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Higher Education: Master of Arts (MA)

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Application Deadlines

Fall Admission
April 1, priority deadline is Feb. 1
(CCUL concentration only; applications for the ADE and College Teaching concentrations are not being accepted at this time.)

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Exams & Waivers

Entrance exam: GRE or MAT
Exam waiver available: Yes

Learn more about exam waiver eligibility

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Location

On campus and online

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Completion Time

2 years (full time)

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Costs and Aid

Excel as a higher education leader.

Earning your Master of Arts in Higher Education at App State will provide you with the most up-to-date postsecondary knowledge, enabling you to create a better future for students. This program is designed to springboard you into opportunities to expand your career in education, create innovative solutions, qualify for a promotion or move into a leadership role.

Focus is placed on the issues facing modern college students and how higher education professionals can support them. Coursework will synthesize the complexities of the higher education landscape by engaging in topics that include diversity, student development, organization, governance, advising and leadership.

App State’s Higher Education program is also offered fully online — learn more by visiting App State Online.

Visit the Reich College of Education website for more information about the Higher Education program.

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A 2022 ‘Best’

In its 2022 “Best Colleges” rankings, U.S. News & World Report named App State:

  • No. 1 — Most Innovative School among Southern universities
  • No. 3 — Top Public Schools in the South
  • No. 6 — Best Regional Universities of the South

The Princeton Review named App State among the best schools in the U.S. and the Southeast for 2022.

‘Top’ school for 2022

Forbes magazine ranked App State among “America’s Top Colleges” for 2022.

Learn more about App State’s accolades

Concentrations and Courses

    • Community College and University Leadership

      Gain broad, holistic understanding of university structures and operational areas, as well as the ability to identify and analyze problems, craft data-driven solutions and cast vision for future practice.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

Related Program

  • Dual Degree Program: Business Administration - Interdisciplinary Business (MBA) and Higher Education - Community College and University Leadership (MA)

Careers and Mountaineers

Where can an App State degree take you? Anywhere you want to go!

Careers

For ADE concentration:
Graduates are prepared for positions in developmental education, learning assistance, ESL, basic skills, literacy programs and adult education programs in roles such as: 

  • Basic skills/developmental education instructors
  • ESOL instructors 
  • Faculty in career-tech programs 
  • Leaders in adult and developmental education 
  • Learning specialists 
  • Professional developers/trainers 
  • Program directors or coordinators 
  • Tutorial coordinators

For CCUL concentration:
Graduates typically advance to mid- and upper-level management and administrative positions in colleges and universities in areas such as:

  • Academic administration 
  • Admissions 
  • Advising 
  • Athletics
  • Career development 
  • Distance education 
  • Financial aid 
  • Institutional research 
  • Marketing and advancement 
  • Multicultural student development 
  • Student success programs

Employers

  • Adult Basic Skills/Adult Literacy
  • Two-year and four-year institutions across the Southeast and U.S.

Career information resource

App State’s Career Development Center
Services provided by the Career Development Center include resume reviews, career coaching, job and internship search assistance, and other tools for you to achieve life and professional success.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Andrew Koricich
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Andrew Koricich

    Exploring and explaining rural-serving higher education institutions and the roles they play regionally across the U.S. is the focus of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC), co-directed and co-founded by App State’s Dr. Andrew Koricich.

More to Explore at App State

International Experience

Work outside your cultural boundaries. Learn more

Professional Development

Invest in yourself with opportunities designed to stimulate career growth. Learn more

Graduate Assistantships

Earn some money while you earn your degree. Learn more

Apply

Are you ready to become a Mountaineer? Take the next step, apply for admission to App State and elevate your future success.

Start Your Application

Admissions questions? Contact us.

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Program Contact

Dr. Stacey Garrett
Program Director
garrettsd@appstate.edu
828-262-3112

Department of Leadership and Educational Studies

Reich College of Education

Higher Education Program

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Want to know more about the people and programs of App State’s School of Graduate Studies? Attend an information session.

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