Higher Education Administration
The programs in Higher Education Administration provide the skills needed for careers in administration in post-secondary education, as well as for research and teaching in higher education. They emphasize a multidisciplinary perspective as a basis for developing effective administrators, scholars, or policy makers. At UB, we believe in understanding the broad context of higher education – its history, sociology, and financing – as a necessary preparation for working in today’s post-secondary sector. All academic programs are individually designed and flexible to allow students to focus in areas of special interest. Both Ed.M. and Ph.D. programs are available. In addition, there is a concentration in Student Affairs Administration within the Ed.M. program.
While students are exposed to the theories and practical issues that higher education administrators face in today’s colleges and universities, we are convinced that the best training is a well-grounded understanding of the nature and problems of higher education. Our students learn to understand the basic elements of the complex organizational structure of the modern university, and how to engage in research.
| Higher Education Administration at a glance: | |
|---|---|
| Ed.M. | March 1 |
| Ed.M. (with Concentration in Student Affairs Administration) | January 1 |
| Ph.D. | March 1 |
| Typical Careers: | Our graduates work in rewarding administrative positions in state and federal government positions, and in teaching and research positions in higher education across New York State the nation, and the world. |
Doctoral Program
The doctoral program in Higher Education features several stages of study. The first is the basic orientation to the foundations of higher education and achievement of competence in several core areas (higher education in the US, organization and governance, the history of higher education, finance and American college student). The second phase of the program includes the mastery of a specialized field of higher education. A third stage stresses research competence. Qualifying examinations are taken when course work is successfully completed.
View the Higher Education Doctoral Program webpage.
Master's Program
We offer a Master's program in Higher Education Administration for those students interested in becoming acquainted with issues in the discipline. We also offer a Student Affairs Concentration in within this program. We also have a special track in Student Affairs AdministrationThis is of great interest to students who wish to pursue careers in Student Affairs Administration in a college or university setting. This program is based on guidelines developed by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). This 45 credit hour track has an administrative emphasis, as well as stressing student development and counseling components.
Flexibility
The Master's and Doctoral programs are individually tailored to allow for the intellectual and professional goals of each student. Interdisciplinary minors are encouraged, as well as an administrative practicum. A one-year residency (two consecutive semesters of full-time registration) is required for all doctoral students.
Special Feature
An international approach will be particularly relevant to students from other countries seeking advanced work in Higher Education. It is possible to pursue doctoral study in comparative higher education and efforts are made to make the higher education concentration relevant to students from other countries.
Financial Support
The department offers graduate assistantships for qualified doctoral-level students. In addition, University Fellowships are also available. Internships (usually remunerated) are frequently possible as a means of providing supervised professional experience, for doctoral students.
The Professional Study of Higher Education at the University at Buffalo
The Higher Education Program has awarded more than 150 doctorates. Its graduates can be found in rewarding professional positions in New York State, around the nation and in many parts of the world. Included are top-ranking administrators, professors of higher education, planners and government officials who have found this university's approach to graduate study in higher education to be intellectually stimulating.
Further Information
For questions regarding the application process applicants must contact:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
366 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Telephone: (716) 645-2110
Fax: (716) 645-7937
email: gse-info@buffalo.edu
