Higher Education (MS)

Ignite your potential with our master's program in higher education, where dynamic leadership meets flexible learning! Step up as a trailblazer to reshape the future of education one innovative idea at a time.

  • Offered 100% Online.
  • 2 to 2.5 years
  • 30 or 36 credit hours
  • No thesis required
  • No foreign language credits required

Shape Tomorrow's Education

At East Texas A&M, you can unleash your potential to disrupt the status quo of higher education! Our program is designed to transform aspiring leaders into change-makers, blending innovative strategies with real-world challenges. Join us, and learn how you can turn your vision into reality. The future of education isn't just something you study; it's something you create.

Aerial view of East Texas A&M University campus featuring a peaceful pond with three fountains, surrounding trees, and campus buildings in the background.

Earn your Masters for ONly $12,000

Earn your master’s in Higher Education for $12,000 at East Texas A&M. Our 100% online program in the Higher Education Teaching emphasis gives you the opportunity to teach dual credit courses in K-12 or at a Community College. Begin your transformation today! For more information, contact [email protected].

What Are My Job Opportunities?

Ignite your future at East Texas A&M with a master's in higher education! Learn to drive innovation, advocate for accessibility and become a leader in transforming education. Your journey to meaningful change starts here!

Careers and Salaries

Postsecondary Teachers
$ 84,380
Postsecondary Education Administrators
$ 102,610
Education, Guidance and Career Advisors
$ 61,710

Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

Woman working on a computer sitting by windows.

Program Details

A master's in higher education at East Texas A&M University can empower you, a future leader, with essential skills to transform the higher education landscape. Learn to master the tools to impact academic institutions significantly while emphasizing innovation and togetherness.

What Might I Learn?

You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.

Educational Policy and Governance

Understand the policies that shape higher education and academic governance structures.

Data Analysis and Assessment

Sharpen your skills in collecting and analyzing data to improve institutional effectiveness and student outcomes.

Strategic Planning

Acquire techniques for long-term planning and resource allocation in higher education settings.

Advocacy and Change Management

Learn how to advocate for meaningful changes within educational institutions.

Taking Classes

Our flexible programs are designed for current educators and working professionals. Learn from and connect with distinguished faculty and experts committed to your success.

Designed for your life

Whether you are a college instructor or an administrator, you can benefit from our flexible and convenient curriculum that covers the latest innovations and best practices in higher education.

Hybrid Online

Pursue your educational and career aspirations as you advance your higher education career. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid course delivery, with most courses offered online and select courses offered face-to-face at the Mesquite Metroplex Center. For an up to date list of course offerings, locations and meeting times, please check the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.

Curriculum

Our curriculum combines theory with practical application. Together, the Master of Science in Higher Education program explores essential leadership and policy skills to help prepare you for impactful roles in the field.

Higher Education Administration

If you dream of holding leadership roles within higher education institutions, consider the 30-semester-hour program. Curriculum focuses on developing expertise in governance, policy and organizational dynamics. Further, the 30-hour program emphasizes cultivating practical skills through internships and applied learning opportunities.

Higher Education Teaching

If you aspire to teach at the collegiate level, the 36-semester-hour program may be for you. Courses in this emphasis explore advanced knowledge in curriculum development, teaching methodologies and educational theory while allowing you to specialize in a teaching discipline to enhance your subject matter expertise.

Both emphases require the successful completion of a comprehensive exam.

Degree Plan
Schedule of Classes

Adding Value with Certificates

You can develop leadership and policy skills while enhancing your degree with graduate certificates. Prepare to make a significant impact in academic institutions.

Focus Your Passion

Get ready to create meaningful direction in your career by earning your master’s degree with one of our emphases.

Administration Emphasis (Non-Thesis)

Our Administration Emphasis introduces you to the field and profession of higher education. Explore the history of higher education and how it benefits communities and societies. Learn how colleges and universities work and lead their students toward success. Our program is carefully crafted to prepare you for rewarding entry- and mid-level administrative careers in offices devoted to financial aid, registrar, housing, academic counseling, budgeting, student affairs, alumni relations and admissions. This program may be completed fully online. Total Credit Hours: 30

College Teaching Emphasis (Non-Thesis)

Our College Teaching Emphasis provides you with the basic requirements for teaching and is designed to prepare you for positions in higher education for which the master's degree is the minimal qualification. This program includes six courses (18 hrs) in the major (Higher Education) and six courses (18 hrs) in a teaching field outside the department. With the assistance of advisers, you will select this teaching field from the departments on campus that offer graduate coursework in disciplines typically taught in the region’s community colleges.

This program is not eligible for 100% online delivery, as disciplinary graduate coursework is typically offered in a face-to-face format. Total Credit Hours: 36

VIEW FULL CURRICULUM

Finding My Community

We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Anjum Najmi, Ph.D.

Faculty
I find myself at the intersection of two exciting disciplines, educational technology and informatio…
Profile for Anjum

Dimitra J. Smith, Ph.D.

Faculty
As a professor, my role is to guide students in discovering their voice, agency, and capacity to sha…
Profile for Dimitra

I’m Looking For Something Different

Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!

Two students in graduation cap and gown smile holding their diploma

Financing My Future

Financial Aid

Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships

More About Financial Aid

On-Campus Employment Opportunities

Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.

Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching

Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.

Cost Before Financial Aid

East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.

$3,669

for Texas residents

/

$7,341

For non-residents

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are

TUITION AND FEES
0
Per Semester

Additional Fees May Apply

  • Online Courses ($50 per hour)
  • Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
  • Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)

How Do I Get Started?

If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Admission Process

Note: This program is currently not available to international students.

Submit Application

  • Create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
  • Select “Higher Education, MS” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

Domestic Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:

East Texas A&M University

Attn: Graduate School

2600 S. Neal St.

Commerce, Texas 75428

If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript. We will access your transcript.

If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.

International transcripts

WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:

  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
  • Any country where the official transcript is not in English

For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.

Approved Transcript Evaluation Agencies

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents.

If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.

Describe your preparation for graduate work and your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

View Degree Plan

DegreeWorks is where you track your progress through your program and make sure you are meeting all your requirements for graduation.

  • Sing in to myLEO
  • Navigate to “Student Resources”
  • Select “Grad School DegreeWorks”

Register for Classes

  • To register for classes, go to myLEO > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

I Still Have Questions

We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.

Dimitra J. Smith, Ph.D. Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator
DeRene Sutton Graduate Student Services Coordinator: College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, College of Innovation and Design
Alum Conner Kelley Graduate Enrollment Specialist for College of Education and Human Services

Contact the Department

  • Young Education North #126
  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011

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