Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration Curriculum

Program structure

Coursework

The academic coursework is designed to develop the knowledge base necessary for a career in higher education administration.

Program Curriculum - Option #1

Option 1 is primarily intended for individuals with bachelor’s degrees. ELPS 780 Introduction to Higher Education is the anchoring course. The student will take two additional courses selected from among master's courses. These could be counted towards a master's degree.

Please note, this is a potential plan of study. Please consult with your faculty advisor before enrolling. Please note the required courses must be completed and can not be substituted for other courses.

Additional requirements

Elective 1 - 3 credit hours
Elective 2 - 3 credit hours
Total program credit hours - 9

Program Curriculum - Option #2

Option 2 is for individuals with significant full-time administrative and work experience in higher education or who have a doctoral degree. The anchoring course is ELPS 851 The History of Higher Education in the United States. Students will take two electives selected from among master's or doctoral courses. With careful planning, these courses could count towards either the EdD or PhD.

Additional requirements

Elective 1 - 3 credit hours
Elective 2 - 3 credit hours
Total program credit hours - 9

Graduate Admission

The requirements are completion on a bachelor’s degree and submission of a personal statement.

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

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Student Resources

Resources for undergraduate, graduate and all students.

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Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration FAQs

In some cases, yes. Depending on the option that you select, there may be an opportunity to complete one or all of the courses online.

There are limited summer course offerings. Students enrolled in the graduate certificate should expect to take courses in the fall and spring semesters.

The graduate certificate is intended for full-time working professionals, graduate students in other programs etc. Our program does not offer funding opportunities for students in the graduate certificate. However, the university may offer financial benefits for employees. Please contact the HR representative for your respective KU office or unit.

Possibly, after consultation with the faculty program coordinator and approval of the course instructor.

Yes, but contact the faculty program coordinator for further information.

Students enrolled in the certificate will usually enroll in the master level courses in the MSE in Higher Education Administration. Examples of courses are ELPS 883: The College Student, ELPS 781: Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, and ELPS 786: Introduction to College Leadership. Additional electives are usually offered each semester.

There are two options: Option 1 and Option 2. Option 1 is primarily intended for individuals with bachelor’s degrees, while Option 2 is intended for students with a more extensive background in higher education (i.e., completion of a doctoral degree and/or extensive administrative experience in a higher education).

Courses are usually offered Monday-Friday (4:30 – 7:00 pm). There are also some hybrid/online courses.

The fundamental difference between the options is the completion of one core course. Option 1 requires ELPS 780 (Introduction to Higher Education), and Option 2 requires ELPS 851 (The History of Higher Education in the U.S.). Students in both options will complete two electives.

No. Students must complete the respective required course for the program curriculum option that is selected.