Higher Education Leadership M.Ed.
Tift’s Educational Leadership Program offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Leadership. The M.Ed. program will begin two cohorts annually each Fall term; one at the Macon campus and one at the Atlanta campus.
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership provides students a broad-based, scholarly foundation in higher education organization, structure, administration, and governance. The program’s purpose is to develop transformational leaders who possess a strong understanding - grounded in leadership theory - of higher education institutions. Graduates will be prepared to assume entry- or mid-level leadership responsibilities in a variety of professional areas including: admissions, student affairs, student services, advising, diversity, alumni relations and development, finance, human resources, facilities, athletics, and enrollment management. Candidates will choose from one of two tracks - Community College/Technical College (2-year) or Four-year Private or Public Institution. An optional add-on certificate program in Academic Advising may be simultaneously earned by candidates in either program track by completing a 5-course curriculum that complies with the academic coursework for certification established by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Individuals who already hold a master’s degree or higher, but are not enrolled in the proposed M.Ed. program, may apply to earn the add-on Academic Advising Certificate only.
The program is designed for students from a variety of backgrounds:
- professional adults currently employed by a 2-year or 4-year institution of higher learning who seek to improve and enhance job performance, assume greater leadership responsibility, and/or become eligible for consideration for positions for which an advanced degree is required,
- current and recent undergraduates, who plan to pursue higher education leadership as a career, and,
- working adults who are not employed in higher education leadership, but who seek to make a career change to that field.
Program Advantages:
- 36-hour degree that can be completed within 18 months
- evening courses, mostly delivered on-campus, but with some online opportunities
- professionally accomplished and highly credentialed faculty
- open to students with little or no previous experience in higher education
- offered at Mercer’s Macon and Atlanta campuses
Summary of Curriculum
The degree program requires 36 semester hours (24 Core Professional Studies hours, 12 Leadership Track hours) of coursework, which includes an internship experience and a research project. Students will select one of two higher education leadership tracks: 4-year institutions or 2-year institutions.
Core Professional Studies (24 hours)
EDEL601 Introduction to Higher Education
EDEL604 Leadership Theories
EDEL611 Legal Issues in 4-year vs. 2-year Institutions
EDEL610 Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
EDEL614 Leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics
COUN613 Cultural Perspectives in Counseling
EDEL609 Internship
EDEL695 Educational Research for Leaders
4-year Institutions (12 hours)
EDEL602 Contemporary College Student in 4-year institutions
EDEL607 Organization and Governance of 4-year Institutions
EDEL612 Human Resource Management in 4-year Institutions
EDEL616 Finance for Higher Education Leaders in 4-year Institutions
2-year Institutions (12 hours)
EDEL603 Contemporary College Student in 2-year institutions
EDEL608 Organization and Governance of 2-year Institutions
EDEL613 Human Resource Management in 2-year Institutions
EDEL617 Finance for Higher Education Leaders in 2-year Institutions
OPTIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISING CERTIFICATE FOR DEGREE CANDIDATES
A degree candidate may opt to add-on the Academic Advising Certificate to his or her degree in either leadership track by completing a 5-course curriculum that complies with the academic coursework for certification established by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). 4-year and 2-year tracks shown below:
4-year Institution Leadership Track with AAC add-on:
EDEL606 Foundations of Academic Advising
COUN601 Career/Vocational Counseling (in lieu of EDEL608)
COUN614 Lifespan Development (in lieu of EDEL612)
EDEL602 Contemporary College Student in 4-year institutions
COUN613 Cultural Perspectives in Counseling
2-year Institution Leadership Track with AAC add-on:
EDEL606 Foundations of Academic Advising
COUN601 Career/Vocational Counseling
COUN614 Lifespan Development
EDEL603 Contemporary College Student in 2-year institutions
COUN613 Cultural Perspectives in Counseling
Criteria for Candidate Admission
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale;
- An official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report (target score of 800 or better on the combined quantitative and verbal and 4.0 on the analytic section). Test scores must be less than five years old at the time of application: the institution code is 4369;
- Two official transcripts of all college work attempted, both graduate and undergraduate;
- A 2-3 page typed, double-spaced narrative of career and academic goals;
- A current vita or resume;
- Two professional letters of reference (from former and /or current supervisors or instructors). Letters should either be mailed directly from the person writing the reference or from the applicant in a sealed envelope with the signature over the seal.
- A completed, online application or printed, signed Application for Admission
- A $35 application fee (make checks payable to Mercer University, waived for alumni of Mercer University).
Additional Requirements for International Students
International applicants (non-US citizens) should submit all documentation listed above including:
- a $50 application fee,
- official sealed credential evaluation of non-US college work from an accredited credential evaluator done course-by-course with GPA,
- an official TOEFL score at least 550 computer or 80 internet, and
- a copy of passport and visa.
Mail materials to:
Mercer University Tift College of Education
Educational Leadership Program
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2012 semester (classes start in August).
- Priority application deadline is April 1, 2012.
For More Information Contact
Tracey M. Wofford
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
678-547-6422
Dr. Anthony Harris
M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership Program Coordinator
678-547-6633