This program is offered online and in person.

On Campus

The Higher Education Administration (HEA) specialization is for students seeking to begin or advance their careers in college and university administration. Through required and elective courses, the curriculum provides foundational expertise in the history, purposes, and structure of higher education; explores the interrelationships between theory practice in areas such as student learning and development, legal issues, leadership and management, and educational equity, diversity, and justice; and enables students to apply learning to the analysis of current issues facing higher education through policy analysis and research and assessment. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of professional and educational roles, including student affairs, academic administration, precollege advisement, career advisement, fundraising and development, admissions, and financial aid, among others. Full-time students complete their degree in one academic year (fall/spring); part-time students typically complete their degree in four semesters plus one summer term. Full-time students may begin the program in the fall semester only; part-time students may begin the program in either the fall or spring semester.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a proficient understanding of the complex context shaping higher education’s past, present, and future (including cultural, developmental, financial, historical, legal, pedagogical, and political features). Appreciate the rich diversity of institution types and missions that comprise higher education and how the higher education industry relates to broader societal purposes.
• Source and understand scholarly research, understand student development theory, and apply sound assessment practices that lead to improved curricular and cocurricular outcomes. Appreciate the interrelationship between theory and practice in the development of feasible action plans and management practices. Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications, especially those that are relevant to professional practice.
• Respond adroitly to complicated issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within various higher education settings. Appreciate how issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education relate to broader societal purposes.
• Analyze and articulate institutional policies and their implications for effective administration, leadership, and management within higher education. Appreciate how institutions shape and respond to local and national policy environments.
• Understand and be able to assess the characteristics of effective leadership in higher education and reflect critically on one’s own leadership, career, and advancement.

Core Coursework (20–24 credits)

• SED AP 601 History and Foundations of Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 615 Theories of Student Learning & Development in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 699 Current Issues in Higher Education: Policy and Practice (4 cr)
• SED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 801 Professional Development Seminar (Part I, 2 cr; Part II, 2 cr)—only a required course for full-time students
• SED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 cr)

Elective Coursework (12–16 credits)

Students complete 12–16 credits of graduate-level courses with topics related to higher education. Full-time students choose three courses, or 12 credits, while part-time students choose four courses, or 16 credits. For both full-time and part-time students, all but one of the electives must be selected from graduate courses offered by either the Higher Education Administration program or another ELPS program in Wheelock College. Students may select one elective course from another BU graduate program with the approval of their advisor; all such non-HEA courses must be at the 600 level or above. Part-time students may take the two-semester course SED AP 801 as one of their four electives. Requests for transfer credit will be evaluated according to this specification, i.e., course equivalencies will be evaluated based on existing Higher Education Administration courses and relevant BU graduate courses.

Fieldwork: Graduate Assistantship/Internship

A graduate assistantship (or internship) is required for all full-time students in each semester of study. HEA Graduate Assistantships are structured as formal learning opportunities in professional settings; as such, they are governed by the policies and practices of the Wheelock Professional Preparation Office under the guidance of program faculty. Program faculty members work closely with students to identify and secure assistantships consistent with their educational and professional goals; however, it is the student’s responsibility to secure the practical experience. Students engaged in fieldwork should also enroll in the SED AP 801 Professional Development Seminar course.

Online

The Higher Education Administration specialization is a 36-credit concentration for part-time students seeking to enter or advance their careers in higher education administration. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of professional roles in higher education, including, but not limited to, student life, financial aid, admissions, career advisement, academic administration, precollege advisement, and development and alumni relations. Curricular emphasis provides students a broad foundation in higher education administration, including insight into historical/contemporary perspectives, contemporary issues, and social and personnel functions of higher education as well as governance and legal issues. Students in the online program typically complete their degree in approximately 18 months.

Core Coursework (36 credits)

All online coursework is carousel scheduled. Each course is organized in 7-week modules. Part-time students may enroll in up to two courses per semester. Students have the option to enroll at the start of fall, spring, or summer.

• SED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 601 History and Foundations of Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 612 How Colleges Work (4 cr)
• SED AP 622 Student Affairs in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• SED AP 699 Current Issues in Higher Education: Policy and Practice (4 cr)
• SED AP 730 Innovations in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 755 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4 cr)
• SED RS 600 Introduction to Research (Wheelock-wide required course for all master’s students) (4 cr)

This program is offered online and in person.

This highly customizable, 32-credit EdM program is ideal for aspiring or developing leaders of public charter, alternative, independent, and international schools as well as those interested in a career in education-related community organizations, institutes, think tanks, and state and federal service, and international education enterprises. This program is also useful for professionals in such areas as journalism, law, education sales, and marketing, and elected and appointed offices who wish to specialize in educational issues, products, or services.

Required Courses for an EdM (8 credits)

• AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 cr) or RS 615 Understanding and Applying Educational Research (4 cr)

As listed above, there are only two required courses for the EdM in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (nonlicensure). Students may also, with guidance from their advisor, take electives from multiple focus areas as well as design their own program of studies, such as:

• AP 600 Diversity and Justice (4 cr)
• AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 cr)
• AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 cr)
• AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
• AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)
• AP 800 Practicum and Seminar (4 cr)

The Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is committed to improving public education for all students by providing schools and school districts with instructional leaders who:

• Understand and adapt to the changing needs of their students, schools, and communities.
• Have a vision of effective instruction grounded in research.
• Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data to realize that vision.

Utilizing a wide network of affiliated school leaders from throughout greater Boston and beyond, our Educational Leadership Licensure Programs (ELLPs) provide aspiring school leaders with a unique combination of practice-embedded coursework and research-informed clinical experience leading toward both an EdM and eligibility for a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administrator license as a:

• Principal/Assistant Principal (Pre-K–8 or 5–12)
• Special Education Administrator
• Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
• Supervisor/Director

The courses listed below provide the theoretical foundation, professional skills, and knowledge base that the students will apply in their clinical experiences leading to mastery of the state licensure standards and indicators.

Core Courses for All Licenses

• AP 526 Family and Community Engagement (2 cr)
• AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation (4 cr)
• AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership (4 cr)
• AP 750 Educator Evaluation and Supervision (4 cr)
• AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• AP 757 School Labor Relations and Personnel Management (2 cr)
• AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations (4 cr)
• RS 600 Introduction to Research (for EdM) (4 cr) or RS 615 Understanding and Applying Educational Research (4 cr)
• TL 530 School Leadership: English Language Learners (2 cr)

Supervisor/Director License

The 28 credits above, and:

• CT 721 Analysis and Design of Curriculum (4 cr)
• CT 801 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (300 hours) (4 cr)

Special Education Administrator License

The 28 credits above, and:

• SE 702 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)
• SE 744 School Administration and Special Needs (4 cr)

Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent License

The 28 credits above, and:

• AP 761 Organizational Analysis (4 cr)
• AP 805 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)

Principal/Assistant Principal License

The 28 credits above, and:

• AP 802, 803, or 804 Leadership Practicum & Seminar (600 hours) (8 cr)

At the core of our program is an intensive clinical relationship among the student, a highly experienced field-based practitioner, and a University-based supervisor. This clinical relationship enables the student to relate course assignments to the field, applying theories learned in the classroom to the practice of leading educational institutions. It also provides entry into a practicum experience in which DESE’s Professional Standards and Indicators for Administrative Leadership (PSIs) are practiced and mastered.

Social Work (minimum of 50 credits)

Required Courses:

• SSW CP 759 Intro to SW Clin Prac. (3 cr)
• SSW ET 753 Ethics (3 cr)
• SSW FE 800 Field Ed Seminar (0 cr, 2 semesters)
• SSW FE 801 Field Ed I (3 cr)
• SSW FE 802 Field Ed II (3 cr)
• SSW FE 803 Field Education III (4 cr)
• SSW FE 804 Field Education IV (4 cr)
• SSW HB 720 Human Behavior (3 cr)
• SSW HB 735 Racial Justice (or HB elective) (3 cr)
• SSW HB XXX elective (or HB 735) (3 cr)
• SSW MP 759 Communities & Organizations (3 cr)
• SSW SR 743 Research I (3 cr)
• SSW SR 744 Research II (3 cr) **
• SSW WP 700 Soc. Welfare Policy I (3 cr)
• SSW WP 701 Soc. Welfare Policy II (3 cr)
• SSW WP XXX Welfare Policy elective (3 cr)**
• SSW elective (3 cr)**
• SSW elective (3 cr)**

For Clinical Majors:

• SSW CP 770 Clinical Practice w/ Indiv. (2 cr)
• SSW CP 771 Clinical Practice w/ Grps (2 cr)
• SSW CP 772 Clinical Practice w/Fam (2 cr)
• SSW CP XXX Clinical Prac. elective (3 cr)

For Macro Majors:

• SSW MP 773 Human Services Management (3 cr)
• SSW MP 781 Community Organizing (3 cr)
• SSW MP 783 Planning and Program Development (3 cr)

**Courses for which specific Wheelock courses can be substituted.

Educational Leadership 

Required Courses (10 credits):

• SED AP 753 Educational Policy (4 cr)
• SED AP 754 Educational Equity and the Law (2 cr)
• SED RS 653 Quantitative Research (4 cr)

Electives (14 credits):

• SED AP 526 Family & Community Engagement (4 cr)
• SED AP 600 Diversity and Justice in Education (4 cr)
• SED AP 662 Strategic Planning and Implementation
• SED AP 720 Performance-Based Instructional Leadership
• SED AP 758 School Governance, Finance, and Operations
• SED ED 600 Schooling in the United States (4 cr)
• SED SE 706 Introduction of Special Education (4 cr)

Electives from SSW or Wheelock (9 credits)