M.A. in Higher Ed. Administration 100% Online

Help Colleges and Universities Meet Their Goals

Advance your career.

Prepare for a rewarding career in higher education with Fairleigh Dickinson’s affordable online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration degree. With the guidance of a dedicated faculty, you’ll navigate an accelerated curriculum that explores all aspects of the student services field.

Throughout the program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop critical leadership skills and gain an in-depth understanding of the complex challenges facing colleges and universities today.

After completing this degree, you’ll be prepared to enter the workforce with a thorough understanding of the intricate economic, cultural and social challenges facing today’s college students. Graduates can seamlessly transition into the Ed.D. in Higher Education program upon admission. You can receive advanced standing and apply 6–9 credits of your 36-credit M.A. in Higher Education Administration degree towards the 45-credit Ed.D.

Experience learning that’s catered to your individual needs. With small, intimate classes and a superb faculty, FDU is the springboard for the career you’ve always wanted.

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Learn the ABCs of Higher Ed

To better fit your individual career goals, our 36-hour M.A. in Higher Education Administration allows you to customize 18 hours of coursework in electives to further develop your knowledge of administration, admission, financial aid, risk management and more. To ensure you gain hands-on training, the program requires a master’s project and an internship*. Through these experiences, you will learn how to synchronize your knowledge and apply it practically to the real world.

Courses you may take in this program include:

This course provides an overview of college governance and explores the relationship between program development, planning, and budgeting for management in higher education settings, resource acquisition and alumni/trustee relations.

This course provides an overview of relevant state/federal statutes (FERPA, ADA, etc.). In addition, the development and implementation of campus judicial models are reviewed with a focus on best practices.

This course explores the assessment and preparation of plans for addressing crises that may occur within a college setting. The components will include crisis management planning, response, and recovery efforts. In addition to safeguarding the students and facility, there is a need to consider the psychological impact on the students and faculty. This course focuses on the broad range of issues such as natural disasters, terrorist activity, violent students, and active shooter issues on college property.

This course provides an understanding of different financial decisions that confront the intercollegiate sports industry. In addition to basic accounting skills, the course explores financial statement analysis, working capital, and budgeting.

Online Learning That’s Comprehensive and Convenient

The online education format at FDU is designed with your success in mind. When you enroll, you’ll discover a host of unique advantages to online learning. Online learning makes it possible for you to study flexibly. You’ll be able to choose when and where you want to attend class and earn your degree while keeping your commitments to work and life. You’ll also study at your own pace. An online degree gives you the opportunity to spend as much time with instructional materials as you want and adjust your degree path based on your learning needs.

Prepare for a Career Making Others’ Dreams a Reality

Careers in higher education administration student-facing positions, staff and faculty administration and executive roles. From 2020 to 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts some 14,5002 job openings each year, with an 8%2 growth in the job sector over the decade.

Average Annual Salaries with Master’s Degree3

  • Chief Academic Affairs Officer/Provost $197,162
  • Chief Student Admissions Officer $89,874
  • Chief Business Officer $187,000
  • Chief Student Financial Aid Officer $85,727
  • Chief Development or Advancement Officer $172,844
  • Chief Student Affair or Student Life Officer $150,000
  • Chief Alumni Affairs Administrator $78,766

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a center of academic excellence dedicated to the preparation of world citizens through global education. The University strives to provide students with the multi-disciplinary, intercultural, and ethical understandings necessary to participate, lead, and prosper in the global marketplace of ideas, commerce, and culture.

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Sources and Disclaimers:

  1. “Fairleigh Dickinson University,” U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com.
  2. “Postsecondary Education Administrators,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov.
  3. “Executive Level Administrator Salaries,” 2019-2020 Administrators in Higher Education Survey, The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), HigherEdJobs.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://www.higheredjobs.com.

*Students may complete an internship after completing 9 credits. Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own internships with the approval of their advisors.