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Education, Higher Education, M.Ed.

The Master of Education in higher education prepares educators to become effective practitioners in multiple administrative roles, facilitate student learning, promote student success, and shape inclusive college communities.

Visit the program website for more information.

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100%
Of Faculty Have Practitioner Experience

Each faculty member is an experienced education practitioner.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

GVSU's education program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

100%
Of Faculty Have Doctoral Degrees

Each faculty member holds a doctoral degree in their field.


Source: EMSI, 2021

Program Overview

The program offers an opportunity to enroll in coursework full- or part-time and includes two emphasis areas: Adult and Higher Education (AHE) and College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL). Graduates of the higher education program will be equipped with the theoretical basis to serve in student affairs positions such as admissions, orientation, housing, campus recreation, and more.

Admission to the Program

  • Graduate application to admission at GVSU
  • $30 nonrefundable application fee; waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU
  • Official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education
  • Three letters of recommendation

Why Study Higher Education at Grand Valley?

  • Faculty members are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and students' needs as practitioners.
  • Faculty members are committed to creating and maintaining supportive educational environments that challenge students to reach their fullest potential.
  • The curriculum is flexible and offered in a hybrid format for working educators.
  • The curriculum, instructional practices, professional development, experiential, and co-curricular opportunities are shaped by theory to practice, foundation, which enables graduates to make well-informed decisions in a variety of higher education settings.
  • Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Accreditation

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on both the Allendale and Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids campuses.

Format:

Coursework

The higher education program includes foundation courses, emphasis area courses, concentration courses, and elective courses.

The AHE emphasis requires a minimum of 36 credits and offers the opportunity to take coursework part time.

The CSAL emphasis, requiring a minimum of 42 credits overall which includes 6 credits of practicum/internship experience, offers a cohort experience to students and is designed to be completed in two full-time academic years.

Career Options

The higher education curriculum prepares graduates to work with college students and higher education professionals in a variety of areas such as:

  • Academic advising
  • Career services
  • Housing and residential life
  • Multicultural affairs
  • Admissions
  • Financial aid
  • Recreation and wellness

Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is July 15; winter deadline is November 15; spring/summer deadline is March 15. Those applications received after the deadline will be considered on an individual basis and program availability.

Admission Requirements

For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.

Admission into a master's of education program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.

If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.

For More Information

College of Education and Community Innovation

gvsu.edu/education/grad
401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
[email protected]

Program Director

Laila McCloud, Ph.D.
(616) 331-6293