Colleges and universities —and their students — thrive when well-trained professionals and administrators are at the helm of the organization. This field offers a wide array of opportunities, and completing a degree in Higher Education Leadership at UW-Whitewater will prepare you for a position of your choice in a higher education setting.
Supporting students, working with academic units, collaborating or leading student affairs units, and working in athletics, financial aid, advising, orientation, and housing are all opportunities that exist with the completion of UW-Whitewater’s HELEAD program.
A scholar + practitioner approach
Our 30-credit program prepares you to be an equity-minded change agent across colleges and universities. Classroom experiences are grounded in research and theory that guide organizational leadership, but provide numerous opportunities for practical application. Students who complete this program will have a strong understanding of how to implement policy, apply theory, collaborate across higher education units, and engage in critical equity-minded decision-making processes.
Supportive and flexible
Program support includes a program coordinator and faculty who teach within the program serving as advisors. And there’s no need to put your job on hold — coursework is offered in the evenings or online, to ensure candidates can continue working while completing this program.
Employers tell us that students who graduate from UW-Whitewater’s program are equipped to step directly into fast-paced higher education leadership roles.
As future higher education leaders, practical experience in the field is crucial. UW-Whitewater’s 3-credit practicum includes 150 hours of hands-on work in a unit of higher education of your choice and arranged with the program coordinator and site supervisor. This experience is highly individualized and tailored to assist you with meeting individual career goals.
Students in the program will apply theory and concepts developed in class to higher education leadership settings. The purpose of the practicum is twofold: (1) to enhance individual leadership skill sets; and (2) to enhance each students' professional résumé and CV to be competitive in a job market that values diverse, hands-on, practical experiences in higher education.
Current students and alumni have completed practicums throughout the Midwest. Settings could include:
Academic Affairs Leadership
Intercollegiate Athletics/Community Outreach
Students Affairs Leadership
Two-Year College Leadership
As a university with a true branch campus — UW-Whitewater at Rock County in neighboring Janesville — we’re uniquely experienced in two-year college administration. And we have collaborations and partnerships with many other two-year, junior, and technical colleges throughout the Midwest.
After earning their degree in Higher Education Leadership, UW-Whitewater graduates find a variety of positions in various colleges and university settings. Here’s just a sample of locations and departments:
Want to learn more about a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership? Contact us at helead@uww.edu.
UW-Whitewater offers the following Higher Ed. Leadership master’s degree options:
Required master’s degree courses for HELEAD include:
Depending on your interests and career aspirations, you’ll have the choice of targeted elective courses, such as:
Prospective students can apply for admission to this program year-round. Reviews of applications are completed on a monthly basis, and communication regarding admission to the program is sent within 30 days of the application submission.
This program begins in a Fall semester only, and is cohort based for those who wish to enroll full time. If you prefer to enroll part time, that is also a possibility.