Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Leadership Studies online
Gain the practical, applied knowledge you need to transition into roles of increasing responsibility within the field of higher education.
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Program Overview
Gain insights into our MA in Higher Education Administration Leadership online program.
$15,982.50
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Duration
30*
Credit Hours
Develop leadership vision and management skills with the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Leadership Studies. This program takes a generalist approach that prepares you to work anywhere in higher education.
This online program is designed to give you an in-depth study of the history, structure, organization, and administration of colleges and universities globally. Learn about the contemporary higher education system, including student development, finance, policies, and legal issues, as well as how to lead from within it through real-world experience and courses taught by practitioners.
You will also develop a professional e-portfolio aligned with the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators developed by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).
As a graduate of this program, you will be able to:
- Analyze how American higher education systems work for all stakeholders including students, faculty and staff, boards of trustees and alumni, and the broader social, economic, and political context
- Evaluate theory and practice of the past and current issues, movements, and trends in higher education that impact the student's college/university academic, social, and holistic growth experience and other mission objectives
- Apply foundational knowledge in the areas of leadership, history, law, policy, theory, and finance for higher education organizational improvement
- Apply objective, fact-based, critical thinking and analytical methods as well judicious reflection and insight to evaluate office/program effectiveness to address the needs of stakeholders with particular attention to the increasingly diverse and under-represented students
- Develop professional traits, such as appropriate communication skills, reflective thinking, modeling, mentoring, and facilitating effective strategies of leadership, conflict resolution techniques
- Apply educational research methods to determine the effectiveness of programs and or offices that support the mission of the institution
- Recognize and work to illuminate the barriers that systemically prevent marginalized and vulnerable student populations from fully realizing higher education opportunities with an understanding of how access to higher education is used to create a more equitable society
- Apply leadership skills to create transformative environments that encourage students and all members of the HE community to view themselves as having potential to make meaningful contributions to their institutions and be civically engaged in their communities
- Analyze how American higher education systems work for all stakeholders including students, faculty and staff, boards of trustees and alumni, and the broader social, economic, and political context
- Evaluate theory and practice of the past and current issues, movements, and trends in higher education that impact the student's college/university academic, social, and holistic growth experience and other mission objectives
- Apply foundational knowledge in the areas of leadership, history, law, policy, theory, and finance for higher education organizational improvement
- Apply objective, fact-based, critical thinking and analytical methods as well judicious reflection and insight to evaluate office/program effectiveness to address the needs of stakeholders with particular attention to the increasingly diverse and under-represented students
- Develop professional traits, such as appropriate communication skills, reflective thinking, modeling, mentoring, and facilitating effective strategies of leadership, conflict resolution techniques
- Apply educational research methods to determine the effectiveness of programs and or offices that support the mission of the institution
- Recognize and work to illuminate the barriers that systemically prevent marginalized and vulnerable student populations from fully realizing higher education opportunities with an understanding of how access to higher education is used to create a more equitable society
- Apply leadership skills to create transformative environments that encourage students and all members of the HE community to view themselves as having potential to make meaningful contributions to their institutions and be civically engaged in their communities
$15,982.50
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Duration
30
Credit Hours
The College of Education at William Paterson University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
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Tuition
Find out how WP’s tuition is more affordable than ever.
Online education programs from William Paterson University offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA in Higher Education Administration Leadership | $532.75 | $1,598.25 | $15,982.50 |
Tuition breakdown:
$15,982.50
Total Tuition
$532.75
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Jot down these important start dates and deadlines.
William Paterson University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer I | 5/19/25 | 4/27/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/14/25 | 7/6/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer II | 7/14/25 | 6/22/25 | 6/24/25 | 7/3/25 | 7/9/25 | 8/31/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall I | 9/8/25 | 8/17/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/29/25 | 9/3/25 | 10/26/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall II | 11/3/25 | 10/12/25 | 10/15/25 | 10/24/25 | 10/29/25 | 12/21/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
6/22/25
Apply Date
7/14/25
Class Starts
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Admissions
Review the requirements for your online MA degree at WP.
At William Paterson University, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the MA in Higher Education Administration online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
The requirements include:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
- Professional resume detailing educational and work experience
- GPA of 3.0 or higher*
- No GRE required for admission
You must meet the following requirements for admission to this MA in Higher Education Administration online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Professional resume detailing educational and work experience
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- *Students with GPA under 3.0 will be considered with evidence of higher education leadership potential
- Contact information for two references
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment ServicesWilliam Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
Courses
Read more about the MA in Higher Education Administration Leadership online classes.
For the MA in Higher Education Administration online program, you must complete 10 courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
For the MA in Higher Education Administration online program, you must complete 10 courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
ELHE 6001: Higher Education From Past to Present
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the evolution of American higher education from an elite, closed system to the current open, mass higher education system. The course covers significant transformative eras, including expansion to the “multiuniversity,” the development of the curriculum, to online colleges and universities.
ELHE 6002: Theories College Student Development
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to expose students to relevant models and theories of student and human development used in contemporary student affairs divisions in higher education. Students will examine theoretical approaches to student learning growth, development and behavior during the college years. The course delves into the interdisciplinary nature of these theories and how these theories affect policy and practice in student affairs divisions.
ELHE 6004: Law and Policy in Higher Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the balance of interests between higher education institutions, students, and the laws that govern each, and how policy and decision-making at the institutional level is influenced by the law. The impact of the law and the factors influencing the law will be studies using case law.
ELHE 6007: Finance in Higher Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores how institutions of higher education are financed, and how resources and revenues are allocated within the institution. The financing of two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities and for-profit institutions are studied in the context of local, state and federal budgeting processes.
ELHE 6008: Higher Education as a Profession
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the combined roles of faculty, administrators, program directors, counselors, student support staff, human resource personnel, assessment coordinators, program reviewers, trustees, and other professionals in support of collegiate teaching and learning. The traditional and non-traditional nature of higher education institutions will be viewed in the contest of the professional career and development of individuals engaged in post-secondary professions.
ELHE 6030: Education Research in Higher Education Administration
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares candidates to develop, implement, and write an original action research project proposal within their field of specialization in the MA in Higher Education Administration program. Students are required to select a research topic in higher education administration, review the existing literature related to that topic, and formulate specific researchable questions within that topic. As a final paper, students draft the first three chapters of a research project, including a feasible plan for conducting a study of the questions to be carried out in their capstone research experience in ELHE 6062.
ELHE 6050: Assessment & Accountability in Higher Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on theories and principles of assessment and other accountability measures used in planning, implementing, and sustaining institutional effectiveness. The course explores current and best practice, strategies, methodologies, tools and evaluation designs used in institutions of higher education.
ELHE 6060: Leadership Studies
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the theories and definitions of the practice of management and decision-making in higher education organizations. Using case studies, guest lectures and role plays, students learn theories of leadership and the role of authority, power, influence, integrity, governance, power-sharing, leadership structures, and methods in the challenges of attaining desired goals and outcomes.
ELHE 6062: Capstone Experience Seminar
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed as a culminating experience for the program. Students complete a research project focusing on an applied problem in the student’s area of concentration. Using the proposal developed in ELHE 6030 for an original educational research project, students in this course will collect and analyze data and present their findings. Students will also complete an electronic portfolio using assignments done throughout the program. This portfolio will be used by students to demonstrate their professional competencies in meeting nationally accepted standards.
ELHE 6063: Special Topics in Higher Education Administration
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course critically analyzes evidence informed practices and issues that guide and influence excellence in administrative practices in institutions of higher education. Selected topics will be drawn from emergent issues which will include immigration law; diversity; student cultures; service learning initiatives; adult and continuing education; technology and media; accountability; accrediting agencies and assessment; international and global education; the cost of education, and for profit and on-line education. This course is designed to concentrate on a unique perspective or occurrence in higher education that requires a more specialized or in-depth analysis.
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