Higher Education Administration
Degrees Offered
The Higher Education Administration program is designed to enhance leadership skills and prepare students for executive, administrative (business administration, academic affairs, and student affairs), academic support, and faculty positions.
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in higher education administration
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in higher education administration
Online Masters (M.A.) - Higher Education Administration
The master’s program is designed to enhance leadership skills and prepare students for administration positions within college and university settings. Features
• Online graduate program with options for face-to-face courses
• Part-time or full-time enrollment options
• Courses can be taken from any geographic location
• Flexible program of study (two to eight years to complete the program)
• Advanced learning platform technologies (synchronous and asynchronous)
• Courses taught by full-time faculty and administrators
Career Placement
• Alumni have been placed within executive, administrative (business administration, academic affairs, and student affairs), and faculty support positions.
• Higher education administrators held about 161,800 jobs in 2012 and employment in this area is projected to grow 15% from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.
• Higher education administrators work at colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical schools.
FACULTY
CHAIR
• Dale S. Niederhauser - Ph.D.
PROFESSOR EMERITUS
• Ernest Goeres - Ph.D. (University of Iowa)
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
• Lauryl Lefebvre - Ph.D. (University of Indiana)
• Nathan Sorber - Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University)
ADJUNCT PROFESSORS
• John (Jay) Cole - Ph.D. (University of Michigan)
• Gabrielle St. Leger - Ed.D. (West Virginia University)
• Steve Robinson - Ph.D. (University of Alabama)
• Erin McHenry Sorber - Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University)
Acceptance Policy
The University’s Graduate Council sets minimum standards for admission into graduate study. However, faculty members in each respective program area decide who should be admitted into graduate study under their supervision. Ultimately, it is them who certify which students have demonstrated sufficient mastery of the discipline to qualify for a graduate degree. Although a student may be admitted for the purpose of enrolling in advanced coursework, only the program faculty may grant permission for the pursuit of a degree. Likewise, if a student will not be recommended for a degree until the faculties of that specific graduate program have indicated, in writing, that the student has gained satisfactory knowledge and has completed all the requirements for the graduate program.
Applicants for a master of arts degree in higher education administration (HIED) must comply with the WVU requirements for admission to graduate studies, the requirements of the College of Education and Human Services, and those that the HIED program has specified. Admission to all programs is contingent on an assessment of complete official transcripts, including all higher education work attempted, and other evidence of faculty may deem necessary in order to judge students’ prospective success within the graduate program.
If applicants meet the minimum requirements, they may be invited to an on-campus interview. Students will receive official notification of acceptance or rejection within one month of the interview. All students accepted into the program will receive information about their assigned advisor and guidance on the development of a personalized program of study.
Admissions Procedures
The Higher Education Administration Program admits students to the Master of Arts Program once a year for the Fall term. Students should apply prior to February 15 of the academic year they wish to enroll.
Applicants should arrange for the following items to be sent to West Virginia University:
1. All official course transcripts. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be sent to the WVU Office of Admissions. The undergraduate grade point average must be equal to or greater than 3.0 (on a four-point scale)
Office of Admissions - West Virginia University P. O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009 Phone: 304-293-2121 Fax 304-293-3080
2. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Scores. Request that the GRE or MAT send your scores to WVU using Institution Code 5904. Test dates should be within five years of the date of application. Applicants must score at or above the 50th percentile on the GRE or MAT examinations. In addition, all applicants whose native language is not English must have a minimum score of 93 on the internet-based test (IBT) TOEFL examination
In addition to college transcripts and test scores, applicants are required to submit an online application, which can be found at http://grad.wvu.edu . Prepare in advance to upload the following items to the “Supplemental Materials” section of the online application.
1. Letter of application describing past work experience and goals for graduate study in higher education administration. Please upload under
“personal statement” section of the supplemental materials page.
2. Resume. Please upload under “resume/vitae” section of the supplemental materials page.
3. Complete contact information and description of professional relationship for three references. Please upload under “other” section of the supplemental materials page. Do not submit references contacts under the “recommendations” section of the online application, as letters of recommendation are not required.
4. Two scholarly writing samples. Please upload under “other” section of the supplemental materials page.
Curriculum Requirements
NOTE: EDLS courses that are specific to the Higher Education Administration program will be changed over to HIED courses in the Spring of 2015.
A minimum GPA of 3.25 is required in all major courses. A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses.
Required Common Core (12 credit hours)
HIED 650 Higher Education Admin 3
HIED 651 College Student Development 3
EDLS 693A Special Topics 3
EDLS 693X Special Topics 3 Required Research Core Courses* (6 credit hours)
EDP 612 Introduction to Research 3
EDP 617 Program Evaluation (Required Research Core Courses* (6 credit hours)) 3
Sample of HIED/EDLS ELECTIVES (6 credit hours)
EDLS 693Y SPTP:Enrollmnt Mang Higher Ed 3
HIED 693B SPTP:Org Theory/Behavior 3
Sample of Support Area Courses (9 credit hours)
EDP 600 Educational Psychology 3
EDP 640 Instructional Design 3
C&I 789 Teaching In Higher Education 3
Required Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)
HIED 693C Special Topics 3
Total Hours 36
*or other advisor-approved research methods courses Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)- Higher Education Administration
The Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in higher education administration is currently not accepting new applications due to oversubscription. For an alternative option, see the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies area of emphasis in the Ph.D. in education (interdisciplinary) program at http://www.hre.wvu.edu/education_phd or join our waiting list by visiting http://edls.wvu.edu/hied/doc .
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (ED.D.)- HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION
The Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in higher education administration is currently not accepting new applications due to oversubscription. For an alternative option, see the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies area of emphasis in the Ph.D. in education (interdisciplinary) program at http://www.hre.wvu.edu/education_phd or join our waiting list by visiting http://edls.wvu.edu/hied/doc .
COURSES
EDLS 601. Dynamics-Educational Organiztn. 3 Hours.
A foundation course which introduces students to school cultures, systems theory, hierarchy of school organizations, impact of global issues and forces, strategic planning, and the expanding role of technology as a learning and management tool.
EDLS 602. Human Resources Dynamics. 3 Hours.
An overview of personnel functions with a focus on recruitment, selection, orientation, evaluation, and development; interpersonal skills; motivational theories; and the utilization of technology in the personnel process.
EDLS 603. Principles-Educatnal Leadershp. 3 Hours.
An exploration of the role of leadership in modern education. Topics and simulations include group processes, verbal and non-verbal communication, leadership styles, team building, interpersonal relations, conflict management, and ethical practices.
EDLS 610. School Business Administration. 3 Hours.
Efficient and effective operational procedures at the school and district level relating to the fiscal, spatial, physical conditions, safety and security, and information management systems are explored, including the use of technology.
EDLS 611. Principles of Supervision. 3 Hours.
Students develop instructional leadership skills in working with teachers to understand and improve classroom instruction. Topics include: developing a learning culture, supervisory theories and models, and integration of technology and best instructional practices.
EDLS 612. School:Policies/Politics/Laws. 3 Hours.
An overview of statutes, common law and court decisions. Topics include the politics of education, due process, policy development, the role of federal, state, and local government in public education, and the issues of diversity and equity in a school setting.
EDLS 613. Plan/Resrch/Eval-School Leadrs. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Research, evaluation, and assessment procedures related to administrative decision making and problem solving to increase the general effectiveness of educational institutions.
EDLS 614. Community and Media Relations. 3 Hours.
This course will explore community attitudes, cultures, and communication strategies. It will provide students with resources to understand, evaluate and improve internal and external school-community relations.
EDLS 620. Site Based Leadership. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. An overview course that focuses on the principal’s active role of applying theory to practice with a special emphasis on emerging trends and issues, goal setting, testing, curricular alignment with goals, facilities management, and the change process.
EDLS 625. Topics In Supervision. 3 Hours.
Special knowledge and skills for supervisors K-12 including media, computers, reading, multicultural education, testing, and special education. EDLS 654. College Student Affairs. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. A study of the organization, administrative functioning components, issues, and models of college student services using a historical and topical approach.
EDLS 691A-Z. Advanced Topics. 1-6 Hours.
Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses. EDLS 693A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
A study of contemporary topics selected from recent developments in the field. EDLS 695. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings. EDLS 697. Research. 1-15 Hours.
PR: Consent. Research activities leading to thesis, problem report, research paper or equivalent scholarly project, or a dissertation. (Grading may be S/ U.).
EDLS 702. Superintndncy:Role/Responsblty. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course is designed to examine the concepts of effective school district leadership. Students will examine the roles, relationship behaviors, and competencies which characterize an effective educational organization.
EDLS 703. Economics/Education Funding. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on the macro and micro economics concepts and their application to financing education and its infra- structure. The content will incorporate forces of economic change, development of new societal and educational infra- structures, and implications for social spending.
EDLS 704. Educ Facility:Planing/Evaluatn. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. The planning, evaluation, and management of current and future school facilities. EDLS 705. Public Educ:Ethics/Laws/Policy. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on ethics, educational responsibility, and the legal concepts relating to human resources management and student rights. The content is designed to develop an understanding of the judicial process and its effect on public school law and to understand the legal parameters within which the educational CEO operates.
EDLS 706. Lrng Orgnztn:Cultur/Tech/Chang. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on the concepts of results-based strategic planning, critical inquiry, and new assessment paradigms. The content will emphasize beginning where we are, authentic assessment of learning and horizontal assessment of processes, and broadening the base of responsibility for processes and results (outcomes). New knowledge about and use of information systems, integrating technology and high performance learning expectations, and the CEO’s role in the process will be addressed.
EDLS 707. Politics & Education. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in education administration or equivalent or consent. The purpose of this course is to raise the student’s awareness and comprehension of the role political processes play in shaping the fundamental governance and organizational structures of American education. A special emphasis will be placed on the role of the state and national government.
EDLS 708. Changing Organizations. 3 Hours.
PR: M.A. in educational leadership or equivalent or consent. Interdisciplinary study of the major concepts of educational administration theory and its application to educational settings. Topics include organizational change, understanding of organizational dynamics and relationships, motivation, empowerment, and responding to human resource needs.
EDLS 759. Assmt Research in Higher Ed. 3 Hours.
Students review an array of instruments designed to assess college students’ perceptions, satisfaction, and learning. They will also critique these instruments to determine their quality.
EDLS 761. Prospectus Devlpmnt Higher Ed. 3 Hours.
Students review an array of instruments designed to assess college students’ perceptions, satisfaction, and learning. They will also critique these instruments to determine their quality.
EDLS 785. Education Administrtn Intrnshp. 1-6 Hours.
(May be repeated for credit.) PR: Consent. Practical experiences in the administration of an organizational unit under the supervision of an administrator within the unit. (Grading is P/F).
EDLS 790. Teaching Practicum. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Supervised practice in college teaching of education leader- ship studies. Note: This course is intended to insure that graduate assistants are adequately prepared and supervised when they are given college teaching responsibility. It will also present a mechanism for students not on assistantships to gain teaching experience. (Grading will be S/U.).
EDLS 791A-Z. Advanced Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses. EDLS 792A-Z. Directed Study. 1-6 Hours.
Directed study, reading, and/or research. EDLS 793A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
A study of contemporary topics selected from recent developments in the field. EDLS 794A-Z. Seminar. 1-6 Hours.
Special seminars arranged for advanced graduate students. EDLS 795. Independent Study. 1-9 Hours.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings. EDLS 796. Graduate Seminar. 1 Hour.
PR: Consent. Each graduate student will present at least one seminar to the assembled faculty and graduate student body of his or her program. EDLS 797. Research. 1-15 Hours.
PR: Consent. Research activities leading to thesis, problem report, research paper or equivalent scholarly project, or a dissertation. (Grading may be S/ U.).
EDLS 798. Dissertation. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. This is an optional course for programs that wish to provide formal supervision during the writing of student reports (698), or dissertations (798). Grading is normal.
EDLS 799. Graduate Colloquium. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. For graduate students not seeking coursework credit but who wish to meet residency requirements, use the University’s facilities, and participate in its academic and cultural programs. Note: Graduate students who are not actively involved in coursework or research are entitled, through enrollment in their department’s 699/799 Graduate Colloquium to consult with graduate faculty, participate in both formal and informal academic activities sponsored by their program, and retain all of the rights and privileges of duly enrolled students. Grading is S/U; colloquium credit may not be counted against credit requirements for masters programs. Registration for one credit of 699/799 graduate colloquium satisfies the University requirement of registration in which graduation occurs.
EDLS 930. Professional Development. 1-6 Hours.
Professional development courses provide skill renewal or enhancement in a professional field or content area (e.g., education, community health, geology.) These tuition-waived, continuing education courses are graded on a pass/fail grading scale and do not apply as graduate credit toward a degree program.
