research that supports successful educational leadership.

Policy analysis

This concentration will advance your understanding of qualitative research methods and how they relate to educational policy. It explores the relationship between current policies and essential job positions in higher education.

Multicultural education

Through evidence-based research, sociological theories, and leadership techniques you will understand and explore the problems that students of multicultural backgrounds are faced within the higher education system, and how to implement solutions to them.

Career options with a doctorate degree