Brian McCadden, Ph.D., Program Director
Harkins Hall 320
401.865.2247
The Graduate Studies program in Higher Education is designed to prepare its students to either begin professional careers in college or university administration or advance in their careers. The administrative fields which graduates enter include college advising, career education, college admissions, student leadership, residential life, international education, student support, etc. Depending on the organizational structure of the college or university, these fields may be housed in student affairs units or academic affairs units.
The program consists of 30 credits of coursework and 6 credits of field experience. The program is designed to be completed in two academic years; however, students have up to five years to complete the program. Courses are carefully designed to build from theory to practice, with students moving from foundational coursework to more specialized coursework as they move through the program. The field experiences provide a capstone that synthesizes theory and practice as well as prepares students to enter the higher education job market. Students who are professionals advancing in their careers through this program may, with approval, substitute additional coursework for field experiences.
Students who successfully complete the program earn an M.Ed. degree in Higher Education.
The program offers a certificate in Sports Administration for students interested in collegiate athletic careers in areas such as student-athlete advising, coaching, fundraising/development, marketing, NCAA compliance, recreational sports administration, etc. The certificate consists of 3 courses, approved by the program director, and may be completed separately from or as part of the master’s degree. Students in the master’s program interested in the certificate are encouraged to complete their 2 field practice courses in a collegiate athletics setting.
Application Deadlines*
| Start Term |
Application Deadline |
| Summer I or II |
March 1st |
| Fall |
July 1st |
| Spring |
November 1st |
*Note: Students can take up to 2 courses while their application is under review.*
Admission Requirements
A 2.75 undergraduate GPA is required for conditional admission to the program. A 3.0 or higher GPA is required for full admission. A conditional admission indicates that the student will be required to meet additional academic criteria during their initial coursework to gain full admission.
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