Higher Education

Program Director: Susan Marine, Ph.D.

The Mission of the Merrimack College Higher Education program is to prepare practitioners and leaders in higher education to:

• understand the history, functions, and aims of higher education;
• promote student learning and growth, in multiple learning environments;
• develop, implement, and evaluate policies and practices that further the unique missions of diverse institutions of higher learning, and
• lead with integrity, creativity, and a commitment to advance social justice, in keeping with the democratic aims of American higher education.

The Master’s in Higher Education (M.Ed.) prepares students to be student affairs practitioners and administrative leaders in a variety of roles within higher education. The curriculum focuses on the learning and development of college students; college access, equity and diversity; and leadership and organizational development. Students will gain a broad understanding of current trends, policies, leadership challenges, and opportunities to advance social justice in higher education. 

There are two pathways to completion for the Higher Education program:

• Full-time through the Higher Education Fellowship program, which offers a full-tuition fellowship.
• Full-time or part-time as a traditional student, working closely with an academic advisor to plan your program of study and timeline to completion. Traditional students have the opportunity to participate in a field-experience assistantship.

The Master’s in Higher Education is a 36-credit program.

Admission Requirements

• Merrimack College application
• Official copy of all college transcripts, including any graduate courses completed at another institution.
• Current resume
• Two letters of recommendation that speak to your capacity for leadership, professionalism, and ability to succeed in the graduate program. Letters should be from a 1) college professor and 2) college administrator who can speak to your interest and potential for success in a graduate program. If you do not feel you can provide a reference from a professor and/or a college administrator, please contact the program director to discuss alternatives. Letters should be on letterhead, signed by the recommender, and in PDF format.
• Contact the Admissions Office to learn more about which essays you could complete, which are specific to the format you choose (Fellowship or Traditional)
• Phone interview with the program director (required for all International and some domestic students).