Accelerated Online Master’s in Higher Education Administration

Essential Skills & Insights

In this accelerated online Master’s in Higher Education Administration program, you will gain the leadership, ethical, and technological skills needed to guide institutions into the future. Coursework is designed to strengthen your decision-making abilities, prepare you to serve diverse communities, and equip you with the tools to navigate today’s tech-driven higher education landscape.

• Leadership Aptitude: Develop advanced skills in analytical thinking, decision-making, and communication to lead effectively across academic and administrative settings.
• Adaptable Leadership: Cultivate a well-rounded foundation of leadership to meet the needs of diverse learning communities and evolving institutional challenges.
• Ethical Awareness: Learn to apply higher education leadership through an ethical lens, ensuring that policies and practices reflect integrity, inclusion, and equity.
• Technology Integration in Academic Administration: Modernize SIS/CRM/LMS workflows; use analytics to improve services and compliance

AI-Powered Learning, Real-World Impact

Our accelerated online programs integrate opportunities to engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool for learning and career preparation. Students apply AI in ways that build authentic skills and mirror how businesses are leveraging it across industries. We emphasize ethical and responsible use, ensuring that students develop the judgment to apply AI appropriately. This approach helps graduates enter the workforce with both technical knowledge and a clear understanding of AI’s role in their discipline.

Careers in Higher Education Administration

Colleges and universities are evolving rapidly, with greater emphasis on student success, institutional accountability, and the integration of technology across every aspect of campus life. An Online Master’s in Higher Education Administration equips graduates with the leadership, ethical awareness, and technology literacy to thrive in administrative and leadership positions across higher education.

• Student Affairs Director — Median salary: $83,000
  Oversee programs and services that support student engagement, well-being, and success. Directors of student affairs often guide initiatives in housing, student life, career services, and diversity and inclusion.
• Enrollment or Admissions Manager — Median salary: $79,440
  Lead recruitment, admissions, and retention strategies to attract and support diverse student populations. Managers apply data and analytics to shape enrollment goals and enhance the student experience.
• Operations Directors – Median salary: $102,950
  streamline processes, improve efficiency, and manage teams to deliver on business goals.

AI in Higher Education Leadership

Graduates will be prepared to harness artificial intelligence and data-driven tools to improve student services, support predictive enrollment strategies, and streamline institutional operations—ensuring they lead with both vision and adaptability in a rapidly changing academic landscape.

Admissions Requirements

For admission to your Accelerated Online MA in Higher Education Administration, simply complete the 2 step application process.

1. Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application by visiting my.lindenwood.edu/register
2. Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution(s) showing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
   
   Only transcripts with the final degree posted are required if you attended multiple institutions.
   
   Request your official transcript to be sent directly to Lindenwood University Accelerated Online via one of the methods below:
   • Electronically to: [email protected]
   • By Mail to:
     Office of Admissions
     Lindenwood University Accelerated Online
     8205 S Priest Dr #11480
     Tempe, AZ 85284
   • By Fax to: 480-393-1826

Curriculum Overview

Lindenwood University’s accelerated online MA in Higher Education Administration is designed to prepare highly skilled and knowledgeable practitioners for teaching, administrative, and managerial careers in higher education institutions. You will gain leadership, organizational, interpersonal, advocacy, and public communication skills. With the guidance of experienced faculty, you will explore the inner workings of public and private two and four-year post-secondary institutions and gain expertise in student affairs, academic administration, strategic planning, and educational policy analysis. This program will equip you to lead and manage the evolving challenges and opportunities in higher education administration in a wide variety of careers.

Major Coursework – 30 Credit Hours

Foundation courses are provided to support student readiness for MBA coursework and are required if students have not taken prior undergraduate courses:

Introduction to Higher Education Administration

Study of the historical growth and advancement of public and private colleges and universities in the United States from the earliest higher education institutions to today’s “virtual” schools. Overview of contemporary issues, policies, and practices in higher education institutions including accreditation, curriculum, financial management, and institutional planning.

Foundations of Higher Education

Study of the historical growth and advancement of public and private colleges and universities in the United States from the earliest higher education institutions to today’s “virtual” schools. Overview of contemporary issues, policies, and practices in higher education institutions including accreditation, curriculum, financial management, and institutional planning.

Governance, Management, and Administration in Higher Education

Organizational and administrative structures within the hierarchy of higher education institutions will be studied as students examine the relationship between the higher education institution and the community it serves, the role of faculty, staff, and students in academic operations and the outreach of modern institutions.

Leadership Development

In this course, students will review research about leadership with an emphasis on transformational leadership, creation and implementation of a vision; develop skills in mobilizing institutional and community organizations and constituents with an emphasis on institutional improvement.

Student Development and Student Affairs

This course examines academic support and student services focusing on admissions, enrollment, orientation, student health and counseling, and support services.

Practicum in Higher Education

This course provides students with real-life, hands-on experience in higher education. Students work in administrative and curricular offices to incorporate the knowledge and skills learned in the higher education program.

Ethical Decision-Making

In this course, students will examine decision-making strategies essential for student affairs administrators. Topics include review of national governing board ethics, challenges in decisions, and power structure.

Social Issues in Education

A review of historical and recent social issues in the United States and impact on educational systems. Issues will be examined through the eyes of marginalized populations.

Project in Higher Education

Students will choose one component of higher education, i.e., student affairs, admission and enrollment, administration, etc. to research in detail and complete a terminal project based on their research.

Writing for Research and Publication

This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the writing expectations in published educational research. Students will learn the organization, writing expectations, and citation style of APA. The instructor will present strategies for all aspects of the writing process, especially revision. Students will work in groups to peer review each other’s work and meet individually with the instructor. This course is designed to enhance graduate students’ writing skills so they are more prepared for the complex writing requirements of graduate level writing and scholarship. Locating, reading, synthesizing, and evaluating published educational research will also be reviewed. This course emphasizes writing for a specific audience. The final product of this class will be a literature review excerpt on a topic the student desires to investigate further in the certificate program or other professional writing such as a grant application.

Educational Research

This course is designed to engage practitioners in the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of educational research for use in a variety of educational practices. The student will investigate the basis of educational research, along with pertinent methods of data collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative research results. Emphasis will be placed on research problems, designs, and findings in the student’s selected area of concentration. Students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to narrow a research topic, complete accepted scholarly search strategies, identify and synthesize research articles, and correctly format a literature review using established APA guidelines.

Innovation Mindset

This course examines the role of innovation in education as a theory and a practice. Students will incorporate new educational technology tools into their learning through projects designed to foster innovative thinking and a growth mindset.

Program Length Details

Lindenwood University’s (LU) accelerated online programs offer you choice and flexibility to support your education journey. Time to complete a master’s degree can vary based on course load, transfer credits, and individual pacing. You will tailor a course schedule that keeps you in the driver’s seat.

• Transfer Credit: LU allows 9 transfer credits toward a master’s degree and you can complete your degree in as few as 21 credits.
• Accelerated Courses: LU accelerated online programs offer 10 5-week terms per year. By enrolling in two courses per term, you can potentially begin and complete your master’s degree in 8 months.
• Frequent Start Dates: LU offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin your studies when you are ready allowing you to graduate sooner.
• Personalized Degree Plan: LU academic advisors will work with you to tailor your degree plan to support your education goals while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.