Higher Education Administration
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The graduate certificate program in Higher Education Administration targets full-time college administrators who may not have studied higher education through any formal degree program but wish to develop a deeper understanding of the environment in which they work. Doctoral students engaged in other disciplines who plan to enter the academy as tenure-track faculty members may also benefit from this experience.
Enrollment for the certificate program may be limited based on class size. Certificates will be awarded upon the student’s application for the certificate once they have successfully completed the course requirements.
WHAT YOU'LL STUDY
The certificate requires successful completion of a total of 12 credit hours, this includes:
- 6 credits are required courses
- 6 credits are electives
To receive the certificate, students must earn a grade of B or better in each course. If a student earns below a B, the course must be retaken to receive credit. All courses are 3 credit hours and are typically offered once per year, depending on faculty availability.
Required Courses (6 Credits)
All students must complete;
- EDHE 6064 - Higher Education in the United States
- EDHE 6274 - Higher Education Law
Elective Courses (Choose 6 Credits)
In addition, students must complete at least 6 credit hours from the following:
- EDHE 5105 – Assessment in Higher Education
- EDHE 5304 – Introduction to the Student Affairs Profession
- EDHE 5314 – Theories of College Student Development
- EDHE 5334 – The College Student and the College Environment
- EDHE 5354 – Crisis Management in Higher Education
- EDHE 5404 – Staffing Practices in Education
- EDHE 5604 – Social Justice Education
- EDHE 6044 – Governance and Policy in Education
- EDHE 6054 – College and University Administration
- EDHE 6084 – Financial Administration in Higher Education
- EDHE 6094 – University Leadership
- EDHE 6304 – Theories of Educational Organizations
(Note: The list of elective courses provided is not exhaustive. Students may propose alternative courses for consideration, subject to approval by the faculty director.)
Planning Your Studies
Once you are admitted to the certificate program, you must contact Dr. Tonisha B. Lane, Faculty Director, to schedule a meeting. This is your chance to talk through your goals and build a personalized plan of study before registering for courses.
Already a current graduate student? You’ll also want to meet with Dr. Lane to make sure your course selections align with the certificate requirements.
We’re here to help you stay on track and make the most of your experience!
Course Descriptions
Theories of college student development. Foundational, integrative, and social identity theories, fundamental criticisms of well-known student development theories, identification of current student populations affected, and applying theories to student affairs practice and personal development. Pre: Graduate standing.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Study of the characteristics and attitudes of traditional and nontraditional college students; effect of the college environment on students.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Diversity of institutions of higher learning is examined through variations in the respective goals and purposes of distinct types of institutions and examined through variations in the constituencies served by different types of institutions and their differential impact on students and faculty.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Financing higher education. Emphasis on examination of the revenue source and patterns of funding and the roles of federal, state, and local governments in the fiscal support of higher education. Methods for the determination of institutional resource allocation, program and financial planning, and the internal allocation and effective use of resources.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
College and university leadership and administration. Focus on executive leadership, governance, development, research, outreach and engagement. Pre: Graduate standing.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Survey of American justice system and legal bases of higher education administrative practice. Introduction to legal research and application of case law to contemporary legal issues in higher education.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Study of educational organization theory and behavior. Emphasis will be given to understanding institutional structures and cultures in their educational, social, economic, and political contexts with a view toward organization improvement, development, and reform.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
THE COHORT MODEL
This program operates on a cohort model. Members of a given cohort attend all of the same classes in the same sequence and pursue common plans of study.
The benefits of a cohort model are many. It is designed to facilitate social interaction, collaboration, and the formation of a supportive learning community.
Students in cohorts learn from and help each other with the successful completion of coursework and professional networking. They report a strong sense of community and are more likely to complete their programs of study in a timely manner.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY
AFFILIATED FACULTY
Emerita and Emeritus Faculty Members
Don G. Creamer, Professor Emeritus, Higher Education
Joan B. Hirt, Professor Emerita, Higher Education, School of Education
Patricia Hyer, Affiliated Faculty; Associate Provost Emerita, University Provost’s Office
Steven M. Janosik, Associate Professor Emeritus, Higher Education, School of Education
Edward F. D. Spencer, Affiliated Associate Professor; Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs