Online Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs
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Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Online
The online Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MAHESA) at UofL is the perfect degree for current university or college employees and those seeking employment in higher education.
The master of arts in higher education and student affairs is for people in higher education seeking to advance their careers or those pursuing their first professional position within a postsecondary institution. This degree can give you the educational administration experience you need to prepare for leadership roles in a university setting.
This program offers three concentrations, designed to enhance current roles in higher education or prepare individuals for meaningful future careers.
- Administration concentration (30 credit hours, online)
Perfect for experienced professionals seeking to advance in higher education leadership and administration. - Sport administration concentration (30 credit hours, online)
Tailored for individuals passionate about the intersection of athletics and higher education, preparing them for impactful roles in sports leadership in higher education. - Student affairs concentration (36 credit hours, not online)
Ideal for those starting their student affairs career and seeking hands-on, practitioner-focused training. For more information about this concentration contact Jake Gross, MAHESA program director.
UofL's Online MAHESA Program
100% online, no GRE required. Apply today and start your next professional chapter in higher education!
MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs, 100% online
The Big Picture
The online MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs is designed to help higher education professionals prepare for positions of leadership and administration within a college, university or other higher education settings.
UofL’s online graduate program in higher ed is designed for professionals who want to lead, support and shape student success across today’s complex higher education landscape, as well as strategically planning for the future. Built for those already working in colleges and universities or aspiring to enter the field, the program blends theory, policy and practice to prepare graduates for impactful roles in student affairs and higher education administration.
Online MA in Higher Education Degree Highlights
- Advance your career without stepping away from your role with 100% online classes and 24/7 access to resources and tools
- Enhance and expand skills in assessment, program evaluation, leadership and compliance, campus management, organizational change, organizational improvement and project management
- Specialize your expertise with one of the concentrations available online: higher education administration or sport administration
- Learn from world-class and award-winning faculty
- Earn your degree in as little as two years (year-round students)
Skip the GRE – test scores are not required for admission for this graduate online degree.
With flexible online delivery and applied learning at its core, the program equips students to advance their careers while making a measurable difference on their physical and virtual campuses.
"I get great fulfillment out of helping other people and I feel I can best reach college students. This was the right program for me to be able to do that with my life."
Julia Parsons
Online MAHESA graduate
Prepare to make a meaningful impact on students and the institution that serves them.
How to Apply to UofL’s Online MAHESA Degree
Check out typical application deadlines for the MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs online program at UofL and prepare your application packet according to the requirements outlined below.
No GRE is required for admission for this program.
Application Deadlines
| Preferred Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Fall I | August |
| September 10 | Fall II | October |
| December 10 | Spring I | January |
| February 10 | Spring II | March |
| May 1 | Summer | May |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
How to apply for the online MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs
- Start your application for graduate admission
- Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
- Upload required materials*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292
- Create a financial plan
What are admissions requirements for the online MAHESA program?
To be considered for admission, applicants must have:
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Required application packet materials include:
- A one-page professional goals statement describing the applicant’s background and interest in this master’s program
- Two letters of recommendation
- A professional resume
*Your application portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
Online MAHESA for international students
The master of arts in higher education and student affairs online program is open to international students. If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to review these additional admission requirements for international students.
- International students will not be issued a U.S. visa, since there are no campus attendance requirements.
All courses in the program are taught 100% online, allowing you to attain the entire degree from the comfort of your home and at any time convenient for you, regardless of your current location, anywhere in the world.
For more information on the application and admission process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor through an information request.
How much it costs to earn an online MAHESA degree at UofL
Academic year tuition
$850 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted. For additional information on educational expenses and the cost of attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?
Many employers have programs available to assist their employees financially in their educational pursuits. Do not miss out on any potential opportunities. Reach out to your organization’s HR department to learn about available options.
Talk to an online enrollment counselor today to get started!
What will you learn in the online MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Online courses
This degree is a 30-credit-hour program that has the choice of two online concentrations. Courses are 100% online, asynchronous and delivered in 8-week terms, with the exception of LEAD 690 and 697 (standard term length).
- The higher education administration concentration requires completion of 24 credit hours of core courses (core consists of practice and advanced classes) and 6 credit hours of electives.
- The sport administration concentration requires completion of 27 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of electives.
The typical degree plan includes:
- Practice core courses
- Advanced core courses
- Concentration elective courses
- Administration
- Sport administration
- Exit requirement
To see all available online courses and degree requirements, please visit UofL's Academic Catalog page (select Degree Requirements tab).
Learn more about the concentrations requirements on the Academic Catalog page (select Concentration Requirements tab).
Take the next step with confidence.
Start working on your application and feel free to connect with us anytime if you have questions or need further guidance.
What can I do with a master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs?
Graduates with a master’s degree in higher education can work in a wide variety of administrative positions in virtually all departments at both public and private colleges and universities. This is also ideal for those who want to strengthen their skillset to navigate and improve higher education policies, opportunities and more. Furthermore, the median pay for post-secondary administrators is projected at $103,960 annually (bls.gov).
Graduates have pursued university positions including:
- Executive director, academic success
- Academic advisor
- Assistant director of alumni relations
- Director of financial aid
- Director of athletics
- Business affairs officer
- Instructional design and technologies manager
- Curriculum planning officer
- Dean of students
- Director of institutional research
- Grants and contracts manager
- Multicultural affairs director
- Registrar office administrator
- Title IX coordinator
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in postsecondary administration are projected to grow about 2% between 2024-2034 with over 226,000 jobs in just 2024.
Career opportunities and earnings vary based on actual job role, geographic location, prior experience and employer. These figures reflect overall industry trends and are not a guarantee of individual results.
Take the next step and prepare to build the skills today’s colleges and universities demand.
What your support network looks like
Success in a technical graduate program requires more than strong coursework – it requires the right support. From application through graduation, MAHESA students are backed by a knowledgeable team that understands the demands of working professionals. Enrollment counselors, academic advisors, program leadership staff and faculty collaborate to provide clear guidance, timely support and practical insight so you can stay focused, confident and on track throughout your degree.
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Cassie Thompson | Online Enrollment Services | online@louisville.edu | 800.871.8635 |
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JACOB GROSS | Program Director | jacob.gross@louisville.edu |
502.852.8795
|
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Sarah Schuble | Director of Graduate Student Success | sarah.schuble@louisville.edu | 502.852.1462 |
Whether you need more info or are ready to apply and need further guidance, reach out to us – we are here for you!
What else should you know?
The questions and answers below help you learn more about our program, delivery method, application and admission, internship process and options or how to succeed as an online student at UofL and beyond.
I have some credit hours from another program/university. Can the credit be transferred?
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL adviser approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the Graduate School.
I applied and was admitted to another program at UofL but now I want to switch to the online MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Do I have to complete and submit a new application packet?
Yes, you will need to complete a new application packet for the online MA in higher education and student affairs program.
I have a bachelor's degree in another content area and want to teach that area in a university or college. Will this degree give me the credential to do so?
No. This degree prepares people who want to work in university administration and does not satisfy any P-12 or postsecondary teaching certification requirement.
What are the experiential requirements for MAHESA degree?
An important part of your education as a professional in higher education is gaining practical and broad experience. Under the supervision of the course instructor and a site supervisor, you will complete a comprehensive project where you apply what you learned from your program of study.
In addition, as part of your program exit requirement, you will take a course that explores the processes of organizational improvement in higher education, the actors who contribute to such improvements and the challenges to improvement.
What is the purpose of the internship class?
The purpose of an internship is to provide you with on-site work experience in an area of college and university administration. The internship should allow you to gain new knowledge and apply program coursework to a work setting relevant to your academic and professional goals. The experience can also be helpful in pursuing a new position, advancing in your career or as professional development at your current work site.
When can I register for the internship class and do my internship?
The internship is an exit requirement for the program. You may enroll for the class as one of your last nine hours, but no sooner.
What if I work full-time and cannot take time off to do the internship?
Ideally, you would do some of the work within the office where your internship is located. If you do not currently work in a higher education setting, you should make every effort to spend a significant amount of time at the site. However, all internships are project oriented, therefore, if the instructor of the internship course approves your internship site and activities, you may do most of the work off-site. You must communicate regularly with your site supervisor regardless of where you do the work.
I already work at a university. Can I do my internship at my institution?
Yes, you can but you may NOT do your internship within your department or within the scope of your current responsibilities. Your work supervisor may not be your internship site supervisor.
When should I start planning for my internship?
Start planning your internship during the semester before you plan to take it. You should also contact the internship course instructor at about the same time to review the requirements which will assist you in making arrangements.
What are the requirements of internship site supervisors?
Internship site supervisors must have at least a Master’s degree, be willing to supervise you, evaluate you and participate in a meeting (in person or by phone for distance education students) early in the semester.
What are the requirements of the internship course?
You must complete a minimum of 105 hours, be responsible for a significant project(s), write a learning summary paper, provide reflection journal entries and respond to discussion board prompts on Blackboard. You must also receive a satisfactory evaluation by your site supervisor.
How do I find an internship site?
By this time in your master’s program, you should have a sense of a department or function in which you want to learn more. Once you have done so, start talking to prospective departments/institutions about your interests and ask if there are projects in that area that are important to them but perhaps have been on the back burner because of lack of time or staff to complete them. If there is a fit between their needs and your interests, you may have found an internship site!
What are the career options and salary ranges for graduates of this program?
- Learning to do student financial aid advising and creating a training manual for new financial aid advisors at a community college
- Conducting a study on solid waste management plans at universities to develop a proposal for a zero-waste university for a research university
- Creating a resource library on a website on transformative education for faculty professional development at a regional university
- Conducting a study to evaluate current and prospective benchmarks for an institutional research office using IPEDS and NCES data at a research university
- Reviewing best practices in leadership academies and creating a student leadership academy for student athletes at a Division I institution
- Conducting a program review for an African American male initiative program at a research university
- Developing a procedures manual by reviewing “best practices” and the policies and practices of a finance and administration department at a liberal arts institution
What are the career options and salary ranges for graduates of this program?
Professional-level positions
Professional-level positions in higher education can be across various departments of the university such as academic, student, institutional, athletic and fiscal affairs. Additional departments include facilities, I.T., research and office personnel. People pursuing professional career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $31k with a median of $61k and a maximum of $142k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Administrator positions
Administrators in higher education fall under such titles as bursar, athletics officer, alumni affairs administrator, student financial aid officer, assistant provost and more. People pursuing administrative career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $57k with a median of $137k and a maximum of $535k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Executive-level positions
Executive-level positions in higher education fall under such titles as dean, chief academic affairs officer, provost, executive vice president, vice chancellor, chief financial officer and others. People pursuing executive career options can expect to see annual salaries starting at $59k with a median of $132k and a maximum of $543k (according to HigherEdJobs.com) varying by type of institution.
Whether you need more info or are ready to apply and need further guidance, reach out to us – we are here for you!
