Higher Education, M.Ed.

The M.Ed. in Higher Education prepares students for leadership positions in colleges and universities. The higher education master’s degree program is designed to provide students with the foundation and resources necessary to understand and analyze how universities and colleges work. Graduates of our program are prepared to take on roles in a wide range of higher education settings and assume many key roles in activities such as admissions, advising, student activities, administration, and policy analysis.

The higher education program utilizes a cohort model that offers full-time and part-time options. Our full-time track is ideal for students who hold graduate assistantships on SMU’s campus, while our part-time track is designed for working professionals interested in advancing their careers, to be completed in no more than five years.

Program Structure. This 36-hour degree program is designed to be completed in 2 years on a full-time schedule or 3-5 years for part-time students. All courses will be delivered in 3-credit hour semester long courses. Candidates must complete the required hours at the 6000-level that have not been used to fulfill an undergraduate requirement.

Students are required to select and complete one field studies experience under the supervision of a faculty member of record and a supervisor. The course prepares graduate students for professional practice in various higher education settings through supervised experiences in a setting appropriate to the student’s projected career aspirations and areas of specialization. 

Students are also required to select and complete one of the following culminating experiences. Students may choose from either EPL 6347 Capstone Project  (which may be substituted for one of the elective/special topics courses) or EPL 6001 Comprehensive Program Exam  and a second elective/special topics course.

While applicants may request consideration for transfer of up to six hours of relevant graduate credit, please be advised that applicants should not expect to receive more than six hours of transfer credit from other institutions. Requests for transfer credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students need to submit a transfer request as soon as they are accepted into the program in order to be considered. Only courses with a grade of B or above can be transferred. Generally, no credit will be allowed toward the Master’s degree for courses taken more than six years before acceptance into the program. Any exceptions to the requirements and policies stated above must have the approval of the academic adviser and department chair.