In the higher education master's program, we develop professionals who work to improve the effectiveness of higher education. This is accomplished by studying the historical, theoretical and philosophical aspects of the field and learning how to apply these aspects in practice.

Graduate opportunities

We provide coursework and practical experience opportunities leading to a Master of Education degree in Higher Education. The degree prepares you for entry-level and mid-level administrative positions in colleges and universities that include, but are not limited to:

  • Academic advising
  • Alumni affairs
  • Career advising
  • Diversity programs and services
  • Greek life
  • Student housing and residence life
  • Student unions and student activities

Our curriculum focuses on higher education theory and practice. Specializations are available in student affairs administration, community college leadership and general administration.

A unique program feature is the Master's Cohort in College Student Personnel. Each academic year, a cohort of 12 to 15 students is selected to take courses on a full-time basis while working in a graduate assistantship in UNT's Division of Student Affairs. This cohort format, which lasts two years, is offered in addition to our standard master's program.

Outstanding faculty

Our faculty members have published more than two dozen books, monographs and book chapters and more than 100 refereed journal articles. Their research areas include leadership in higher education, higher education policy and finance, access and equity, institutional effectiveness, professoriate, student affairs and student development. They also have:

  • Generated more than $2 million in grants from federal, state and private foundations
  • Presented numerous papers at national and international professional meetings and conferences
  • Served as editors or editorial board members for the Journal of College Student Development, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Journal of College and Character, Journal of American Indian Education, Journal of Student-Centered Learning, Journal of Distance Learning Administration, and Journal of the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition

Research centers and opportunities

The Bill J. Priest Center for Community College Education supports research in the field of community college education and prepares students for leadership positions in community colleges. The center also houses the Council for the Study of Community Colleges.

The Higher Education Development Initiative explores the impact of trends and legislation on higher education domestically and internationally. Participants collaborate in research and higher education development in underserved regions and countries with other governmental and private agencies.

Attending UNT

Admission criteria

The program's admissions committee uses a holistic review process and considers the following criteria:

  • Acceptable undergraduate GPA
  • Clarity and fit of the applicant's career objectives
  • GRE or GMAT scores; waived with a GPA of 3.3 or higher
  • Quality of the admissions essay
  • Strength of the professional/educational references

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's program requires applying to the Toulouse Graduate School® and sending three recommendation forms to the higher education program office. The graduate school's specific admission requirements are outlined in the catalog or on the graduate school website.

The recommendation forms are available from the program office and, when completed, should be sent to:

UNT Higher Education Program
c/o Master's Admissions Coordinator
1155 Union Circle #310829
Denton, TX 76203-5017

All applicants are automatically considered for the standard program unless otherwise noted on the online application.

International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency if English isn't your native language. For more information about international admissions, visit the Division of International Affairs website.

Admission Deadlines

Deadlines vary by standard or cohort format. Applications for the cohort format are reviewed once a year. The deadlines are:

Cohort

Feb. 17 for fall enrollment

Standard

The standard and online program have no admission deadline as files are reviewed as completed.

Degree Requirements

Master of Education degree

  • 15 credit hours of higher education core courses
  • 12 credit hours of higher education specialization courses
  • 6 credit hours of an internship or 3 credit hours of a field problem
  • 3 credit hours of a statistics course

You must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA to earn the degree. The student affairs track meets the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education's requirements for graduate programs in student affairs.

Financial Assistance

Scholarships funded by the department, the College of Education and the graduate school are available to help you pursue your graduate education.

There also may be graduate assistant positions available. For more information on scholarships and graduate assistant positions, visit our website.

Information about other financial assistance can be found at the graduate school website or the financial aid website.

Faculty

Veronica Baldwin (Jones), Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Texas A & M University. Men of color in higher education; student activism and engagement; institutional equity and diversity; critical race theory and critical discourse analysis.

V. Barbara Bush, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University. Leadership; racial and ethnic diversity; women in higher education; student development; management; student affairs.

Clifford P. Harbour, Professor; Ed.D., North Carolina State University, J.D. Ohio Northern University. Community colleges, higher education law, institutional mission and normative vision.

Uyen Tran-Parsons, Senior Lecturer and Master's Program Coordinator; Ph.D., Texas Tech University. Diversity and inclusion; student affairs; retention of underrepresented populations.

Barrett Taylor, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Georgia. Higher education policy and finance; organizational theory; sociology and higher education.

Affiliate faculty and specialization areas

Gwenn Pasco, Senior Assistant Dean for the College of Education; Ed.D., Columbia University. Student cultures; organization and administration; residence life; student affairs administration; retention and academic effectiveness.

Jason Simon, Associate Vice Provost for Institutional Research & Effectiveness; Ph.D., University of North Texas. Institutional research; institutional effectiveness, higher education accreditation; alumni relations and fundraising.

Elizabeth With, Vice President for Student Affairs; Ed.D, University of North Texas. Higher education administration with an emphasis on legal issues in higher education.

David F. Wolf, Vice President for University Advancement; Ph.D., University of North Texas. Resource development in higher education; university marketing, branding, communications and community relations; university governmental relations; higher education leadership studies and higher education organizational theory.

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