M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration with a concentration in higher education leadership combines research, theory, and practice to prepare aspiring leaders to effectively work in a wide variety of functional areas within higher education. The program’s goals are to meet the needs of current and emergent educational leaders in higher education across the US. The program encourages intensive study of policies and organizational issues in higher education that will assist future leaders, administrators, researchers, and policy analysts. The location of The University of Texas at El Paso on an international border provides rich context to address the population of our community and the needs of our growing nation.

Mission

Our mission is to develop practitioner-scholars and leaders whose commitment to equity will transform higher education and student affairs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 

Outcomes

The graduates of the M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership will demonstrate the application of the following outcomes: 

• Examine higher education and student affairs research, theories, and practices in order to apply what is important in Hispanic-Serving Institutions.  

• Evaluate the impact of higher education and student affairs governance structures and functions in order to improve Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 

• Critically analyze legal, ethical, and philosophical dilemmas impacting the constituencies of Hispanic-Serving Institutions.   

• Effectively communicate economic trends of financing and funding of higher education systems and institutions in order to advocate for and create equitable learning environments at Hispanic-Serving Institutions.  

• Plan, assess, and evaluate on a continuing basis in order to address the academic and social needs of Hispanic college students. 

Degree Program Requirements

The academic program requires the completion of the following 30 credit hours. For the most up-to-date degree requirements, please visit the UTEP Connect website.

How to Apply

Admissions Process

Prospective students can apply to the program by July 1 for a Fall semester start or December 1 for Spring start. Applicants who qualify may enter the program on a full-time or a part-time basis. Application materials are appraised in a holistic review process where no single factor is used to select or eliminate an applicant.

• Written Letter of Intent
  • Prospective students should demonstrate academic capability, interpersonal skills, demonstrated interest in the program, commitment to pursuing a career in higher education or student affairs, the potential to serve a wide range of students of varying developmental levels and backgrounds, and the capacity to be open to self-assessment and growth.
• Résumé 
  • Prospective students will provide a résumé detailing at minimum their education, experience, and specialized skills

• Three letters of Recommendation
  • Prospecive students will furnish a minimum of three recommendation letters from individuals who can assess the applicant’s scholarly potential, past academic performance, professional experiences, and leadership skills.
• Transcripts
  • Attainment of an undergraduate cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0; or attainment of an undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.0 in all upper-division undergraduate coursework.
• TOEFL
  • International applicants for whom English is not a primary language also must provide evidence of acceptable scores (minimum of 550) attained on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). With the department’s permission, students scoring lower than 550 may apply to the program providing they are attending formal English classes and attain a score of 550 within a year

For further program information, contact: 
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
Education Building, Room 501
Email: edlf@utep.edu
Phone: (915) 747-5300
Fax: (915) 747-5838

Advising

Students should arrange to meet with their assigned advisor as soon as they are admitted into the master’s program. The student and advisor will create a degree plan during the initial meeting. This plan will be filed and may be revised after additional advising sessions, as the student progresses through the program.

Students who want to discuss their progress in the program or ways to tailor their degree plan to their areas of interest may contact:

Gary Edens, Ed.D.
Professor of Practice
gedens@utep.edu
915 - 747 - 7471