Master's in Higher Education Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of a Master of Science (MS) degree in Higher Education?
Drexel University has specifically designed the Master of Science degree in Higher Education to parallel the rigorous and experiential components typically associated with MBA degree programs. The Master of Science in Higher Education degree provides students with an excellent foundation in higher education, leadership, and ethics. Courses are very interactive and assignments challenge students to use new problem-solving and decision-making skills within and outside of academia. The curriculum is innovative, relevant, and responsive to today’s dynamic higher education environments. Students select from one or more concentrations that have been designed to assist with job placement and accelerated career advancement. The online format offers students the flexibility to meet their personal and professional needs.
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Who should apply to the Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE) degree program?
The MSHE degree program is designed for:
- Individuals currently working in higher education who want to advance and accelerate their careers;
- Recent graduates from undergraduate programs who want to pursue careers in higher education and higher education related professions;
- Individuals who are interested in transitioning from their current area of employment to higher education (i.e., corporate sector, military, healthcare, research, etc.); and
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What types of careers are available in higher education?
Higher education goes beyond the traditional “bricks and mortar” of a college campus; therefore, the MSHE degree provides students with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers within and outside of academia:
- Four-year colleges and universities
- Two-year colleges and universities
Note: This includes higher education institutions that are non-profit/for-profit, public/private, on-campus/online, and national/international.
- National Associations (e.g., Council for Higher Education Accreditation-CHEA; Association for Institutional Research-AIR; National Association of College and University Business Officers-NACUBO; Council for Advancement and Support of Education-CASE; Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers-APPA; National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators-NASFAA; National Council for Higher Education-NCHE; American Council on Education-ACE; etc.)
- International Organizations (e.g., World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank-IADB; United States Agency for International Development-USAID; United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization-UNESCO; International Association of Universities-Affiliate of UNESCO; Institute of International Education-IIE; Council for International Educational Exchange-CIEE; Association of International Education Administrators-AIEA; etc.)
- Non-profit and for-profit Organizations/Corporations (e.g., College Board, Blackboard, ACT, ETS, Peterson’s; Follet Corporation; Agresso Americas; SAS; E-Reference Desk; etc.)
- Government Agencies - Educational and training divisions/programs (e.g. U.S. Department of Education; Departments of Education across all 50 states; Office of Personnel Management-OPM; U.S. General Services Administration-GSA; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-HHS; National Center for Education Statistics-NCES; Federal TRIO Programs/Council for Opportunity in Education-COE; etc.)
- Military - Education, research and training divisions/programs (e.g. Department of Defense; Military-affiliated training institution/facilities; Army Installation Management Agency; U.S. Military Branches, etc.)
- Politics - Relating to higher education (e.g. political consultant, lobbyist, advisor, etc.)
- Executive Search Firms – Relating to higher education (e.g., Spellman & Johnson Group; Academics360.com; Academic Careers Online, etc.)
- Publications – Relating to higher education (e.g. Chronicle of Higher Education; Campus Technology; Education Resource Information Center-ERIC; Educational journals/magazines; Association journals/magazines; etc.)
Places of employment and job titles of Drexel MSHE graduates, applicants, and current students:
- Dean of Development at a Community College
- Assistant Director, Multicultural Student Affairs at a four-year State University
- Director of Enrollment Management, University System
- Assistant Director, Enrollment Services and Operations at private, four-year University
- Manager, Career Services at higher education alumni association
- Director of Student Records and Academic Evaluation at a College of Podiatric Medicine
- University Registrar
- Director of Retention, at a four-year private university
- Assistant Director of Operations, Career Development Center - 4-year private university
- Special Events Manager - non-profit organization
- Academic Advisor – School of Nursing
- Senior Survey Data Collector - non-profit higher education testing organization
- Program Manager for Eastern Studies Program – ivy league 4-year university
- Group Director - large North American financial services company
- Associate Director of Alumni Relations – private 4-year university
- Institutional Research Analyst – community college
- Assistant Vice President of Industry Relations – non-profit higher education-focused company
- Director of Undergraduate Admissions – Catholic, 4-year liberal arts college
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How will the MS degree in Higher Education assist in career placement and advancement?
The MS in Higher Education program prepares students with the practical skills, knowledge, and experience to become professionals and leaders in higher education institutions, national/international non-profit associations and organizations, government agencies, and corporations. The program provides a strong foundation for entry/mid-level career placement, executive and senior level advancement, and future doctoral studies. The MSHE program has established close relationships with national associations and organizations and strongly encourages students to become involved in these entities as “student members” (e.g., attending conference, presenting papers, and networking). Through these affiliations, as well as through the co-op experience, students will have unique opportunities to meet leaders within higher education and acquire new skills that will ultimately assist with career placement and advancement. In addition to the preparation students receive in the program, Drexel’s Steinbright Career Development Center provides many resources and services for current students and alumni. They are available to assist with anything from career exploration, resume-writing and interviewing skills, and co-op and job placement assistance. For more information, visit their website at http://www.drexel.edu/provost/scdc/default.asp.
Note: Drexel’s MSHE program maintains an online "career resource link" that allows students to search for available positions within and outside of academia nationally and internationally.
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Why should a prospective student select Drexel University to pursue a MS degree in Higher Education?
As one of the most innovative universities in the United States today, Drexel University offers degree programs that provide students with skills and experiential learning opportunities through relevant assignments/projects and co-operative education. This is critical since career placement and advancement is often contingent upon skills, knowledge, experience. and educational attainment. Moreover, Drexel is among the top 50 private, non-profit, national doctoral/research universities in the US, and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Colleges for 2007. U.S. News & World Report also ranked The Drexel School of Education among America’s Best Graduate School in the 2007 edition of its annual rankings. Drexel consists of 11 colleges and schools offering 161 degree programs to approximately 16,000 students. It has over 90,000 alumni and 1,000 full-time faculty members. Founded by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel in 1891, Drexel continues to be a leader in the integration of technology into academics.
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What type of tuition support is available for Drexel students?
Drexel University works with many tuition support programs. Information regarding federal and state aid, loans, scholarships and grants is available through our financial aid page. Additionally, as a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) college, Drexel welcomes adult students from the military who are making use of military aid or Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits to cover their education costs. Students may also receive tuition reimbursement support under DANTES for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Reserves, Air Force Reserves and the Air National Guard. View additional benefits for military education at Drexel.
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Why choose Drexel University's Higher Education program?
Rigorous Curriculum
The MSHE program has six core courses that provide a solid foundation in higher education – introducing students to key components within higher education including, governance, administration, leadership, ethics, legal issues, risk management, strategic planning, accreditation, outcomes assessments, customer service management, etc. Drexel offers a primary concentration in Higher Education Administration & Organizational Management and an optional secondary three-course concentration.
Quality Core Faculty
The MSHE program has a set of core faculty with extensive experience in higher education (e.g. administration, research, teaching, consulting, etc.). However, the MSHE program hires adjunct faculty (e.g. vice presidents, provosts, deans, executive directors, faculty, etc.) from select associations/organizations as well as other universities and from within Drexel University’s administration to teach specialized courses. Moreover, courses include guest speakers who have expertise in select areas within and outside of academia (e.g., college/university presidents, corporate CEOs, training directors, software developers, politicians, executive directors, etc.). It is essential that students have the opportunity to work with faculty and speakers who are currently involved in each of the courses through work or research.
Cooperative Education
The MSHE program requires that all students participate in a co-op and complete a portfolio. Students who are currently working within higher education and pursuing a concentration in their current area of work can use this opportunity to direct research and/or projects that will be reviewed and documented in a portfolio. If students are working within higher education but pursuing a concentration in a different area, then a co-op can be designed within another division within the institution. It is vital that students have the opportunity to apply skills acquired from the MSHE program in the appropriate work setting as well as garner new skills. Students who are not currently within a higher education working environment can select from pre-arranged co-ops within universities/colleges, national associations/organizations, government agencies, corporations, etc. Students can also create unique co-op opportunities through approval within and outside of academia that will build upon the MSHE program. Students are required to submit a portfolio based on their co-op experience that highlights this experiential opportunity as well as their work MSHE program. Portfolios include a resume, professional biography, sample projects/papers/presentations from the co-op and courses, and letter(s) of recommendation.
Flexibility
The MSHE program is offered completely online. Drexel’s online format has the same admissions standards, requirements, and faculty that lead to the same high quality degree.
Interactive Courses
The online courses are interactive and engage students through mixed instructional methods. Materials are posted online weekly; however, students are required to work on individual and group projects, interact with the faculty, listen to guest speakers, and participate in some live “chat” forums. It is important that online students are actively involved in the courses and are part of a student/classroom “community”.
Higher Education Career Resource Link
