Earn an Online Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education Administration from LSU
Examine the structure, governance, and operations of colleges and universities.
Explore student development theory, higher education policy, and administrative leadership practices.
Apply research-informed approaches to support institutional effectiveness and student success in higher education settings.
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Admissions
Whether you’re returning to school or advancing your career, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.
Apply by
May 11, 2026
Classes begin
May 25, 2026
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply through the LSU Graduate School and have the following in order to be considered for program admission:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or the equivalent from a foreign institution*
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on all undergraduate work (or in the final 60 credit hours) and for any graduate work already completed
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE Exam is Optional – A GRE score is not required. However, a student may opt to submit their score if they would like it to be considered in the admission process.
*Applicants with foreign credit hours are strongly encouraged to provide course-by-course evaluation of these credentials.
Additional information about LSU Graduate admission requirements are located here.
Flexible Schedule
Our program is built for busy adults with work and family commitments. Learn on your schedule with 24/7 access to course materials.
No required login times
Complete coursework when it works for you
Stay on track with weekly goals
Perfect for full-time workers and parents
Tuition
LSU programs offer competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees, making it easier to plan for the cost of your degree. You may also be able to save more by transferring eligible credits.
Tuition & Fees
- 36 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $464
- Cost per credit hour
- $16,704
- Total cost with fees
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSU offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.
Academics
Through 36 credit hours, students develop strong leadership and management skills, along with an understanding of how the higher education industry operates.
What Will I Learn?
Students who graduate with an online master’s in higher education administration will be well-prepared to enter the complex higher education field and become leaders in their schools.
Topics covered in this degree program include the following:
- Instructing teachers and administrators to become intelligent consumers of research
- Basic concepts and issues in the college student affairs field
- Introduction to basic communication skills and counseling techniques
- Historical and socio-political perspectives on the higher education experiences of women, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanics, focusing primarily on the period from the 1960s to the present
- Organization and administration of postsecondary education in the United States and abroad
- Analysis of leadership issues and theory relating to postsecondary education, including the college presidency and academic governance
- Legal issues concerning higher education, including tenure, academic freedom, campus crime, sexual harassment, laws against discrimination, student discipline and liability for accidents and injuries
Why Choose This Program?
Every day, dedicated administrative professionals at higher education organizations across the country are making it possible for students and professors to have the most enriching academic experience possible. These professionals are building relationships with alumni groups, spearheading fundraising initiatives for scholarships, serving as helpful and trustworthy liaisons with the Greek community, and doing whatever they can to enhance the higher education experience for all stakeholders.
An MA in Education with an HEA concentration provides graduates with the managerial skills and comprehensive understanding of higher education operations to become a successful collegiate administrative leader. This degree can help graduates to attain rewarding positions and can enable students to enrich the lives of members of the university body with the knowledge and techniques developed in the program.
Courses
| Foundational Core (All required) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
ELRC 4249 - Understanding and Applying Research in Education |
3 |
ELRC 4364 - Student Affairs in Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7608 - Internship in Educational Administration |
3 |
ELRC 7601 - Foundations of Higher Education |
3 |
Total |
12 Hours |
Disciplinary Core (15 hours, selected from this list): |
Credit Hours |
ELRC 7600 - Issues of Race and Gender in Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7602 - Organization and Administration of Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7603 - Leadership in Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7605 - Higher Education and the Law |
3 |
ELRC 7607 - Finance in Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7609 - Strategic Planning in Higher Education |
3 |
ELRC 7611 - College Students in the United States |
3 |
ELRC 7612 - Student Development Theory |
3 |
ELRC 7613 - Community Colleges |
3 |
ELRC 7614 - College Access & Choice |
3 |
ELRC 7890 - Academic Advising |
3 |
ELRC 7890 - Retention & Student Success |
3 |
Higher Education Electives (9 Hours)
- Three graduate-level courses from Higher Education (above list) or an advisor-approved cognate area.
Testimonials
"Our program embraces the theory-to-practice model. Our online students learn from full-time researchers as well as esteemed practitioners in the field of student affairs and higher education administration."
Careers
Career Opportunities
- Post Secondary Teachers
- Post Secondary Education Administrators
- School and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Administrative Services and Facilities Managers
- Administrative Leader
- Admissions Director
- Director of Alumni Relations
- Vice President of Enrollment Management
- Dean of Admissions
- Director of Student Financial Aid
- Director of Academic Advising
- Education Consultant
- Residential Life Coordinator
