Master of Education in Higher Education

Master of Education in Higher Education

Prepare for jobs in higher education leadership and student support.

Finish in as little as 12 months. Full-tuition fellowship opportunities available.

Photography for Merrimack College brochure covers.

Graduate Info Session & Tour

Saturday, March 23, 2024 
from 10:30 am 
to 12:00 pm

Explore the Merrimack College community, gain tips on what makes a strong application, hear about our fellowship opportunities, take a tour and more!

Master’s Degree in Higher Education: Why Merrimack College?

We designed our higher education master’s degree for professionals who are passionate about the transformative power of education, and who care deeply about supporting student success. The program excels in its:

Superior fellowship opportunities.

Merrimack College’s selective higher education fellowships cover 100 percent of your tuition and provide nine months of intensive training for jobs in higher education. Working at Merrimack or a partner institution, you’ll acquire first-rate professional experience in educational administration, building skills and achievements that set you apart in the higher education job market.

Rigorous, relevant instruction.

Whether or not you apply for a fellowship, you’ll get a hands-on education that equips you to solve problems and deliver outcomes. Our master’s in higher education addresses real-world challenges confronting educational administrators and stakeholders, using a practical framework that’s rooted in theory, informed by research and aligned with evidence-based practice.

Individualized study.

You can select elective courses, timing, and duration within Merrimack’s flexible higher ed master’s degree to fit your interests. Our program offers courses which play a dynamic role in the community, and offers excellent opportunities for meaningful civic engagement and faculty-supervised research. The master’s degree in higher education concludes with a self-designed capstone project on an issue that matters deeply to you.

Exceptional faculty.

Our higher education graduate program is led by nationally recognized scholars, researchers and innovators, who engage in deeply transformative scholarship across the state, nation, and globe. Merrimack’s small classes and high-touch culture enable you to work closely with leading experts on a wide range of higher education needs and challenges, including LGBTQ+ equity, feminism, mental health awareness and promotion, and social equity..

Active alumni network.

The 400+ graduates of our higher ed master’s degree program hold jobs in higher education institutions and college transition organizations all over the country. You’ll start your career with a built-in network of colleagues who recognize the value of Merrimack-trained educational administrators.

Flexible timetable.

You can complete the program in one year as a full-time student, or study part-time and earn the degree over 18 to 24 months.

Program Format

  • Hyflex (students can opt to take courses on campus, or remotely)
  • 36 credits

Start Terms

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer I (preferred)
  • Summer II

VIEW APPLICATION DEADLINES

Higher Education Leadership That Makes a Difference

Merrimack’s Winston School of Education and Social Policy promotes impactful higher education leadership that can transform individual lives and whole communities.

Our master’s degree in higher education goes far beyond basic preparation for higher education jobs. You’ll be empowered to advocate for higher education administrative transformation such as in the following areas:

  • Broadening access for historically underrepresented individuals and communities
  • Improving academic outcomes and lowering barriers to student success
  • Creating diverse campus populations that support students of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, first-generation college students, military veterans, working adults and international students.
  • Aligning curricular programs with employment trends and community needs
  • Devising and implementing innovations in higher education administration related to housing, counseling, financial aid, career development, health care and other issues
  • Integrating technology into the classroom
  • Empowering faculty
  • Cultivating alumni engagement

At Merrimack, you’ll belong to a dynamic community of higher education leaders who are committed to equity, diversity and social justice.

Stand Out in the Higher Education Job Market

Nearly 100 percent of our master’s degree graduates go directly into higher education jobs or doctoral programs, and 85% are hired within 90 days of graduation.

Employers actively recruit Merrimack graduates for jobs in higher education administration for various reasons. You’ll enter the workforce with hands-on experience, strong mentoring from outstanding faculty, excellent writing and research skills, and a body of work (including a capstone project) that exhibits your abilities and values.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects higher education administration jobs to grow over the next decade by 7 percent, slightly faster than the average job growth for all occupations. Recent graduates of our master’s degree program now hold higher education jobs such as:

  • Coordinator of External Relations, Harvard School of Public Health
  • Academic Support Counselor, Framingham State University
  • Residential Learning Coordinator, Virginia Tech University
  • Resident Director, Norwich University
  • Associate Director of Admissions, American University of Antigua
  • Coordinator of Career and Mentor Programs, Fitchburg State University
  • Associate Alumni Director, Merrimack College

Grad Chat Podcast

Don’t miss out on valuable insights in this episode of Grad Chat, where we explore Merrimack’s Master of Education in Higher Education. Our special guest, Elizabeth DeLong, a current student of the program, will join us to learn more about this exciting program.

Want to Learn More about the Master’s Degree in Higher Education?

Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@merrimack.edu.

Schedule an Informational Call with the Program Director

Scholarships and Fellowships

Higher education fellowships cover 50-100 percent of your tuition. If you don’t qualify for a fellowship, Merrimack’s scholarships can also offer significant tuition reduction.

Learn More

How to Apply

Create your own account. Apply to start your Master of Education in Higher Education today.

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