Higher and Postsecondary Education EdM

Master of Education in Higher & Postsecondary Education


The Master of Education Program develops breadth of understanding of higher and postsecondary education, though emphasizing particular domains of study and practice, among them, academic learning and development, organizational and institutional processes, and social/cultural and civic perspectives. Students in the Ed.M. Program typically use these offerings to elaborate and deepen their experience-based knowledge and intellectual interests in policymaking, curriculum development, student development, etc. Ed.M. students conclude their programs of study by writing an Integrative Paper focused on a particular topic of professional and personal interest and drawing on the knowledge resources availed by the three curricular domains.

Deciding between the M.A. and the Ed.M.?

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree requires a minimum of 32 credits to complete the degree. The Master of Education (Ed.M) is an advanced degree for applicants who have professional experience and would like to further their learning and research into the field of higher education. The Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree requires a minimum of 60 credits to complete the degree.

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Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.

Master of Education

  • Points/Credits: 60
  • Entry Terms: Fall Only

Application Deadlines

  • Spring: N/A
  • Summer/Fall (Priority): January 15
  • Summer/Fall (Final): April 1

Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments

Statement of Purpose

  • For more information on our application process and guidelines for the statement of purpose, please visit the Admissions website.

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

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The Ed.M. degree program requires a minimum of 60 points and an integrative paper prepared as a culminating project. 

Core courses (36 points):

  • ORL 5521 Introduction to research methods in education (3) or equivalent with advisor approval

  • ORLH 4010 Purposes and policies of higher education (3)

  • ORLH 4011 Curriculum and instruction in higher education (3)

  • ORLH 4020 College and university organization and administration (3)

  • ORLH 4031 Financial administration of higher education institutions (3)

  • ORLH 5011 College teaching and learning (3)

  • ORLH 5044 Theories of diversity in higher education (3)

  • ORLH 5526 Advanced professional seminar: The literature of higher education (3)

  • ORLH 5527 Advanced professional seminar: The college professoriate (3)

  • ORLH 5545 Advanced professional seminar: The civic mission of higher education (3)

  • ORLH 6511 Coordinating seminar in higher education (3)

  • ORLH 6900 Research and independent study in higher education or equivalent with advisor approval (3). (The integrative paper is prepared in this course.)

Remaining eight courses (24 points):

  • Five courses within the HPSE Program, with the purpose of developing a concentration in one of the curricular domains (Academic and Developmental Analysis, Organizational and Institutional Analysis, or Social/Cultural and Civic Analysis). To substitute an out-of-program course requires advance approval from the HPSE faculty advisor.

  • Three courses outside the Program, with at least two of these outside the Department of Organization and Leadership. All extra-Program courses should relate conceptually, substantively, and/or methodologically to the student's concentration and area of interest. All out-of-Program electives require advisor approval.

Changes or other adjustments to requirements and distributions, as shown for the Ed.M. in Higher and Postsecondary Education, require approval of the HPSE faculty advisor. The above plan assumes advisor approval for all courses of enrollment.

A limited number of internships may be available to Ed.M. students pending advisor consultation and approval of the Program Director. For information, please contact the Program’s Internship Coordinator.

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