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.
- Personal statement that addresses:
- Your interests and motivations for applying to the higher education program, including experiences in college that have been most influential in shaping your interest in this field. (500 words)
- Consistent with the college’s values, Merrimack’s program includes a focus on advancing social justice in higher education. What areas of social justice are most important to you, and what aspects of social justice do you hope to learn more about? (500 words)
- Phone interview with the program director (optional).
Program Requirements
Core Courses (16 credits)
The core of our program emphasizes social justice and the multifaceted and critical role that postsecondary institutions play in a democratic, pluralistic, and complex society.
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ED630G
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Higher Education in American Society
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4
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ED640G
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Diversity and Social Justice
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4
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ED610G
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Research Methods
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4
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GRAD590
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Capstone
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4
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All students will complete a capstone experience - an original research project designed in partnership with a relevant campus office or service. Your capstone can be practice- or policy-focused. Each student will choose an area of interest related to their career goals, and focused on creating change in Higher Education. The capstone course is the culminating experience of the master’s program.
Areas of Concentration and Electives (12 credits)
Student Affairs (choose from the following):
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ED620G
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College Student Retention and Success
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4
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ED676G
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College Teaching and Learning
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4
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ED680G
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Introduction to Community Colleges
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4
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ED683G
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Gender in Education
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4
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HED505G
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College Student Development Theory
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4
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HED516G
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Financial Management in Higher Education
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4
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HED555G
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College Counseling and Advising
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4
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HED565G
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First Generation College Student
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4
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HED585G
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Higher Education Policy and Practice in Ireland
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4
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Leadership and Organizational Development (choose from the following):
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ED635G
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Theories of Organizational Change
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4
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ED667G
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University-Community Relations
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4
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HED516G
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Financial Management in Higher Education
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4
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HED540G
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Higher Education Law and Policy
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4
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HED546G
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Leadership Theory and Practice in Higher Education
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4
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HED575G
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Organizational Theory and Change in Higher Education
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4
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Fellowship and/or Electives (8 credits)
Students in the Fellowship program work 25 hours a week (average) in their assigned fellowship setting. Fellows also meet regularly in a seminar with an experienced practitioner to reflect upon the experience and document skill and competency development. Fellows will receive 4 credits for their Fellowship and seminar (2 credits each semester), and will select one additional elective to complete their program. Students who are not participating in the Fellowship program will select two (2) additional electives to complete their program.
Traditional students (part-time or full-time) who do not currently work in a higher education setting are required to participate in an Assistantship for 10-12 hours per week and accompanying seminar and will receive 2 credits per semester for this work. The Assistantship provides students with hands-on experience that directly relates to their academics and may serve as the platform for the capstone.
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HED560G
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Higher Education Fellowship/Internship Experience
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2 or 4
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