Higher Education Administration (M.S.E.) Program Curriculum & Admission Requirements

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Coursework

The academic coursework is designed to develop the knowledge base necessary for effective research and scholarship development.

Assistantship

Relate relevant assistantship experiences to classroom learning. For full-time students, admission to the program is required prior to being awarded a graduate assistantship, and securing an assistantship is required for enrollment in the program. Graduate assistants receive a full tuition waiver, competitive stipend, and health insurance benefits.
Additional terms and conditions apply.

Culminating experience

Students will complete a culminating theory-to-practice capstone course as the final course in the program. The capstone course will includes assessment of the student’s knowledge of the coursework; ability to reason, evaluate and draw supportable conclusions; and knowledge of current issues and trends within the field.

Internship

Students can choose to participate in self-directed internships to complement their graduate assistantship experience. KU students often participate in national internship exchange programs, such as through NODA (Orientation Programs) and ACUHO-I (Housing & Conference Services).

Program Curriculum

The program consists of 33 credit hours of integrated courses and hands-on experiences - all of which can be completed in two years. Students can choose to participate in self-directed internships to complement their graduate assistantship experience. KU students often participate in national internship exchange programs, such as through NODA (Orientation Programs) and ACUHO-I (Housing & Conference Services).

Course Requirements

ELPS 780 Introduction to Higher Education Administration

ELPS 781 Student Services in Higher Education

ELPS 782 Higher Education and Society

ELPS 786 Introduction to College Leadership

ELPS 879 Higher Education Law & Policy

ELPS 882 Higher Education in the United States

ELPS 883 The College Student

ELPS 884 College Student Access, Persistence, and Success

ELPS 885 Assessment and Program Evaluation in Higher Education

ELPS 886 Theory into Practice in Higher Education

EPSY 715 Understanding Research in Education

Please note: This is only a potential plan of study. Consult with your academic advisor before enrolling.

KU Higher Education Administration Core Learning Domains

Students will engage with higher education as a discipline by demonstrating an awareness of the historical contexts that have shaped higher education, as well as its contemporary organizational structures and functions.

Students will evaluate the legal, policy, ethical, and social issues that impact institutional administration and leadership by integrating conceptual frameworks and practical considerations.

Students will articulate college students’ varied pathways to and through higher education across different contemporary institutional contexts.

Students will apply scholarly knowledge and design assessment strategies to inform practical decision-making.

Students will engage in reflective leadership to inform their practice in higher education, applying theory and data to address diverse institutional settings and student needs.

Graduate Admission

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements. International applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa-related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.

Application Deadlines (full-time, domestic & international applicants)

Jan. 6, 2027

Fall semester priority* deadline

May 5, 2027

Fall semester final deadline

Application Deadlines (part-time applicants)

Dec. 2, 2026

Spring application deadline

May 5, 2027

Summer semester application deadline

July 7, 2027

Fall semester application deadline

*The priority deadline is to participate in the assistantship process for full-time applicants. We are unable to guarantee availability of assistantships for students who submit for the final deadline. Individuals participating in the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE) are not required to submit an academic application prior to OPE. See the Employment graduate staff page for more information.

*All full-time students are required to hold a graduate assistantship during the duration of the program. Exceptions to this policy may be requested by emailing the MSE program coordinator at elps@ku.edu. Exceptions may include scholarships or other outside-sponsored funding that covers tuition (such as Fulbright or government-sponsored education).

Application Checklist

M.S.E. in Higher Education Administration

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline:

International Students FAQs

No, unfortunately, we are unable to offer application fee waivers.

Yes, through a competitive interview process. Generally, if admitted, the program coordinator will contact you to ask for application materials to be considered for a GA position in February of the application year. If you are not able to make it in person, a virtual interview will be accommodated.

GA positions are administrative in nature, and do not include teaching or research positions. The positions come with a tuition waiver, but do not cover fees or other educationally related expenses. Admission to the program does not guarantee a GA position.

All full-time students are required to hold a graduate assistantship during the duration of the program. Exceptions to this policy may be requested by emailing the MSE program coordinator at elps@ku.edu. Exceptions may include scholarships or other outside-sponsored funding that covers tuition (such as Fulbright or government-sponsored education).

Not necessarily. If you are a native English speaker, you generally would not need to provide proof of English language proficiency. Options for demonstrating English language proficiency can be located on the Graduate Admissions English proficiency requirements page.

In most cases, no, KU is able to evaluate your transcript internally. This is highly dependent on the institution from which the transcript is from. We advise you to submit the official copy of your transcript, and we will reach out if further evaluation is necessary.

HEA is the study of colleges and universities. Graduates of our program generally pursue student affairs and academic support positions. The degree is not intended for those interested in primary and secondary education or research positions. Its purpose is to prepare practitioners and generally does not include teaching and funded research opportunities.

The application will open September 8, 2026. The priority deadline for the full-time program is January 6, 2027 with a final deadline of May 5, 2027.

Graduate admissions information can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
Information on international student services and visa requirements can be found on the International Support Services page.

Yes, we will update this website with more information this fall.

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.

Apply Online request info