Kristin Higgins
Department Head of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods
100 Graduate Education Building
479-575-3329
kkhiggi@uark.edu

Leslie Jo Shelton
M.Ed. Program Coordinator
116A Graduate Education Building
479-575-4873
Email: ljshelto@uark.edu

Higher Education Program Website

Degrees offered:

M.Ed., Ph.D. in Higher Education (HIED)

Program Description:   The Higher Education program focuses on the preparation of academic and administrative professionals in higher education and equips its students with the skills and knowledge to be able to provide effective leadership to institutions of higher education. The Higher Education program prepares students to exhibit professional competencies as practitioner scholars and educators, make evidence-based decisions through processes that recognize a wide variety of environmental factors, constituents, and influences, and contribute to creating more diverse and inclusive institutions. The program allows practicing professionals as well as persons entering the higher education field to pursue interests emphasizing community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, or state, regional, or national agencies.

M.Ed. in Higher Education

Admission Prerequisites for Master of Education Program: Formal admission to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Higher Education requires prior admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School, which requires a separate application process. Admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of course work attempted. Applicants who do not meet the GPA guideline may qualify for admission by special consideration after consulting with the program coordinator prior to applying for the program. 

In addition, admission to the program requires (1) a completed Higher Education Master’s program application form; (2) a statement of interest; (3) a current resume; (4) three supporting letters of recommendation; and (5) a writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s best writing.

Students admitted into the Higher Education Program should secure a graduate assistantship prior to the start of the program or be employed full-time in higher education or a related field (exceptions must be approved by faculty).

Requirements for the Master of Education Degree: (Minimum 36 hours.) The master’s degree program in higher education provides academic preparation for persons who plan to seek entry level positions at the director or assistant director level in both two-year and four-year institutions for which a master’s degree is appropriate preparation, including community colleges and technical colleges, liberal arts colleges, and four-year colleges and universities. Depending upon prior experience, graduates may expect to find employment in a wide variety of positions in residence life, financial aid, career planning and placement, student activities, student union management, alumni affairs, development, public information, continuing education, financial management, human resources, and institutional research, or as adviser to fraternities and sororities, or minority students.

In combination with course work outside of Higher Education, students may prepare for positions in development and in other beginning level positions in post-secondary institutions and educational agencies.

M.Ed. Program Requirements

Completion of a minimum total of 36 graduate semester-hour credits.

Higher Education Core
HIED 5033Student Affairs in Higher Education3
HIED 5043Student Development in Higher Education3
HIED 5083History and Philosophy of Higher Education3
HIED 5643Reflective Practice in Higher Education and Student Affairs3
HIED 5063Diversity in Higher Education3
HIED 6653Legal Aspects of Higher Education3
Higher Education (HIED) Electives15
Research Methods Course selected from the following:3
Research in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Research Methods in Education
Statistics in Education and Health Professions
Total Hours36

A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.85 on all course work for the degree. No grades below “C” will be accepted for graduate degree credit.

Satisfactory performance on a written comprehensive examination.

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

Ph.D. in Higher Education

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education (HIEDPH) Degree: Formal admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Higher Education requires:

  1. Prior admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School, which requires a separate application process;
  2. A master’s degree or approved equivalent (minimally, 30 hours of post-baccalaureate graduate work completed);
  3. A cumulative grade-point average on all graduate work attempted of at least 3.25;
  4. A satisfactory Millers Analogy Test (MAT) score or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores;
  5. Relevant professional experience in the field of higher education or a closely related field;
  6. A completed Higher Education Program Application for Admission Form;
  7. A current resumé or vitae;
  8. A statement of interest;
  9. At least three references (using our forms);
  10. A writing sample demonstrating the applicant's best writing;
  11. A personal interview with a Higher Education faculty committee, which by majority vote decides admission. Completed application deadlines are October 15 for Spring admission and March 15 for Fall admission.

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Higher Education Foundation Core (15 hours)15
History and Philosophy of Higher Education
Trends, Issues and Problems in Higher Education
College Students in the United States
Legal Aspects of Higher Education
Governance and Policy Making in Higher Education
Higher Education Courses15
Higher Education courses such as the following. Up to 6 credit hours of master's-level HIED courses or self directed HIED courses such as Practicum or Independent Study may be approved by the advisory committee.
The Professoriate: Problems and Issues
Introduction to the Study of Higher Education
Leading Change
Advancement in Higher Education
The College and University Presidency
Strategic Enrollment Management
Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness in Higher Education
Finance and Fiscal Management
Seminar
Research Requirements15
Research in Higher Education and Student Affairs (or an equivalent course approved by the student's advisory committee)
Educational Statistics and Data Processing (or an equivalent course approved by the student's advisory committee)
Research Techniques in Higher Education
Advanced research methods courses selected from the following or as approved by the student's advisory committee (6 hours)
Experimental Design in Education
Multiple Regression Techniques for Education
Qualitative Research
Advanced Qualitative Research
Measurement and Evaluation
Graduate Electives33
Electives as needed to fulfill total graduate semester hours required. May include graduate hours completed as part of another graduate degree program as approved by the student's advisory committee.
Dissertation
HIED 700VDoctoral Dissertation18
Total Hours96

Completion of the following doctoral program requirements:

  • Minimum of 96 total graduate semester credit hours that includes a minimum of 72 credit hours of post-baccalaureate graduate coursework and at least 18 credit hours of dissertation.
  • For students with master's in higher education, a minimum of 42 graduate semester credit hours completed beyond master's at the University of Arkansas, including a minimum of 24 hours of post-master's higher education coursework and at least 18 semester credit hours of dissertation.
  • Minimum grade point average of at least 3.25 on all course work presented as part of the degree program. No graduate degree credit will be granted for any course grades below “C.”
  • Satisfactory completion of all requirements governing the written and oral examinations for the candidacy examination, the dissertation, and the final oral dissertation defense.

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to doctoral degrees.

Graduate Faculty

Hevel, Michael Stephen, Ph.D. (University of Iowa), M.A. (Bowling Green State University), B.A. (University of Kansas), Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 2012, 2017.
Mamiseishvili, Ketevan, Ph.D., M.A. (University of Missouri-Columbia), B.A. (Akaki Tsereteli State University), Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 2008, 2017.
McCray, Suzanne, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee), M.A., B.A. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 2010.
Miller, Michael T., Ed.D. (University of Nebraska), M.S., B.A. (Southern Illinois University), Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 2003, 2005.
Murry, John, Ed.D., J.D., M.B.A., B.S.B.A., B.S. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 1993, 1999.
Shelton, Leslie Jo, Ph.D. (Michigan State University), M.Ed., B.A. (Ohio University), Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resource and Communication Disorders, 2014, 2018.

Courses

HIED 5003. Overview-American Higher Education. 3 Hours.

A basic course in the study of higher education open to all students seeking careers in colleges and universities. Serves as an introduction to the programs, problems, issues, and trends in higher education. (Typically offered: Fall)

HIED 5033. Student Affairs in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

Study of origins, functions, and policies in student personnel services in contemporary 2- and 4-year colleges and universities with emphasis on the student and student development. (Typically offered: Fall)

HIED 5043. Student Development in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

Provides those who work or plan to work in post secondary educational institutions with an understanding of the student population in contemporary colleges and universities. (Typically offered: Spring)

HIED 504V. Practicum in Higher Education. 1-6 Hour.

Students are assigned to a department or agency within or outside the university for professional experience under the joint supervision of on-site personnel and university faculty. Periodic meetings are scheduled for evaluation, discussion, and examination of techniques. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

HIED 5053. The Community College. 3 Hours.

An overview of the community college. Topics include the history and philosophy of the community college movement, students, curriculum, state and local campus governance, teaching, student personnel work, finance and issues, problems, and trends. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 5063. Diversity in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

Broadly explores how sociocultural contexts influence diversity at colleges and universities. Focuses on the responsibilities of higher education leaders to be multiculturally competent professionals who foster inclusive practices for diverse student populations. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 5073. Management of Higher Education Institutions. 3 Hours.

Principles and concepts of management and their application in college and university settings. (Typically offered: Fall and Summer)

HIED 5083. History and Philosophy of Higher Education. 3 Hours.

An examination of the history and development of higher education including the study of the philosophy, objectives, and functions of various types of institutions. (Typically offered: Spring)

HIED 5093. Research in Higher Education and Student Affairs. 3 Hours.

This course provides master's students an overview of research and literature applicable to the discipline; teaches students how to understand academic literature and use empirical evidence to inform practices and policies at colleges and universities. Prerequisite: MEd students in the Higher Education Program. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

HIED 5303. Non-Profit Fundraising. 3 Hours.

Non-Profit Fundraising examines the theory and practice of the professional field of fundraising and development, which is dedicated to attracting philanthropic support from constituents for colleges, universities, health organizations, hospitals, non-profit organizations, museums and other philanthropic endeavors. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 5643. Reflective Practice in Higher Education and Student Affairs. 3 Hours.

Provides students an opportunity to work in a functional area of higher education, reflect on how their experiences inform their career goals as higher education professionals, and learn job search strategies in higher education. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

HIED 600V. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Master's Thesis. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

HIED 6013. The Professoriate: Problems and Issues. 3 Hours.

An examination of the vital issues and trends affecting college faculty personnel with emphasis upon institutional practices and policies. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6023. Introduction to the Study of Higher Education. 3 Hours.

A requirement for all new doctoral and specialist students. Familiarization with writing requirements, library search procedures, library resources, and program requirements. Prerequisite: Admission to Higher Education Ed.D program. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 605V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

Provides students with an opportunity to pursue special study in higher education. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

HIED 6093. Leading Change. 3 Hours.

An in-depth examination of leadership, change, and culture in postsecondary education. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6303. Advancement in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

Advancement in Higher Education examines the theory and practice of the professional field and function referred to as "institutional advancement", which is dedicated to attracting philanthropic support as well as building attitudinal and behavioral support among key constituents for colleges and universities. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6343. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

An examination of teaching and learning in colleges and universities. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6353. The College and University Presidency. 3 Hours.

The course explores the basic elements of the presidency of an academic institution and examines the critical issues facing the college and university presidents/chancellors. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6423. Trends, Issues and Problems in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

A study of the current problems and trends related to the field of higher education. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6483. Strategic Enrollment Management. 3 Hours.

An examination of admissions marketing strategies, communications plans, branding, and forecasting as well as how other areas (financial aid, honors, scholarships, and student affairs) contribute to successful recruitment efforts. Other key enrollment management areas of focus for the class include academic records, registration, degree audits, FERPA, student support, and most importantly, retention. Major state and federal legislation that underscores any of these activities will be discussed as well. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6533. Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

The course examines the fundamentals of assessment of learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness and introduces assessment as a tool to inform strategic planning and data-driven decision-making in higher education. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6643. College Students in the United States. 3 Hours.

Students will engage with the leading theoretical and empirical scholarship related to college students and use this information to engage in class discussion, complete course assignments, consider implications for practice, and contemplate opportunities for new scholarship. Prerequisite: Doctoral student in the Higher Education Program or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6653. Legal Aspects of Higher Education. 3 Hours.

An examination of the legal status of higher education in the United States; the rights and responsibilities of educators and students including fair employment; due process; torts liability and contracts; student rights landmark court decisions; federal and state legislation having an impact on education. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

HIED 6663. Finance and Fiscal Management. 3 Hours.

Higher education finance and budgeting practices: problems, issues, trends, and policy issues in higher education. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6683. Governance and Policy Making in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

An analysis of governance and policy making affecting the control of colleges and universities. Attention is given to policy generation, governing board supervision, and the impact of institutional, professional, and regional groups as well as community, state, and federal pressures. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 6693. Research Techniques in Higher Education. 3 Hours.

Techniques of research applicable to Higher Education. (Typically offered: Irregular)

HIED 674V. Internship. 1-6 Hour.

Supervised field experiences in student personnel services, college administration, college teaching, institutional research, development, or other areas of college and university work. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

HIED 699V. Seminar. 1-6 Hour.

A series of seminar for specialized study into areas of current significance in postsecondary education, such as leadership and planning; organization, development, and change; human resource development and appraisal; the student in higher education; etc. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

HIED 700V. Doctoral Dissertation. 1-18 Hour.

Doctoral Dissertation. Prerequisite: Candidacy. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.