The Master of Arts degree in Higher Education is an advanced academic degree that builds upon an appropriate undergraduate foundation. A total of 36 semester units are required to complete this program. The curriculum for this degree links theory to practice for those who desire to work in a higher education setting.

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Higher Education program will be able to:

Equip

• Promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Transform

• Promote the success of all students by modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.

Empower

• Promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

Program Eligibility for the Master of Arts in Higher Education

• A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 is required to be admitted in the M.A. in Higher Education program. Candidates with a cumulative grade point average less than 3.000 may apply for “Admission under Exception” which is reviewed by the program director and dean;
• Two or more letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who have knowledge of the applicant’s character and ability to work with children or youth. (References from friends or relatives are not appropriate);
• A writing sample that indicates graduate-level ability; and
• An interview with the appropriate program director or Admissions chair.

Applicants who do not meet the above standards but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance may petition the School of Education to review their status.

Transfer of Credits

Up to six (6) units of approved post-baccalaureate coursework aligned with the course of study below, and unused for a previous Master’s degree, may be transferred from other institutions toward this degree. Candidates desiring to transfer coursework must petition this through their advisor during the first semester of enrollment.

The Master of Arts degrees are considered advanced degrees beyond preliminary teacher credential coursework, signified by GED/GEL course numbers.  

Required Concentration

• College Counseling and Advising
• Student Affairs

College Counseling and Advising Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
GED 6041	Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy	3
GED 6062	Counseling Theory and Techniques	3
GED 6066	Foundations of Counseling and Advising in Higher Education	3
GED 6069	Research and Evaluation of College Student Success	3
GED 6070	Applied Psychology of Learning	3
GED 6072	Philosophy in Education	3
GED 6074	Emergent Adult Development Theory	3
GED 6076	Higher Education Leadership in Student Development	3
GED 6081	Educational Measurement and Evaluation	3
GED 6171A	Research, Field Studies, and Practicum in College Counseling and Advising	1
GED 6171B	Research, Field Studies, and Practicum in College Counseling and Advising	1
GED 6171S	Seminar in College Counseling and Advising	1
Finishing Courses
GED 6094	Action Research and Capstone	3
GED 6095	Capstone Project and Presentation	3
Total Units		36

Student Affairs Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
GED 6041	Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy	3
GED 6062	Counseling Theory and Techniques	3
GED 6066	Foundations of Counseling and Advising in Higher Education	3
GED 6069	Research and Evaluation of College Student Success	3
GED 6070	Applied Psychology of Learning	3
GED 6072	Philosophy in Education	3
GED 6074	Emergent Adult Development Theory	3
GED 6076	Higher Education Leadership in Student Development	3
GED 6081	Educational Measurement and Evaluation	3
GED 6181A	Research, Field Studies, and Practicum in Student Affairs	1
GED 6181B	Research, Field Studies, and Practicum in Student Affairs	1
GED 6181S	Seminar in Student Affairs	1
Finishing Courses
GED 6094	Action Research and Capstone	3
GED 6095	Capstone Project and Presentation	3
Total Units		36

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn and receive a Master of Arts in Higher Education degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:

1. A completed Application for Degree Candidacy (online or in the Records Office, Point Loma campus); 
2. Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or higher;
3. Completion of the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 36 units;
4. A recommendation from the credential analyst and director of the branch campus;
5. All accounts paid in full; and
6. All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight (8)-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.