COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Master's Degree Programs

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.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities in higher education are expected to grow over the next decade, including a 6% administrative services and facilities managers, a 4% increase for career counselors and academic advisors, and a 3% increase for postsecondary education administrators.

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.

Degree plan Apply

Why study Higher Education Leadership at UW-Whitewater?

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.

What our students do

Purple icon of a magnifying glass looking at a piece of paper.

Explore current and urgent topics in college leadership

Pink icon of a faculty member with a student holding a book.

Get individualized attention and advising from faculty

Teal icon of an apple with circles around it.

Gain real-world experience through a practicum in an actual higher ed setting

Hands-on learning experiences

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

  • Academic Advising
  • Chancellor’s Office/Provost’s Office
  • Curriculum Development/Assessment
  • Enrollment and Retention
  • Faculty Development Center
  • Financial Aid
  • Graduate School/Continuing Studies
  • Registrar’s Office

Intercollegiate Athletics/Community Outreach

  • Athletic Administration
  • Campus Outreach Programming
  • Camps and Clinics

Students Affairs Leadership

  • Career Services
  • Dean of Students Office
  • Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Affairs
  • First-Year Experience Office
  • High School to College Transition Programing
  • LGBTQ Programming
  • Student Orgs/Greek Life

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.

The fast lane to higher education leadership degree

Cole Mahlkuch, a first-generation college student, balances a busy schedule as a full-time staff member in the Juda School District with his coursework, and is on track to graduate thanks to his unwavering commitment to academic excellence and UW-Whitewater's flexible path to a master's degree.

Read Cole's story

What our graduates do

Blue icon of a stack of books.

Academic affairs leadership

Green icon of a person teaching class.

Student affairs leadership

Teal icon of a whistle.

Intercollegiate athletics

Careers: What can you do with a Higher Education Leadership degree?

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:

  • ABC of Wisconsin
  • Beloit College, Admissions
  • Central Connecticut State University Athletics
  • Marquette University (Milwaukee)
  • Milwaukee Area Technical College, Admissions
  • Texas A&M University, Residence Life
  • Thomas College, Community Standards
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business
  • University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Post Secondary Education Research Center
  • University of North Florida, College of Education and Human Services
  • University of North Texas at Dallas, Student Engagement
  • University of Wisconsin Colleges Online, Registrar’s Office
  • UW-La Crosse, Office of Field Experience
  • UW-Madison, Financial Aid
  • UW-Whitewater, Academic Advising and Exploration Center
  • UW-Whitewater, College of Business and Economics
  • UW-Whitewater, College of Education and Professional Studies
  • UW-Whitewater, First Year Experience
  • UW-Whitewater, Recreation Sports
  • UW-Whitewater, University Housing
  • UW-Whitewater, Undergraduate Admissions
  • Wisconsin Technical College System, Information Technology

Contact us

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:

  • Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs
  • College Student Development: Theory, Assessment, and Application
  • Assessment in Higher Education
  • Diversity and Equity in Higher Education
  • Reading, Analyzing, and Evaluating Higher Education Research

Depending on your interests and career aspirations, you’ll have the choice of targeted elective courses, such as:

  • Legal Issues in Higher Education
  • Issues, Perspectives, and Directions in Higher Education
  • Organization and Governance in Higher Education
  • Event Management, Marketing and Sponsorship in Athletics

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.

Additional requirements for admission to the MSE Higher Education Leadership program, which can be submitted during the application process:

  • Upload a resume documenting your professional experience.
  • Upload a personal statement (2-3 pages) describing the reason behind your decision to pursue this degree, your short- and long-term career goals, and the value you believe you will add to the learning experience of your fellow students.
  • Provide contact information (name, organization, position/title, relationship, telephone and email address) for two (2) individuals that are knowledgeable about your potential to do graduate-level coursework.
Apply now

Explore related programs at UW-Whitewater

School Business Management

Business Education

Professional Studies
COOKIE NOTICE

We use cookies on this site. By continuing to browse without changing your browser settings to block or delete cookies you agree to the UW-Whitewater Privacy Notice.