Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

The curriculum of Walden University's online M.S. in Higher Education Program focuses on your development of management skills in various areas of higher education, including principles of learning, program design, research, finance, and faculty development. Program coursework addresses current and future trends in higher education systems, student learning needs and development, strategies for decision making, financial planning and budgeting, faculty recruiting and training, student success strategies, and program assessment methods. A capstone project allows you to apply theories and techniques learned throughout the program to design an educational program or service, or you can complete a research paper addressing a current issue facing higher education.

What Are the Prerequisites?

As an aspiring student of Walden University's M.S. in Higher Education program, you should have an academic background in education and experience working in a learning environment. Applicants to Walden University's master's programs should have a bachelor's degree; applicants may need to complete additional requirements.

What Are the Program Requirements?

Degree program curriculum and credits are subject to change, and you should contact Walden University for the most current information before enrolling in a program. To earn Walden University's M.S. in Higher Education, you must complete 30 semester credits. This total represents 27 credits in core courses and a three-credit capstone. Courses are taken in the sequence shown below.

Required Courses

• Understanding Higher Education
• Understanding Students: Learning, Development, and Diversity
• Understanding Institutions: Organizational Behavior and Culture
• Using Research and Data to Drive Decision-Making
• Best Practices for Student Success
• Optimizing Quality and Productivity
• Managing Resources for Organizational Success: Finance
• Managing Resources for Organizational Success: Human Resources
• Program Planning and Assessment
• Capstone

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Options

Upon earning Walden University's M.S. in Higher Education, you could apply skills you have developed in the program to management or supervisory jobs in community colleges, four-year public or private colleges and universities, technical colleges, or online institutions. You might be responsible for policy development, curriculum design, faculty management, program planning, or financial administration. Positions you could pursue include:

• Financial aid director
• Curriculum specialist
• Admissions director
• Student personnel administrator

Career opportunities may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Walden offers both state-approved educator licensure programs as well as programs and courses that do not lead to licensure or endorsements. Prospective students must review their state licensure requirements prior to enrolling. For more information, please refer to www.WaldenU.edu/educlicensure.

Prospective Alabama students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 1-334-242-9935 or www.alsde.edu to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.

Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 1-360-725-6275 or prof.educ@k12.wa.us to determine whether Walden's programs in the field of education are approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.