Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education
In this program, you will attain foundational knowledge about today’s global higher education landscape, a sharper understanding of specific elements within the field, and the opportunity to put theory into practice and apply your skills in real-world settings. It will prepare you for entry-level and middle-management positions in student affairs and other professional areas within colleges, universities, community colleges, and policymaking organizations.
Interested in learning more about the program?
Schedule a time to meet with Laura De Veau, Visiting Asst. Professor.
The graduate-level study of higher education has a long and notable history at Boston College. In 1963, the University became one of the first institutions in the country to open a Center for the Study of Higher Education, which was intended to represent Catholic colleges and universities in the emerging field of higher education research. In its early years, the organization hosted institutes on contemporary issues in higher education, engaged in research on the fortunes of Catholic colleges and universities, and offered doctoral-level coursework for students pursuing careers in higher education. In 1968, the center was converted into a doctoral program in higher education and, several years later, Boston College launched a master’s degree program in higher education. The M.A. program quickly distinguished itself among the best of its kind in the U.S. With the establishment of the world-renowned Center for International Higher Education in 1995, Boston College also set itself apart from other American universities offering M.A. programs in Higher Education, by integrating a global perspective on higher education into the curriculum. Our global outlook, our strong Jesuit tradition and our longevity and reputation set us apart and are a clear benefit to both our students and our alumni.
The program sets formal outcomes and core professional competencies. These outcomes reflect recognized nationally professional standards and proficiencies. These include:
- advising and helping; assessment, evaluation, and research; equity, diversity, and inclusion;
- ethical practice; history and philosophy; law, policy, and governance; and student development.
Students must demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the important issues facing higher education
- Knowledge of foundational, methodological and concentration content
- Demonstrated competence in communication skills, cooperation and teamwork, work quality and quantity, and job knowledge as assessed in the Field Experience Performance Review and Development Plan.
- Demonstrated competence in core areas:
- Values, philosophy & history
- Personal and ethical foundations
- Social justice and inclusion
- Global and intercultural engagement
- Additional core competencies in the area of concentration
Offered exclusively to current and incoming students in the M.A. in Higher Education program, our Higher Education Graduate Assistantships provide you with valuable experience and opportunities to reduce your financial burden as you apply your classroom instruction skills in the workplace. As a graduate assistant within one of several offices at Boston College, you can earn up to 15 credits worth of tuition remission and a stipend to support your studies. Interviews for these positions begin in February at Higher Education Interview Days and hiring continues through the summer for many positions.
What makes the Higher Education program at BC unique?
As a student in this program, you’ll have the option to choose from among four distinct Higher Education concentrations: Administration; Student Affairs; International Perspectives; and Spirituality, Faith, and Formation.
- The Student Affairs concentration focuses on the foundations of higher education and the skills and experience you’ll need to thrive within a student affairs office.
- The Administration concentration centers on law, policy, and administration, preparing you for careers within colleges and universities as well as education policy and advocacy organizations.
- The International Perspectives (International Higher Education or International Education) concentration focuses on internationalization and globalization and prepares you to work in internationally focused positions within U.S. institutions or around the world.
- The Spirituality, Faith, and Formation concentration is designed to foster an understanding of higher education administration within Catholic colleges and universities.
Each concentration requires a yearlong field experience that links theory and practice and is inspired by Boston College’s social justice mission.
With faculty from the world-renowned Center for International Higher Education teaching in the program, BC’s Higher Education program is truly global in its outlook, which allows all students – including those not in the “International Perspectives” track – to gain a deeper understanding of the international aspects of contemporary higher education.
Is there a capstone to the program?
To ensure that all students graduating from the master's program possess a fundamental understanding of their field, they must complete a Comprehensive Capstone Portfolio (CCP). The CCP aims to showcase students'; substantive and integrative knowledge of higher education and its professional literature, reflecting their knowledge base and accomplishments aligned with the Higher Education program's core professional competency requirements. Each student's CCP comprises a resume, four narrative core-competency assessments with accompanying artifacts, one narrative professional competency of their choice from their program concentration, and a professional philosophy statement. Throughout their program, students collaborate with their Faculty Advisor to develop the Comprehensive Capstone Portfolio and submit it for review in the semester of their intended graduation. Enrollment in ELHE8100 is mandatory for students planning to graduate, and submission of the CCP is a prerequisite. If a student is scheduled to graduate in December, they are required to register for ELHE8100 Masters Comprehensive Examination in the Fall semester. If a student is scheduled to graduate in May, they are required to register for ELHE8100 Masters Comprehensive Examination in the Spring Semester.
Is an assistantship or field experience placement required during my program of study?
Students, regardless of previous full-time higher education employment, are required to take the Field Experience course. Field Experience is a year long experience where students take 2 credits in the fall semester, and one credit in the spring semester. This yearlong course requires a commitment of 10–12 hours at your field experience placement per week. The field experience requires supervised work (graduate assistantship or internship) in a higher education institution or agency and participation in an internship seminar. Field work is overseen by program faculty and supervised by a professional administrator at the graduate assistantship or internship site. The Field Work in Higher Education seminar requires demonstrated knowledge of the Higher Education program core competencies as they are practiced in a particular area of administrative expertise and demonstrated knowledge of professional skills development related to theory and research in higher education. The spring semester experience is taken under Advanced Field Experience.Field Experience is a core requirement and cannot be waived or replaced by another course. Dual-degree students should consult their Faculty Advisor regarding field experience requirements.
How are students selected for their field experience placements?
Students often use their assistantships as their field experience placement. That process starts in February each year after admission decisions are released and continues through the summer.
Higher Education Graduate Assistantships
May I work full time while enrolled in the master’s program?
Yes. Some students choose to work full time during their program, taking one to two courses per semester. All students must complete the program within five years.
If I cannot attend one of the Admission Open Houses, may I schedule an individual visit?
We do not require interviews for admission to the program, but you are welcome to schedule a remote or in-person visit, pending state and local health regulations regarding COVID-19. Please email elhe@bc.edu to schedule your visit, or see our listings of upcoming virtual events. Our faculty can also respond to your questions via email. Please see the faculty profiles below for contact information.
What kind of financial assistance is available?
Approximately 75 percent of our full-time students receive partial or full tuition remission and/or a stipend through a graduate assistantship, either within a BC office or off campus. Assistantships range in position and compensation, and some include room, board, or both. Please email gsoe@bc.edu with questions about financial aid.
Higher Education Graduate Assistantships
What is the best way to locate off-campus housing?
The Office of Residential Life manages the University’s off-campus student housing program, and sponsors programs that serve the needs of all students. You may also learn about potential living situations and roommates when you connect with current and prospective students via social media or during our program’s Interview Days.
Boston College Off-Campus Housing
How do I check the status of my application?
How may I obtain more information about the Higher Education program?
Please contact the Higher Education program at elhe@bc.edu with additional questions.
At a Glance
Customize Your Higher Ed Degree
Curriculum
Depending on your interests and career goals, you can create a customized graduate degree by choosing from four distinct concentrations: Administration; Student Affairs; International Perspectives; and Spirituality, Faith, and Formation.
Requirements
- Courses: 10
- Credits: 30
- Comprehensive Exam
Student Affairs Concentration
This concentration prepares you to work as a professional in functional areas of student affairs such as student activities, residence life, admissions, service learning, orientation, career services, and academic advising. You will gain an understanding of the foundations of higher education and student affairs and learn to link theory and practice through class projects and field experience.
Print
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7404 | College Student Development An intensive introduction to student development, this course focuses on interdisciplinary theories of intellectual and psychosocial change among late adolescent and adult learners in post-secondary education. Research on student outcomes is also covered. Special attention is paid to the implications of ethnicity, age, gender, and other individual differences for the development of students. | 3 |
| ELHE7101 | Higher Education in American Society An introduction to higher education in America, this course focuses on the complex relationships between colleges and universities, and the political and social systems of society. This analysis includes a historical perspective on the evolution of American higher education, and especially the development of the contemporary university since the beginning of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to the impact of federal and state governments on higher education; the role of research in the university; issues of accountability, autonomy, and academic freedom; the academic profession, student politics and culture; affirmative action issues; and others. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7405 | Assessment in Student Affairs The purpose of this course is to introduce students to aspects of student affairs assessment including: 1) understanding different approaches to assessment, 2) choosing appropriate research designs and methods, and 3) following professional standards and guidelines. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7606 | Diversity in Higher Education The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to examine the theoretical scholarship and empirical research on race, class, and gender in American higher education. The course readings are interdisciplinary in nature and require students to identify research claims and their relationship to higher education practice and policy in the U.S. The course explores such issues as admissions and affirmative action policy, sexual harassment, access, and financial aid practices. | 3 |
| ELHE7603 | Internationalization of Higher Education Higher education around the world today is increasingly affected by the forces of internationalization. Professionals working in postsecondary education in the United States and elsewhere must have a clear understanding of the range of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolution of this phenomenon. This course has two main objectives. The first is to introduce students to the central issues relevant to the international dimension of higher education in different national contexts. The second objective is to promote students' understanding of the practical implications of internationalization for their own work in higher education administration and/or policy-making contexts. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7403 | Counseling Techniques in Higher Education, Communities, and Other Educational Settings Provides an introduction to theoretically-based counseling skills for professionals in higher education and other education and community settings. The areas of communications skills involving the use of role-playing, observation, and practice components are emphasized. Postsecondary case studies cover a range of counseling issues and are applicable to a wide range of settings involving late adolescents and adults. | 3 |
| ELHE7401 | Student Affairs Administration Student affairs professionals in post-secondary institutions contribute to student learning and personal development through a variety of programs and services. This course focuses on the design of campus environments that promote student development and contribute to the academic mission of higher education. Special attention will be given to the history, philosophy, and ethical standards of the student affairs profession, and to the relation of theory to contemporary student affairs practice. In addition, the course will examine how changing forces in the demographic, social, legal, and technological environment of higher education affect fundamental issues in professional practice. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below:
| ELHE7805 | Global Perspectives on Student Affairs in Higher Education In this course students will explore the realities of the student experience around the world, and the ways in which higher education institutions and systems endeavor to understand and respond to them. The course will examine conceptual and practical, historical and contemporary approaches to student affairs. Critical analysis of the similarities and differences in approaches to student affairs across the world will provide students with insights into the relationship between theory and practice in the field. | 3 |
ELHE7402 | College Student Experience This course explores the ways in which the higher education community has addressed three basic questions: Who goes to college? What sorts of experiences do students have in college? And, as a consequence of their experiences, who do they become by graduation? The course will familiarize students with the nature and characteristics of the college student population in American higher education, the variety of research methods used to study college students, and some of the many effects and outcomes of college student experiences. | 3 |
Students will choose 2 electives (3 credits each) with the support of their advisor.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7901 | Field Experience in Higher Education This course provides the framework for the field experience requirement (ELHE7903) and helps students prepare for their project. | 2 |
| ELHE7902 | Advanced Field Experience in Higher Education This course--provides a framework for a "real world" experience for students interested in international higher education, in combination with an in-depth research project. This combination of practical experience with research gives students an appreciation for the ways that the daily work of different kinds of organizations--higher education institutions, individual programs and offices, policymaking organizations, governmental units, and professional associations--are framed by questions and concerns that require the ability to undertake a significant exploration of information and ideas in order to inform practice. | 1 |
| ELHE8100 | Master's Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to take a written comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. The goal of the exam is for the student to demonstrate their substantive and integrative knowledge of higher education and its professional literature in coherent essays. | 0 |
International Perspectives Concentration
Affiliated with the world-renowned Center for International Higher Education, this concentration prepares you to work in internationally-focused positions within U.S. institutions or around the world. You will gain an in-depth understanding of internationalization and other impacts of globalization on higher education, as well an appreciation of the diverse ways that higher education is understood and organized around the world.
Print
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7202 | Global and Comparative Systems of Higher Education Colleges and universities are part of an international system of post-secondary education. This course offers a perspective on the organization and structure of higher education worldwide, as well as an analysis of central issues affecting academe internationally. Examples from other countries are related to the American context. Among the topics considered are global trends in the expansion and organization of higher education, international study and its impact, the political role of universities, student activism, the role and status of the academic profession, styles of academic leadership in other countries, and others. | 3 |
| ELHE7101 | Higher Education in American Society An introduction to higher education in America, this course focuses on the complex relationships between colleges and universities, and the political and social systems of society. This analysis includes a historical perspective on the evolution of American higher education, and especially the development of the contemporary university since the beginning of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to the impact of federal and state governments on higher education; the role of research in the university; issues of accountability, autonomy, and academic freedom; the academic profession, student politics and culture; affirmative action issues; and others. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7405 | Assessment in Student Affairs The purpose of this course is to introduce students to aspects of student affairs assessment including: 1) understanding different approaches to assessment, 2) choosing appropriate research designs and methods, and 3) following professional standards and guidelines. | 3 |
| ELHE7460 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. | 3 |
| APSY7468 | Introductory Statistics An introduction to descriptive statistics. Topics include methods of data summarization and presentation; measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression; the normal distribution; probability; and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Provides computer instruction on PC and Mac platforms and in the SPSS statistical package. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7606 | Diversity in Higher Education: Race, Class and Gender The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to examine the theoretical scholarship and empirical research on race, class, and gender in American higher education. The course readings are interdisciplinary in nature and require students to identify research claims and their relationship to higher education practice and policy in the U.S. The course explores such issues as admissions and affirmative action policy, sexual harassment, access, and financial aid practices. | 3 |
| ELHE7608 | Gender and Higher Education Topics include the history of women in higher education, gender and student development, gender and learning, the campus and classroom climate for women, women's studies and feminist pedagogy, women in post-secondary administration and teaching, and the interrelation of race, class, sexuality, and gender. Contemporary theory, research, and critical issues will be considered as they apply to diverse groups of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administrators, and student affairs practitioners. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7603 | Internationalization of Higher Education Higher education around the world today is increasingly affected by the forces of internationalization. Professionals working in postsecondary education in the United States and elsewhere must have a clear understanding of the range of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolution of this phenomenon. This course has two main objectives. The first is to introduce students to the central issues relevant to the international dimension of higher education in different national contexts. The second objective is to promote students' understanding of the practical implications of internationalization for their own work in higher education administration and/or policy-making contexts. | 3 |
| ELHE7803 | Global Perspectives on Academic Affairs in Higher Education Whether you are an administrator, policy maker, faculty, or researcher, all professionals in roles related to higher education are educators. To be a positive agent in the education venture is to ensure learning that is meaningful, empowering, and just--for students, colleagues, and external stakeholders. In this course--we strive to understand the contours of learning, teaching, and curriculum with a critical lens and from an international perspective, through an exploration of key trends and relevant issues in higher education institutions and systems around the world. | 3 |
| ELHE7805 | Global Perspectives on Student Affairs in Higher Education In this course students will explore the realities of the student experience around the world, and the ways in which higher education institutions and systems endeavor to understand and respond to them. The course will examine conceptual and practical, historical and contemporary approaches to student affairs. Critical analysis of the similarities and differences in approaches to student affairs across the world will provide students with insights into the relationship between theory and practice in the field. | 3 |
Students will choose 2 electives (3 credits each) with the support of their advisor.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7901 | Field Experience in Higher Education This course provides the framework for the field experience requirement (ELHE7903) and helps students prepare for their project. | 2 |
| ELHE7902 | Advanced Field Experience in Higher Education This course provides a framework for a "real world" experience for students interested in international higher education, in combination with an in-depth research project. This combination of practical experience with research gives students an appreciation for the ways that the daily work of different kinds of organizations—higher education institutions, individual programs and offices, policymaking organizations, governmental units, and professional associations—are framed by questions and concerns that require the ability to undertake a significant exploration of information and ideas in order to inform practice. | 1 |
| ELHE8100 | Master's Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to take a written comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. The goal of the exam is for the student to demonstrate their substantive and integrative knowledge of higher education and its professional literature in coherent essays. | 0 |
Administration Concentration
This concentration prepares you to work as a professional within college and university offices, policy organizations, and advocacy organizations. You will gain an understanding of the foundations of higher education with a focus on law, policy, and administration, and you will link theory and practice through your field experience.
Print
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7103 | Education Law and Policy This course addresses the political and legal aspects of the role of education in our democratic society. Provides an introductory survey of public policy issues and laws governing preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education. Included are such topics as religious freedom, free speech, and due process; the liability of educational institutions and educators; the legal distinctions between private and public institutions; student and parent privacy rights; disability rights; and the promotion of educational equity among all groups regardless of gender, sexual orientation, language, race, religion, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. | 3 |
| ELHE7101 | Higher Education in American Society An introduction to higher education in America, this course focuses on the complex relationships between colleges and universities, and the political and social systems of society. This analysis includes a historical perspective on the evolution of American higher education, and especially the development of the contemporary university since the beginning of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to the impact of federal and state governments on higher education; the role of research in the university; issues of accountability, autonomy, and academic freedom; the academic profession, student politics and culture; affirmative action issues; and others. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7405 | Assessment in Student Affairs The purpose of this course is to introduce students to aspects of student affairs assessment including: 1) understanding different approaches to assessment, 2) choosing appropriate research designs and methods, and 3) following professional standards and guidelines. | 3 |
| MESA6460 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. | 3 |
| MESA7466 | Evaluation Practice and Methods This course introduces the process of conducting evaluations from beginning to end. Evaluation is a form of applied social science research focused on systematically assessing the value--merit, worth, or significance--of interventions. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to evaluation, this course draws on scholarly articles and examples from multiple fields including education, public health, social services, and international development and addressing evaluation at various scales including program, organizational, and systems-level evaluations. By the end of the course, students will gain knowledge of how to carry out evaluations; apply this knowledge to develop evaluation plans for real-world interventions; and gain skills to critique existing evaluations supporting their development as informed, critical consumers of evaluations. | 3 |
| MESA6468 | Introductory Statistics An introduction to descriptive statistics. Topics include methods of data summarization and presentation; measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression; the normal distribution; probability; and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Provides computer instruction on PC and Mac platforms and in the SPSS statistical package. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7606 | Diversity in Higher Education The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to examine the theoretical scholarship and empirical research on race, class, and gender in American higher education. The course readings are interdisciplinary in nature and require students to identify research claims and their relationship to higher education practice and policy in the U.S. The course explores such issues as admissions and affirmative action policy, sexual harassment, access, and financial aid practices. | 3 |
| ELHE7603 | Internationalization of Higher Education Higher education around the world today is increasingly affected by the forces of internationalization. Professionals working in postsecondary education in the United States and elsewhere must have a clear understanding of the range of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolution of this phenomenon. This course has two main objectives. The first is to introduce students to the central issues relevant to the international dimension of higher education in different national contexts. The second objective is to promote students' understanding of the practical implications of internationalization for their own work in higher education administration and/or policy-making contexts. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7301 | Organization and Administration of Higher Education Focuses on how the American university is organized and governed. Examines basic elements as well as structure and process of the American university. Considers such topics as models of governance, locus of control, leadership, and strategic environments for the American university. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below:
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
ELHE7303 | Financial Management in Higher Education This course strives to provide a comprehensive introduction to modern day financial management theories and techniques in higher education. A specific focus will be placed on real life context and practical application across a broad range of specialized topics including: endowment management, fundraising, budgeting, long range planning, debt management, financial statement analysis, cash management, resource allocation and risk management. These topics will be examined through the lens of the recent economic downturn, which has structurally changed the financial and economic landscape of higher education. The tradeoff between risk and return will serve as a common framework for class discussions. | 3 |
| ELHE7806 | Global Perspectives on Higher Education Economics and Finance This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the complexities of higher education financing, through a comparative and international perspective. The course analyses the rising cost of higher education and how this has led to different financing schemes in different national contexts. Students will learn about the different issues directly from experts and case studies, and get to reflect on their own experience at the national and institutional levels. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below:
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7804 | Global Perspectives on Higher Education Leadership This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of contemporary higher education leadership and management, and to examine these issues from a comparative and international perspective. Strong emphasis is placed on the global context and appreciating how different national contexts and issues impact and affect higher education. Students learn about different issues and experiences directly from leaders, practitioners, and case studies, and are encouraged to draw upon their own experiences - as university administrators, policy makers, faculty or researchers - at the country and institutional level. | 3 |
| ELHE7803 | Global Perspectives on Academic Affairs in Higher Education Whether you are an administrator, policy maker, faculty, or researcher, all professionals in roles related to higher education are educators. To be a positive agent in the education venture is to ensure learning that is meaningful, empowering, and just--for students, colleagues, and external stakeholders. In this course--we strive to understand the contours of learning, teaching, and curriculum with a critical lens and from an international perspective, through an exploration of key trends and relevant issues in higher education institutions and systems around the world. | 3 |
ELHE7605 | Public Policy, Politics and Higher Education This course will examine how policy design, policy contexts, and dynamic processes in higher education work. It focuses on several contemporary public policy issues in higher education such as unequal access to higher education, affirmative action in higher education, federal funding of scientific research, and others. | 3 |
Students will choose 2 electives (3 credits each) with the support of their advisor.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7901 | Field Experience in Higher Education This course provides the framework for the field experience requirement (ELHE7903) and helps students prepare for their project. | 2 |
| ELHE7902 | Advanced Field Experience in Higher Education This course--provides a framework for a "real world" experience for students interested in international higher education, in combination with an in-depth research project. This combination of practical experience with research gives students an appreciation for the ways that the daily work of different kinds of organizations--higher education institutions, individual programs and offices, policymaking organizations, governmental units, and professional associations--are framed by questions and concerns that require the ability to undertake a significant exploration of information and ideas in order to inform practice. | 1 |
| ELHE8100 | Master's Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to take a written comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. The goal of the exam is for the student to demonstrate their substantive and integrative knowledge of higher education and its professional literature in coherent essays. | 0 |
Spirituality, Faith, and Formation Concentration
As the top-ranked Catholic graduate school of education in the country, the Lynch School offers the only master's degree in higher education that prepares you to shape the policies, practices, and intellectual life of Catholic colleges and universities while supporting the continuing formation of diverse groups of students. This concentration integrates theories of student development with the sociology of religion, institutional culture, leadership formation, policy development, and theology within a Catholic higher education setting.
Print
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7503 | Catholic Higher Education This course offers an historical and philosophical overview of Catholic higher education, a survey of current scholarship and related Church documents, and an examination of the role of Catholic higher education - particularly in the U.S. - and its relationship with the Church, contemporary academic culture, and the broader society. This course also engages students in an analysis of contemporary issues facing Catholic higher education particularly, faith and reason, the Catholic intellectual tradition, Catholic social thought, governance and leadership models, student development, and institutional mission, identity, and culture. | 3 |
| ELHE7101 | Higher Education in American Society An introduction to higher education in America, this course focuses on the complex relationships between colleges and universities, and the political and social systems of society. This analysis includes a historical perspective on the evolution of American higher education, and especially the development of the contemporary university since the beginning of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to the impact of federal and state governments on higher education; the role of research in the university; issues of accountability, autonomy, and academic freedom; the academic profession, student politics and culture; affirmative action issues; and others. | 3 |
| ELHE7504 | Religion and Higher Education Over the last decade faith, religion and spirituality have become topics of increasing interest for scholars and practitioners in higher education administration and student personnel development. This course explores the historical, sociological and cultural dynamics between religion and higher education. After preliminary discussion of the nature of education and religion, we examine from historical and contemporary approaches an understanding of church-related higher education in the U.S. as well as consider the role and place of religion in the academy at large. Topics include secularism, modernity, and challenges to the integration of faith and intellectual life. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7405 | Assessment in Student Affairs The purpose of this course is to introduce students to aspects of student affairs assessment including: 1) understanding different approaches to assessment, 2) choosing appropriate research designs and methods, and 3) following professional standards and guidelines. | 3 |
| MESA6460 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. | 3 |
| MESA6468 | Introductory Statistics An introduction to descriptive statistics. Topics include methods of data summarization and presentation; measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression; the normal distribution; probability; and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Provides computer instruction on PC and Mac platforms and in the SPSS statistical package. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7606 | Diversity in Higher Education: Race, Class and Gender The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to examine the theoretical scholarship and empirical research on race, class, and gender in American higher education. The course readings are interdisciplinary in nature and require students to identify research claims and their relationship to higher education practice and policy in the U.S. The course explores such issues as admissions and affirmative action policy, sexual harassment, access, and financial aid practices. | 3 |
| ELHE7603 | Internationalization of Higher Education Higher education around the world today is increasingly affected by the forces of internationalization. Professionals working in postsecondary education in the United States and elsewhere must have a clear understanding of the range of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolution of this phenomenon. This course has two main objectives. The first is to introduce students to the central issues relevant to the international dimension of higher education in different national contexts. The second objective is to promote students' understanding of the practical implications of internationalization for their own work in higher education administration and/or policy-making contexts. | 3 |
Students will choose 3 courses from the options listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7401 | Student Affairs Administration Student affairs professionals in post-secondary institutions contribute to student learning and personal development through a variety of programs and services. This course focuses on the design of campus environments that promote student development and contribute to the academic mission of higher education. Special attention will be given to the history, philosophy, and ethical standards of the student affairs profession, and to the relation of theory to contemporary student affairs practice. In addition, the course will examine how changing forces in the demographic, social, legal, and technological environment of higher education affect fundamental issues in professional practice. | 3 |
| ELHE7402 | College Student Experience This course explores the ways in which the higher education community has addressed three basic questions: Who goes to college? What sorts of experiences do students have in college? And, as a consequence of their experiences, who do they become by graduation? The course will familiarize students with the nature and characteristics of the college student population in American higher education, the variety of research methods used to study college students, and some of the many effects and outcomes of college student experiences. | 3 |
| TMPS7041 | The Practice of Ministry with Youth & Young Adults This course aims to explore elements critical to the effective practice of ministry for and with youth and young adults. Considering the broad demographics herein, this class attends to fostering the skills of discernment and mentoring, which would be valuable across the spectrum of these varied constituencies and contexts. Together the class explores the contexts of the ministry (ecclesial and social), identifies a vision for the work, and considers how that vision might assist in discerning God's action in and direction for work with youth and young adults. | 3 |
| TMPS7090 | Ministry in a Diverse Church Catholicism in the United States is presently shaped by rich cultural traditions that demand creative approaches to ministry in the midst of diversity. Nearly 45% of all Catholics in the country are Hispanic, 40% Euro-American, 4% Asian-American, 3.7% African-American, among others. Students in this course explore key questions and discuss ministerial strategies that will help them develop cultural competencies for effective ministry today. The course builds on the U.S. Latino/a Catholic experience as a case study while addressing core issues in ministry that affect everyone in the Church. Ecumenical and international perspectives are welcomed into this conversation. | 3 |
| TMPS7020 | The Church The ecclesial dimension of Christian faith is the focal point of this course. The course will locate the church within both a Trinitarian theology and a theological anthropology. Specific topics for exploration include the place of the church in the Creed, the sacramentality of the church, a theology of mission, and of structure and authority. The course will also explore current issues shaping the church's life and its place in the wider culture. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 of the courses listed below.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7103 | Education Law & Policy This course addresses the political and legal aspects of the role of education in our democratic society. Provides an introductory survey of public policy issues and laws governing preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education. Included are such topics as religious freedom, free speech, and due process; the liability of educational institutions and educators; the legal distinctions between private and public institutions; student and parent privacy rights; disability rights; and the promotion of educational equity among all groups regardless of gender, sexual orientation, language, race, religion, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. | 3 |
| ELHE7201 | Philosophy of Education This course follows the historical issues of universities as educational institutions, providing basis for discussion on crucial questions regarding the lives and personal growth of students and faculty alike. This course is organized in such a way as to enable us address and discuss the dialectics of freedom hidden under the process of education. The class investigates a number of conflicting positions about freedom in education and explores philosophical resources to help us to understand the nature of these issues more fully. | 3 |
| ELHE7202 | Global and Comparative Systems in Higher Education This course offers a perspective on the organization and structure of higher education worldwide, as well as an analysis of central issues affecting academe internationally. Examples from other countries are related to the American context. Among the topics considered are global trends in the expansion and organization of higher education, international study and its impact, the political role of universities, student activism, the role and status of the academic profession, styles of academic leadership in other countries, and others. | 3 |
| ELHE7301 | Organization and Administration in Higher Education Focuses on how the American university is organized and governed. Examines basic elements as well as structure and process of the American university. Considers such topics as models of governance, locus of control, leadership, and strategic environments for the American university. | 3 |
| ELHE7404 | College Student Development An intensive introduction to student development, this course focuses on interdisciplinary theories of intellectual and psychosocial change among late adolescent and adult learners in post-secondary education. Research on student outcomes is also covered. Special attention is paid to the implications of ethnicity, age, gender, and other individual differences for the development of students. | 3 |
| ELHE7608 | Gender Issues in Higher Education Topics include the history of women in higher education, gender and student development, gender and learning, the campus and classroom climate for women, women's studies and feminist pedagogy, women in post-secondary administration and teaching, and the interrelation of race, class, sexuality, and gender. Contemporary theory, research, and critical issues will be considered as they apply to diverse groups of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administrators, and student affairs practitioners. | 3 |
| EDUC9803 | History of Education This course critically examining the history of education for the purpose of discovering how historical themes affect contemporary education and society generally, as well as you practitioners. With these goals in mind, we will explore philosophical roots, key historical and social events that shaped the field, and current conceptualizations of education. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7901 | Field Experience in Higher Education This course provides the framework for the field experience requirement (ELHE7903) and helps students prepare for their project. | 2 |
| ELHE7902 | Advanced Field Experience in Higher Education This course--provides a framework for a "real world" experience for students interested in international higher education, in combination with an in-depth research project. This combination of practical experience with research gives students an appreciation for the ways that the daily work of different kinds of organizations--higher education institutions, individual programs and offices, policymaking organizations, governmental units, and professional associations--are framed by questions and concerns that require the ability to undertake a significant exploration of information and ideas in order to inform practice. | 1 |
| ELHE8100 | Master's Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to take a written comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. The goal of the exam is for the student to demonstrate their substantive and integrative knowledge of higher education and its professional literature in coherent essays. | 0 |
M.A. in International Higher Education (Boston College) /M.A. in International Higher Education (Universidad de Guadalajara)
This joint-degree program offers students bilingual in Spanish and English the opportunity to take courses at Boston College and at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second oldest and largest university. Students take courses in person at both universities and also have online options, gaining a global understanding of higher education trends and challenges with a specific emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean contexts.
J.D. in Law/M.A. or M.Ed. in Education
Offered in conjunction with the Boston College Law School, these law and education dual-degree programs prepare students to act as advocates in a variety of careers, including as policymakers, education leaders, policy analysts, teachers, and attorneys representing students, families, educators, or educational institutions. You’ll have access to leading experts and field-based learning experiences, allowing you to acquire vital skills.
M.A. / M.B.A. / Higher Education / Business Administration
Offered in conjunction with the Boston College Carroll School of Management, this dual-degree program prepares students to assume leadership positions in areas like financial management, resource planning, and technology management in universities and policymaking organizations. You’ll apply your skills in educational management during field experiences and supplement requiredcoursework with electives that complement your career interests.
Our Students & Alumni
100%
Of Assistantships Are Paid
70
Assistantships Posted Annually
69%
Located at Boston College
Assistantships are available at various Boston-area campuses, including:
- Bentley University
- Boston University
- College of the Holy Cross
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tuition Remission Breakdown
The majority of assistantships at Boston College offer full or partial tuition remission. All assistantships are paid.
Values represent percentages.
Possible Additional Compensation
Roles
- College President
- Resident Director
- Education Attorney
- Communications Coordinator
- Admission Counselor
- Career Consultant
- Policy Analyst
- International Services Specialist
- Study Abroad Advisor
- Director of Enrollment Marketing
Organizations
- Merrimack College
- The Legal Aid Society
- Princeton University
- Fordham University
- University of Connecticut
- Kyung Hee University
- MCPHS University
- Brown University
- University of Miami
- Elms College
Tuition & Aid
Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $11.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable.
Application & Deadlines
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.
Fall 2025
- Priority Deadline - December 1*
- Rolling Admission - Until July 15
*In order to participate in the February admitted student Interview Days programming, applicants must apply by the priority deadline.
Résumé
To be uploaded to your online application.
In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online application.
In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.
Transcripts
Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.
Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.
Standardized Tests
GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.
Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.
Writing Sample
Not required.
International Students
Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.
Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.