Higher Education

Master of Arts in Higher Education

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Master of Arts in Higher Education

Aerial view of Appalachian State University campus

Click the links for specific concentrations information in both Adult and Developmental Education and Community College and University Leadership.

  • Preference will be given to applications submitted by February 1, 2022. Other applications may be accepted until July 1 or when the cohort is filled.
  • Contact Dr. Stacey Garrett, Program Director at garrettsd@appstate.edu or 828-262-3112 for more information.

 Accepting Applications for MA Program On Campus and Online

  • Fall Enrollment: February 1 (priority deadline)/July 1 (final deadline) 
  • Spring Enrollment: (Main Campus non-degree only) November 1

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Higher Education provides 36 semester hours of graduate work to prepare individuals for mid-and upper-level positions in postsecondary education. This degree is for individuals interested in beginning or advancing careers in higher or adult education and provides opportunities for students to explore and apply research and theory to the complex contexts of today's educational environments. Students in the program select from one of the following three concentrations:

*Note: The M.A. in Higher Education is a non-licensure program and does not lead to NC K-12 teaching, administration, or supervision licensure.
 

Student Learning Goals

Upon completion of the M.A. program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Access and apply relevant theory, research, and/or scholarly literature to inform professional practice in higher education.
  2. Think critically and creatively to find legal, ethical, and innovative solutions to problems facing higher education.
  3. Communicate in a professional manner, expressing and supporting ideas clearly through written, oral, and visual media and employing appropriate technology.
  4. Develop and manage systems that support the mission of the institution, especially as it affects nontraditional and underrepresented populations.
  5. Respond proactively to the impacts of globalization on higher education in the United States and internationally
  6. Organize effective adult learning environments and experiences for students, colleagues, and self.
  7. Collect, organize, and interpret various types of data and evidence to inform decisions and address accountability requirements.
     

For More Information