Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership
Program Overview The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) offers a 36-unit Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership designed for professionals working in, or those who have a career preference for, postsecondary education. We prepare students for a wide range of postsecondary professional positions, including those in community colleges, four-year public and private colleges and universities, and student affairs positions in any postsecondary setting. To be leaders in higher education we believe that students must be exposed to relevant research, be familiar with the complexities of the postsecondary system at all levels, and be aware of contemporary issues facing leaders working in higher education. Students work closely with their adviser to design an 18-unit experience in one of three higher education strands: 1) Community College Leadership, 2) Higher Education Administration, or 3) Student Affairs. Students will begin to design their final action research project or thesis in the research course. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain practical experience at a postsecondary site of their choosing while the three elective courses chosen will also enhance this experience by providing additional opportunities to engage in theory and practice related specifically to the student’s area of interest.
Distinguishing Features • Paid Graduate Assistant opportunities for students seeking positions in Student Affairs. USD Student Affairs professionals and faculty in the Department of Leadership Studies work closely together to integrate academic coursework, current theory and research with best practices in Student Affairs. All Graduate Assistants participate in a weekly team-taught graduate seminar. • Cutting-edge and relevant leadership training for the real world. • Classroom environments that engage a broad range of human capabilities that have a transformative effect on students while enhancing leadership skills and abilities. • Development of a distinctive character and value system which emphasizes meaning, purpose, generosity, authenticity, ethical behavior and initiative taking. • Small class size and personalized attention from dedicated faculty. • Applied learning opportunities from our institutes and centers:
• Leadership Institute
• Center for Nonprofit Research
• Educational Leadership Development Academy (ELDA)
• Community College Leadership Development Initiatives (CCLDI)
• The Global Center
Program Curriculum
Admission Requirements
The SOLES faculty enrich all programs and course offerings with the values, concepts
While applicants are evaluated based on a holistic method,
and themes that will help students become ethical, civic-minded and committed
the successful candidate for the program will demonstrate
leaders in their chosen fields. The Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership
his or her candidacy in the following manner:
consists of 36 units taken in the following areas:
• Completed USD application, which can be submitted online at www.sandiego.edu/
Leadership Component (12 units ) EDLD 550
Leadership Theory and Practice
EDLD 551
H uman Relations for Leaders
EDLD 555
Leadership and Ethics
EDLD 559
Leadership and Organizational Change
3 units 3 units
Research Design and Methodology for Leaders
must submit one official sealed transcript
3 units
from every college or university attended.
3 units
Internship (3 units ) EDLD 590
• College or university transcripts. Applicants
3 units
Research Component (3 units ) EDLD 549
admissions/graduate/application.php.
• Three professional letters of recommendations from supervisors, employers, or professors. Please do not submit personal recommendations.
Leadership Internship M.A.
3 units
Higher Education Core (9 units )
• Statement of purpose. • Resume.
EDLD 571
History and Philosophy of Higher Education
3 units
EDLD 577
Higher Education Policy
3 units
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0
EDLD 565
The Dynamics of Race, Gender and Culture in Higher Education
3 units
(on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework. • Applicants at or near the minimum GPA may choose
Electives (9 units )
to submit Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
Elective course selections will be based on students’ professional goals and interests
General Test scores to strengthen their application.
and will be chosen in consultation with an adviser.
Application Deadlines:
Exit Requirement After consultation with an adviser, students may elect to complete a portfolio or action research project/thesis to fulfill their exit requirement.
Spring: November 15 Fall*: March 17 Applications received after the deadline
International Experience
will be reviewed as space permits.
All graduate students are strongly encouraged to include an International Leadership Experience within their program of study. Visit our Global Center for more information regarding our International Education Programs.
Contact Information For admissions and general program information:
For more information about the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership:
Office of Outreach and Recruitment
Beth Yemma
Phone: ( 619 ) 260-7988 E-mail: solesgrads@sandiego.edu
Assistant Director Leadership Programming Phone: ( 619 ) 260-7790 E-mail: byemma@sandiego.edu
For more information, go to www.sandiego.edu/soles/prospective.
* Students admitted for the fall semester may begin coursework the preceding summer.