Online Master’s Degree in Higher Education

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
9
Total Courses
$420
Cost per Credit
1 year
Average Completion*
15 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Master’s in Higher Education Overview

Earn your master’s degree and move your higher education career forward. Prepare for leadership opportunities in administration, teaching, student services, and other rewarding areas of postsecondary education.

  • Develop the practical knowledge, critical thinking, research, and writing skills that leaders at colleges and universities need.
  • Learn from instructors who are professionals in the higher education field and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom.
  • Focus on multicultural and diversity issues that impact student development in higher education.
  • Examine how technology, public policy, and financing issues affect a student’s ability to attend college.
  • Explore the historical development of colleges and universities and the organizational principles that guide them.

Concentrations

  • College administration and leadership: Become an effective leader who can manage academic programs and departments in a variety of postsecondary settings.
  • Student affairs: Learn to administer comprehensive student services for both on-ground and online institutions.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Academic Alliances to Expand Your Teaching Opportunities

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to announce a partnership with Promise Opens Doors, an organization that offers an online certificate program for educators interested in working abroad and helping others learn English.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Professional Development and Networking

When you join Purdue Global, you join a community of support. Take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, which offers information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

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Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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What Courses Will I Take?

This online master’s in higher education degree program focuses on the practical knowledge, critical thinking, and research skills related to today's colleges and universities.

Concentrations

Choose one of the concentrations within the master’s in higher education degree to align the curriculum with your career goals.

  • College administration and leadership
  • Student affairs

Sample Courses

  • Foundations of Higher Education
  • Higher Education Laws and Regulations
  • Multiculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education
  • Higher Education Finance
See All Higher Education Courses

Program Requirements

6
Core Courses
3
Concentration Courses
9
Total Courses
45
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Admissions Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and, 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for postsecondary teachers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2023 and 2033. Opportunities for administrators and student services personnel are also expected to increase during the same period. The Master of Science in Higher Education is designed to prepare you to pursue leadership positions in colleges, community colleges, universities, and technical and vocational centers.

Average Salary

Range

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Take a Career Assessment

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Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Master of Science in Higher Education and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

Job Growth—Teachers, Postsecondary and PS Education Admins: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm and Postsecondary Education Administrators, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.