Master of Art (M.A.) in Higher Education/Student Personnel
Help sculpt the college student experience and foster student success with a career in higher education administration and leadership.
About this Program
The Master of Arts in Higher Education/Student Personnel is a blended program that examines 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.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Master's Program
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
2 years
Degree
M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel
Emphases
Intercollegiate Athletics Administration
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
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:
- Fall priority application deadline: January 1
- Fall final application deadline: May 1
Residential M.A. in Higher Education
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
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
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?