UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2023-2024

Program: M.A., Higher Education Leadership

Program Description

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies offers programs leading to degrees and/or credentials in the field of Educational Administration. Students may pursue programs leading to an M.A. degree in Educational Administration or Higher Education Leadership, as well as studies directed at achieving the Preliminary and Clear Administrative Services Credentials.

Students choosing the master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership start their program with ELPS 600HE: Research Design in Higher Education and ELPS 601HE: American Higher Education. In the second semester of the program, the courses include ELPS 688HE: Fieldwork in Higher Education, ELPS 656HE: Diversity and Student Success in Higher Education, and ELPS 650HE: Contemporary Administrative Leadership. Fall of year two includes ELPS 690HE: Research Analysis in Higher Education, ELPS 673HE: Leadership for Managing Reform in Higher Education, and ELPS 667HE: Organization and Administration of Community College Education. To complete the program in year two, students take three courses in their final Spring semester—ELPS 663HE: Policy and Law in Higher Education, ELPS 674HE: Higher Education Operations: Financial and Human Resources in Higher Education, and ELPS 697HE: Directed Comprehensive Studies.

Program Requirements

A. Requirements for Admission to the Program

  1. Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or a practicing college or university administrator indicating potential for administrative leadership.
  2. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (based on a semester system) or possession of a previous master’s degree.

B. Special Requirements

  1. Must be classified by completing the above-referenced requirements for admission. Classification must be accomplished prior to completing 12 units of credit.
  2. Students must complete Directed Comprehensive Studies to earn the master’s degree.

C. Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education Leadership

1. Required Courses (30 units)

ELPS 600HE Research Design in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 601HE American Higher Education (3)
ELPS 650HE Contemporary Administrative Leadership in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 656HE Diversity and Student Success in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 663HE Policy and Law in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 667HE Organization and Administration of Community College Education (3)
ELPS 673HE Leadership for Managing Reform in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 674HE Higher Education Operations: Financial and Human Resources in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 688HE Fieldwork in Higher Education (3)
ELPS 690HE Research Analysis in Higher Education (3)

2. Culminating Experience (3 units)

ELPS 697HE Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)

Total Units Required for the M.A. Degree: 33

More information

For more information about this program, please contact dimpal.jain@csun.edu.

Contact

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Chair/Graduate Coordinator: Miguel Ceja
Education (ED) 1220
(818) 677-2591

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership will be able to:

  1. Facilitate the development, articulation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the higher education community.
  2. Advocate, nurture and sustain a campus environment conducive to student learning and professional growth.
  3. Ensure management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective campus environment.
  4. Engage with community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources.
  5. Model a personal code of ethics and develop professional leadership capacity.
  6. Understand, respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.