degree programs

Online Minor in higher education

The Department of Higher Education offers a minor in Higher Education to undergraduate students. A minor in Higher Education exposes students to professions and advanced areas of study within the field of Higher Education and Student Affairs. Issues in Higher Education related to history, social movements, current events, teaching, and learning are focus areas of the minor. The minor is comprised of 15 credits and is delivered online.

Application deadline

Rolling admission

Course REQUIREMENTS

Students who want to pursue the 15-credit minor in Higher Education must apply to the minor (see application link below) AND complete the following required courses:

REQUIRED (9 credits):

Edhe 350: Introduction to Student Development & Student Services (3 cr) *Offered each Spring

Edhe 351: Organization & Policy (3 cr) *Offered each Fall

Edhe 352: Introduction to Higher Education (3 cr) *Offered each Spring

ELECTIVES (6 credits):

Students must also elect 6 additional hours of approved education courses at the 300 level or higher dealing with issues and content related to Higher Education and/or Student Affairs. No more than 3 of these hours can be individual or independent study. Standard electives are offered each semester and are listed below. Additional electives (i.e., at the 300 level or higher) may be considered with departmental approval.

Edhe 301: Career and Life Planning (3cr) *Offered each Fall, Spring, and Summer

Edhe 333: Special Topics in Higher Education (3cr) *Students must take 3 credits of this variable credit course, which is offered each Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students may also take this course more than once, as long as the “topic” is different.

Students must maintain at least a 3.0 average in all courses counted toward the minor. Other courses at the 300 level or higher may count toward the minor with the approval of the department chair.

Other ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

The higher education minor is open to undergraduate students who have an interest in higher education and student affairs. The minor does not meet graduate degree requirements.

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

  • Completion of at least 30 credit hours prior to starting the minor

  • Applicant interviews are possible

Dr. Phillis George—Department Chair—Email: plgeorge@olemiss.edu

 

Master of Arts in Higher Education / Student Personnel

M.A. Program-emphases in Student Affairs or intercollegiate Athletic administration

The on-campus M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel program is comprised of two emphasis areas: Higher Education and Intercollegiate Athletic Administration. Students can choose either emphasis. The program provides professional preparation for persons who are or will be employed in the administration of student affairs, student life, student services, or other co-curricular positions at a college or university.  Many graduate assistantship opportunities are available. The Department of Higher Education sponsors an annual graduate assistantship fair for current and newly admitted M.A. students. Students may also apply for graduate assistantships that are posted on The Graduate School’s website: Open Graduate Assistantships. No GRE is required to apply.

Most of our full-time master’s students hold graduate assistantships somewhere on campus. Half-time assistantships have a service commitment of 20 hours/week. In exchange, they cover fall and spring tuition and provide a stipend, the amount of which varies by site and the level of the graduate student. Quarter-time assistantships have a service commitment of 10 hours/week. In exchange, they cover 75% of fall and spring tuition and provide a stipend, the amount of which varies by site and the level of the graduate student.

Dr. Kerry Brian Melear—Faculty Director—Email: kbm@olemiss.edu

online Master of Arts

in Higher Education / Student Personnel

Online M.A. Program-Emphases in Higher Education or Intercollegiate Athletic administration

The online M.A. program is comprised of two emphasis areas: Higher Education or Intercollegiate Athletic Administration. Students can choose either emphasis. The program is designed to serve the needs of working professionals and is delivered completely online:

Dr. George McClellan—Faculty Director—Email: gsmcclel@olemiss.edu

 

online Doctor of Education (ED.D.) Program

The School of Education is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, a consortium of doctoral-granting institutions committed to advancing the understanding of the contemporary doctorate in education.

The School of Education is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, a consortium of doctoral-granting institutions committed to advancing the understanding of the contemporary doctorate in education.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with an emphasis in Higher Education is designed for current college and university administrators who desire to emphasize a practitioner focus in their doctoral studies. It is possible to complete the Ed.D. degree requirements on a part-time basis over a three-year period. The degree culminates with a Dissertation-in-Practice, a capstone dissertation project based on research focused through the lens of professional practice. Using a student cohort format in program delivery, there exists a high degree of collaboration contributing to enhanced student persistence and completion. The cohort model allows students to meet and study alongside professional peers and engage in meaningful and engaging discussion and intellectual exploration.

The required courses and Dissertation in Practice (DiP) project allow you to hone expertise in a content area, learn and apply assessment and evaluation principles, and self-author your career plan to help colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations improve equity and demonstrate accountability. The curriculum allows you to learn from leading, nationally recognized experts in higher education law and student affairs. The DiP gives you an opportunity to engage with clients to meet their evaluation and assessment needs.

Admissions

The Ed.D. admissions committee meets in the spring semester to admit a cohort for the fall. A competitive applicant:

  • Meets the priority application deadline (March 1)

  • Has a score of 4.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE

  • Has strong grade point averages for previous study (undergraduate, master’s, or first-professional degree transcripts)

  • Writes a statement of purpose that clearly articulates interest in this program that emphasizes strengthening skills related to assessment and evaluation

  • Submits a resume that demonstrates experience in higher education and ability to advance in the profession

  • Provides contact information for three professional references

  • Includes a strong letter of support from a current or previous supervisor

Dr. Macey Edmondson—Faculty Director—Email: maceye@olemiss.edu

 


Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree provides the opportunity to advance a doctoral student’s expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research skills to conduct scholarly research. The degree cultivates advanced knowledge in educational foundations, enabling the student to develop critical perspectives on contemporary policy and practice. Department of Higher Education faculty are regarded nationally as scholars, having active research agendas. Assistantships and fellowships are available for full-time students on a competitive basis. Students pursuing the PhD also have the option to pursue an emphasis area in Gender Studies, which is offered in partnership with the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies.

Dr. George McClellan— Interim Faculty Director—Email: gsmcclel@olemiss.edu

Curious About our PhD Program? Ask us for more information!