M.Ed. in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Concentration

The higher education administration concentration of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program is a 30-credit-hour program designed to prepare leaders in postsecondary settings. Students will learn to lead in areas such as academic advising, athletics, support, and enrollment services. The curriculum includes content related to crisis leadership, funding, under-prepared and/or under-resourced students, and the growing need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion of all stakeholders. Students will review historical and current trends impacting higher education and college environments. Students will learn to address diversity and multicultural issues on college campuses, as well as explore traditional and non-traditional environments. Students will also examine state and federal legislation, policy, and financial issues related to higher education.

Designed for full-time students and working professionals, this program can be completed in as little as 16 months. Higher education is a dynamic field with a wide diversity of institutions internationally. This program will prepare you for the future of higher education institutional leadership needs.

This program offers:

• Professional learning is designed to prepare you as a transformative leader able to make a difference in higher education settings
• Research-relevant learning outcomes will prepare students for a diversity of higher education settings and challenge current issues in the field
• From community colleges to urban institutions, learn about the institutions that build one of the largest industries in the United States
• Access to experienced faculty and instructor practitioners
• Online and face-to-face options

Whether your career goals include engaging in non-profit, higher education, K-12, or government entities, the VCU School of Education academic programs take learning to a new level. As the 16th best public graduate education school and 10th best online master in education based on U.S. News and World Report (2023), we do things differently. We are UNcommon at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Transforming lives. Serving communities. Learning Elevated. It’s more than an aspirational slogan. It’s our purpose. Our values of innovation, inclusion, community-focused, and collaboration guide us daily with diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at the center of our work. At VCU School of Education, we walk the walk. Come walk with us. VCU has been recognized four straight years as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, and we follow suit in the VCU School of education with 32% of SOE students identifying as racially minoritized. Our faculty and staff are known around the world as leaders in education research and instruction, and they bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. Research shows that diversity drives excellence, and with our over $37.4 million dollar external funding supporting research, we make a big impact in challenging the status quo. VCU is ranked among the 30 most innovative public universities by the U.S. News and World Report, and the School of Education is ranked #13 school engagement by the National Science Foundation. If you are ready to be UNstoppable, join our community today.

Vision

To be a leader in responsive, needs-driven, and research-based educational practices that transform the lives of those we serve in our communities, especially those who have been historically marginalized.

Mission

We advance learning and knowledge through impactful research, teaching, and engagement to provide our students, professionals, and communities with the tools to create progressive change. We prepare and support professionals to lead change and inform social, economic, health, and educational policy and practice.

Values

• Innovative – Cultivate discovery, creativity, originality, inventiveness, and talent.
• Inclusive – Ensure a climate of mutual trust and respect where individuals of different cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities, and life experiences are embraced, engaged, and empowered to drive excellence and success.
• Community-focused – Build deliberate/intentional relationships with the surrounding community and engage in actions that focus on the needs of its people.
• Collaborative – Foster collegiality and cooperation with internal and external partners to advance learning, research, and service.