Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:
Early Consideration: 1/31/25
Priority Consideration: 3/28/25
Final Consideration: 5/30/25
The Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education Leadership prepares students for mid-career higher education leadership positions. This degree also prepares students interested in enrolling in an Ed.D. or Ph.D. Higher Education program.
Information Session
See our flyer (.pdf)
Please join us for a virtual info session on the following dates and times where we will share program information and application details for Fall 2025 admissions:
Wednesday 2/12/25 @ 6pm
Wednesday, 3/12/25 @ 6pm
Wednesday, 4/16/25 @ 6pm
Register Here: https://forms.gle/ids9QHiX3yqPmCAN6
General Program and Admissions Information
Overview and Outcomes
Specifically, the program is intended to facilitate learning by supporting students who are committed to:
- Facilitating the development, articulation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the higher education community.
- Advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a campus environment conducive to student learning and professional growth.
- Ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective campus environment.
- Engaging with community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
- Modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.
- Understanding, responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
Curriculum
Courses Requirements and Sequence
The program requires 33 units of coursework to be completed over four semesters. The courses include:
| ELPS 600HE | Research Design in Higher Education (3) |
|---|---|
| ELPS 601HE | American Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 650HE | Contemporary Administrative Leadership (3) |
| ELPS 656HE | Diversity and Student Success in Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 663HE | Higher Education Policy and Law (3) |
| ELPS 667HE | Organization and Administration of Community College Education (3) |
| ELPS 673HE | Leadership for Managing Reform in Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 674HE | Higher Education Operations: Finance and Human Resources in Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 688HE | Fieldwork in Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 690HE | Research Analysis in Higher Education (3) |
| ELPS 697HE | Directed Comprehensive Studies (3) |
The course sequence over the program of study can be seen below.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| ELPS 600HE | ELPS 688HE | ELPS 690HE | ELPS 663HE |
| ELPS 601HE | ELPS 656HE | ELPS 667HE | ELPS 674HE |
| ELPS 650HE | ELPS 673HE | ELPS 697HE | |
Admissions
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:
Early Consideration: 1/31/25
Priority Consideration: 3/28/25
Final Consideration: 5/30/25
Application Deadlines
The Higher Education Leadership Master’s program practices rolling admissions which means we fill the cohort as we review applications throughout the admissions cycle which spans from January 31, 2025 to May 30, 2025.
The following are deadlines to submit your application during this cycle:
- Early Consideration, 1/31/25: To be considered for early admissions we recommend that you turn in your complete application by this date.
- Priority Consideration, 3/28/25: We will consider a second set of applications by this date, however please note that spots may be limited depending on the early consideration admission decisions.
- Final Consideration, 5/30/25: The last and final deadline will consider applications contingent on the remaining spots we may or may not have in the cohort.
The Application Process
There are two phases to the application process: 1) Selection to the Program and 2) Admission to the University. All applicants will submit materials for selection; some applicants may be required to participate in an additional interview. Accepted applicants must confirm their place in the cohort through application to the University.
Phase 1: Selection
Only completed applications will be accepted. Departmental Applications will need to be submitted here: https://www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=csun
- First apply to the department and upload all necessary documents: https://www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=csun
Supporting Documents Include:
- Unofficial transcripts from all four-year universities or colleges
- Statement of purpose, not to exceed 2 double-spaced pages
- Critical response, not to exceed 1 double-spaced page
- Professional resume or CV, not to exceed 2 pages
- Two letters of recommendation, at least 1 letter should be from someone who can speak to your academic experiences.
Phase 2: Admission
If accepted to the program, applicants must apply to the University (online at Cal State Apply) in order to reserve their place.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no longer a GRE requirement for admissions to this program.
No, there is no requirement that your B.A. or B.S. is related to education. We accept students from all disciplines.
No, prior employment or voluntary experience within higher education is not required.
Yes, we have CSUN and Michael D. Eisner College of Education scholarships available for graduate students, more information here: https://www.csun.edu/financialaid/scholarships and here: https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/college/students/scholarships
Yes, the program is designed for full-time and part-time working adults, all faculty are aware of the demands of student’s professional and personal lives.
Yes, CSUN has student housing and residential life for graduate students and for students with dependents, children, a spouse, or partner. More information here: https://www.csun.edu/housing/future-residents
There are many positions you can pursue within higher education and beyond with this degree. Many of our graduates are in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs at public and private universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations. Our graduates typically hold early-career, mid-career, or advanced-career positions. Other students use this degree to pursue a doctorate in Education or a related field.
We alternate between in-person and virtual classes throughout the semester. All courses will be offered in the same modality on the same instruction day.