Graduate Program

Applicants must:

1. Meet general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Mississippi College.
2. Provide transcripts of all university work.
3. Applicants must submit an acceptable original “Statement of Purpose” outlining their reasons for seeking the M.S. in Higher Education Administration. This essay should be focused and as specific as warranted in order to address the student’s motivations(s) in seeking this degree in higher education administration, including personal career objectives once the degree is completed. Following the Statement of Purpose, prospective students should also include professional experiences within a college or university, or within an area related to higher education, and/or student experiences which contributed to their career objectives of their desire to work within a college or university.
4. Hold Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited university or college
5. Transfer credit accepted up to 6 semester hours.

Applicants can apply online by visiting apply.mc.edu.

The program is organized in a rolling admissions format which allows students to enter during the fall, spring, or summer terms.

HED 6500

Basic Understandings in Higher Education Administration (History & Issues, 3 hrs.)
This course provides an introduction to the U.S. higher education system. The course includes a foundation in the history of higher education covering the development of curriculum, faculty, governance, finance, and outcomes in higher education.

HED 6501

Law and Higher Education (3 hrs.)
This course will introduce students to state and federal law as it applies to higher education. It will also demonstrate the law's application to various areas of decision making relating to the administration and governance of higher education.

HED 6502

Finance in Higher Education (3 hrs.)
This course includes an analysis of case law on issues of access, student rights, employment, church and state, private sector, liability, academic freedom, and civil rights. Additionally, this course examines revenue, fund raising and development, types of expenditures, tuition and financial aid policies, budgeting and accounting practices.

HED 6503

Student Development Theories/Ethics and Inquiry (3 hrs.)
The purpose of this course is to explore and understand the nature, culture, and development of college students. To that end, the course will examine a range of human development theories that offer insight into the processes of student learning, growth, and development during the college years. Special focus will be directed toward understanding the implications of these models for the policies and practices of higher education administration. In addition, the course will examine the cultural environment of the student from historical and contemporary perspectives.

HED 6504

Research - Methods and Procedures (Cross-listed with EDU 6504, 3 hrs.)
A survey of the basic research methodologies in the social and behavioral sciences with emphasis on critical reading of published research. Students conduct a meta-analysis of research literature or develop a research proposal. (Cross-listed with HSA, SOC and EDU 6504)

HED 6506

The Community College
A course designed to familiarize students with one of the largest segments of higher education.  Topics include governance, history of the community college, community college finance, rural community and economic development, and community college legal policy.

HED 6520

Basic Effective Leadership (Cross-listed with EDU 6520, 3 hrs.)
A study of the knowledge, skills, and values that are necessary to identify organizational constructs, to develop with others a vision and purpose for the organization, and to exercise leadership processes to achieve the common goals for the organization.

HED 7530

Issues and Concepts of Personnel Management in Higher Education (3 hrs.)
An in depth study of personnel management areas to include policies, organizational structures, recruitment, selection, compensation, development, evaluation, reward structures, and termination issues of an effective personnel organization, while addressing prevalent issues related to these within colleges and universities.

HED 6587 & HED 6588

Higher Education Administration Practicum I (2 hrs.) / Higher Education Administration Practicum II (2 hrs.)
Two, six-week practica are required (minimum of 60 clock hours each, 2-credit hours each). Two (2) practica may not be conducted simultaneously. Student will coordinate objectives and reporting requirements with higher education advisor and campus practicum supervisor. In approving practica areas, an effort will be made to expand the existing experiences of students. Possible practicum areas: Athletics, Development Office, academic offices, business offices, Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Student Development (Judicial), Intramurals, Enrollment Services, Career Services, Counseling and Testing, Religious programming, International program, Public Safety, or other administrative offices.

MGT 6551

Management of the Human Resource (3 hrs.)

Human resource management plays an important role in creating and sustaining a competitive advantage. This course focuses on the manager’s role in attracting, developing, and retaining talent in organizations. Contemporary issues such as HR Analytics, sexual harassment, workforce diversity, social media, organizational effectiveness, internships, ethical behavior, unions, globalization, outsourcing, occupational health, safety, and security are explored in terms of their strategic value. This course will provide the student learner with the knowledge and awareness to make key decisions necessary to address the uncertain marketplace with an ethical and Christian perspective.

Students must:

1. Maintain good standing by earning 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Good standing is required before students can apply for graduation and participate in comprehensive exams.
2. Fifty percent of all course work must be taken at the 6000-level.
3. Complete 31 hours of graduate course work as outlined in program requirements including the two practicum experiences.
4. During the final semester of coursework a candidate will complete the following requirements:
   1. Complete 27 hours of coursework in selected concentration.
   2. Complete four hours of practicum.
   3. Successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination administered by the Department in the last semester of the program.

*Students should contact Dr. Kyle Brantley and Tracy May to schedule comprehensive exams, at the beginning of their last semester.  Students should also apply for graduation at the beginning of their last semester in the program.

Two, practica involving a minimum of 60 clock hours are required (HED 6587 & 6588, 2-credit hours each). Prior to the approval and scheduling of the first practica, 9-credit hours of core courses must be completed. In addition, two (2) practica may not be conducted simultaneously. A presentation and reflective paper will complete these practica. All practica will be evaluated as pass/fail. All students will receive advisement, a Practicum Guide and other applicable forms from the program advisor/coordinator when making practicum decisions.

• Practicum Guidelines & Syllabus
• Goals & Objectives Agreement (fill in form and e-mail to Dr. Brantley at brantley@mc.edu)
• Sample Goals & Objectives Agreement
• Student Evaluation
• Supervisor Evaluation