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May 31, 2024
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog
Higher Education, M.Ed.
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 Return to: Schools and Academic Programs
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 36
Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate: 3.0
School: Winston School of Education and Social Policy
Learn more about the program
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
- Lead with integrity, creativity, and a commitment to advance social justice, in keeping with the democratic aims of American higher education.
The M.Ed. in Higher Education 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.
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Program Requirements
The center of our program emphasizes social justice and the multifaceted and critical role that postsecondary institutions play in a democratic, pluralistic, and complex society.
All students complete 16 credits of required core courses (which the capstone is part of) and 20 credits of electives. Depending on a student’s path, those electives may include 12 credits of concentration electives and either eight credits of a Fellowship experience or four credits of an Assistantship experience. Additional information about concentrations, the Fellowship experience, and the Assistantship experience is provided below.
Required Core Courses
Complete the following four required core courses (16 credits):
Concentrations
Students can, but are not required to, choose an area of interest related to their career goals, focused on creating change in Higher Education. Students can choose between a concentration in Student Affairs or in Leadership, Policy, and Organizational Development. Each concentration requires the completion of 12 credits. Students are encouraged to discuss these options with their advisor.
Students who choose not to pursue a concentration complete a combination of 12 credits of Higher Education (HED) electives.
Student Affairs
Choose 12 credits from the following:
Leadership, Policy, and Organizational Development
Choose 12 credits from the following:
Additional Requirements for Fellowship Students
Students in the Fellowship program work 25 hours a week (average) in their assigned fellowship setting. Fellows also meet regularly in a seminar course (HED 6515 Higher Education Fellowship Experience ) with an experienced practitioner to reflect upon the experience and document skill and competency development. Fellows will receive eight credits for this (four credits each semester) to complete their program.
Additional Requirements for Traditional Students
Traditional students (part-time or full-time) who are not participating in the Fellowship program will select an additional eight credits of electives to complete their program.
Students who do not currently work in a higher education setting are strongly encouraged to participate in an Assistantship for 10-12 hours per week with an accompanying seminar course (HED 6510 Higher Education Fellowship Internship Experience ). They will receive two credits per semester for this work, which count toward the eight credits of additional electives. The Assistantship provides students with hands-on experience that directly relates to their academics and may serve as the platform for the capstone.
Electives may be taken from any of the non-required Higher Education (HED) courses offered.
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Return to: Schools and Academic Programs
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