Higher Education/Student Personnel, M.A.
Learn how to foster the success of college students and institutions of higher learning through a career in higher education leadership.
About the Master of Art in Higher Education/Student Personnel
The Master of Arts in Higher Education/Student Personnel examines the functions of higher education administration and student affairs, including financial aid, residence life, campus recreation, Greek Life, student programming, student government, institutional fundraising, admissions, career services, and educational law and policy.
The program fosters a strong theoretical understanding of systems, laws, and leadership that support student retention, equity, engagement, and success. This program also provides professional preparation through practicum and graduate assistantship opportunities for those seeking full-time enrollment.
What's the differences between the online and residential M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel?
The University of Mississippi offers the M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel either fully online or residential. Students get to choose which is best for their busy schedules and day-to-day responsibilities.
Online M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel
The online Master of the Arts in Higher Education requires 30 credit hours. The online program is designed to be completed part-time by individuals who already hold full-time employment positions.
- Online M.A. in Higher Education Degree Plan
- Online M.A. in Higher Education (IAA Emphasis) Degree Plan
- Online M.A. in Higher Education Student Handbook
Residential M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel
The Residential M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel requires 36 credit hours. The residential program is primarily intended to serve full-time students.
- Residential M.A. in Higher Education Degree Plan
- Residential M.A. in Higher Education (IAA Emphasis) Degree Plan
- Residential M.A. in Higher Education Student Handbook
Going to Law School and interested in Higher Education?
This concurrent program provides a competitive advantage for students seeking a law degree with specific interest in Higher Education issues. This program reduces time and cost associated with receiving both degrees. This program can be completed in just four years.
More information available below.
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Program Information
Degree
M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel
Emphases
Intercollegiate Athletics Administration
Program Type
Master's Program
School
Duration
2 years
Online M.A. in Higher Education
The Online M.A. in Higher Education requires the following courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
To complete the Online Master of Arts in Higher Education, students must complete:
- 30 hours of Program of Study courses
Program of Study Courses (30)
- EDFD 609 Cultural Context of Education
- EDRS 605 Educational Research I
- EDHE 602 Program Planning & Assessment
- EDHE 655 Power, Persuasion, & Politics
- EDHE 658 Organization & Governance
- EDHE 660 History of Higher Education
- EDHE 664 Law in Higher Education
- EDHE 665 Contemporary Issues of Higher Education
- EDHE 669 Resource Management in Higher Education
- EDHE 671 The College & the Student
The Online M.A. in Higher Education (IAA Emphasis) requires the following courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
To complete the Online Master of Arts in Higher Education, students must complete:
- 30 hours of Program of Study courses
Program of Study Courses (30)
- EDFD 609 Cultural Context of Education
- EDRS 605 Educational Research I
- EDHE 658 Organization & Governance
- EDHE 660 History of Higher Education
- EDHE 664 Law in Higher Education
- EDHE 671 The College & the Student
- SAS 600 NCAA Governance
- SAS 601 Internal Ops in Intercollegiate Athletics
- SAS 602 External Ops in Intercollegiate Athletics
- SAS 603 Leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from an international institution with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
- A 2.7 grade point average, or 3.0 on the last 60 hours, may allow one to enter on a probationary basis.
- Complete a Graduate School application online
- Upload the following supplemental materials to the Graduate School application:
- Statement of purpose: Please discuss how your life experiences (personal, academic, and/or professional) have fostered your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education, the strengths that will help you succeed in the program, and how earning the degree might help you achieve your goals as a higher education professional.
- Resume
- Contact information for three references
To properly complete the application process for online admission, students can submit applications at any time for fall or spring.
Online M.A. in Higher Education Coordinator
If you have any questions about the Online Master of Arts in Higher Education, don't hesitate to reach out!
George Stewart McClellan
Professor of Higher Education
Residential M.A. in Higher Education
The Residential M.A. in Higher Education requires the following courses for a total of 33 credit hours.
To complete the Online Master of Arts in Higher Education, students must complete:
- 33 hours of Program of Study courses
Program of Study Courses (33)
- EDFD 609: Cultural Context of Education
- EDRS 605: Educational Research I
- EDHE 656: Student Services in Higher Education
- EDHE 659: Finance of Higher Education
- EDHE 660: History of Higher Education
- EDHE 664: Law in Higher Education
- EDHE 665: Contemporary Issues of Higher Education
- EDHE 667: Practicum in Student Personnel Services
- EDHE 668: Practicum in Student Personnel Services*
- EDHE 671: The College and the Student
- *Additional Elective
The Residential M.A. in Higher Education (IAA Emphasis) requires the following courses for a total of 39 credit hours.
To complete the Online Master of Arts in Higher Education, students must complete:
- 39 hours of Program of Study courses
Program of Study Courses (39)
- EDFD 609 Cultural Context of Education
- EDRS 605 Educational Research I
- EDHE 656 Student Services in Higher Education
- EDHE 659 Finance of Higher Education
- EDHE 660 History of Higher Education
- EDHE 664 Law in Higher Education
- EDHE 665 Contemporary Issues of Higher Education
- EDHE 667 Practicum in Student Personnel Services
- EDHE 668 Practicum in Student Personnel Services*
- EDHE 671 The College and the Student
- SAS 600 NCAA Governance
- SAS 601 Internal Ops in Intercollegiate Athletics
- SAS 602 External Ops in Intercollegiate Athletics
- SAS 603 Leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from an international institution with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
- A 2.7 grade point average, or 3.0 on the last 60 hours, may allow one to enter on a probationary basis.
- Complete a Graduate School application online
- Upload the following supplemental materials to the Graduate School application:
- Statement of purpose: Please discuss how your life experiences (personal, academic, and/or professional) have fostered your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education, the strengths that will help you succeed in the program, and how earning the degree might help you achieve your goals as a higher education professional.
- Resume
- Contact information for three references
To properly complete the application process for fall admission, students must submit all application materials before the following deadline:
- Priority admissions deadline: December 1
- Final admissions deadline: August 1
Residential M.A. in Higher Education Coordinator
If you have any questions about the Residential Master of Arts in Higher Education, don't hesitate to reach out!
Kerry B Melear
Professor of Higher Education
Concurrent J.D. / M.A. in Higher Education
The Juris Doctor requires the following courses
Program of Study Courses (33)
- Law 500 Professional Identity (1 credit)
- Law 503 Civil Procedure (4 credits)
- Law 507 Constitutional Law (4 credits)
- Law 501 Contracts (4 credits)
- Law 568 Criminal Law (3 credits)
- Law 514 & 515 Legal Research and Writing I & II (3 credits fall and spring semester (6 total))
- Law 504 Property (4 credits)
- Law 502 Torts (4 credits)
- Law 590 Contract Drafting and Negotiation (3 credits)
- Law 603 Legal Profession (3 credits)
- Law 600 Evidence (3 credits)
- Law 592, Bar Exam Prep I (3 credits)
- Law 593, Bar Exam Prep II (3 credits)
- 3 credits, Upper-level skills course
- 3 credits, Upper-level writing course
- 3 credits, Upper-level drafting course
The Residential M.A. in Higher Education requires the following courses
Program of Study Courses (33)
- EDHE 602/670, Program Planning & Assessment or Special Topics (online)
- EDRS 605, Educational Research I (online)
- EDHE 656, Student Services (in-person)
- EDFD 609, Cultural Context (in-person)
- EDHE 658, Org. & Gov. (online)
- EDHE 669, Human Resources (online)
- EDHE 664, Law in Higher Education (in-person)
- EDHE 659, Finance in Higher Education (in-person)
- EDHE 671, College & the Student (online)
- EDHE 660, History of Higher Education (online)
- Capstone Project
Total = 30 hours (All courses in the Higher Education program are 3 credit hours).
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
Year 1 | Required 1L courses | Required Winter session course Required 1L courses | EDHE 602 (online) EDHE 605 (online) |
Year 2 | 12 credits in Law + EDHE 656 (in-person) | 12 credits in Law + EDFD 609 | EDHE 658 (online) EDHE 669 (online) |
Year 3 | 12 credits in Law + EDHE 664 | 12 credits in Law + EDHE 659 | No classes Prepare for Bar Exam |
Year 4 | EDHE 671 (online) | EDHE 660 (online) + capstone |
|
- Students are required to take regular first year law classes but will begin taking online higher education courses the summer preceding 2L year.
- Complete a Graduate School application and be admitted to the Graduate School
To properly complete the application process for fall admission, students must submit all application materials before the following deadline:
- Priority admissions deadline: March 1
Concurrent J.D. / M.A. in Higher Education Coordinator
If you have any questions about the concurrent J.D. / M.A. in Higher Education, don't hesitate to reach out!
Macey Lynd Edmondson
Assistant Professor of Higher Education
What can an M.A. in Higher Education do for you?
Median salary for Postsecondary Education Administrators working in colleges, universities, and professional schools in 2022.
Median salary for Postsecondary Education Administrators working in junior/community colleges.
Next Steps
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