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Leadership in Higher Education
The Leadership in Higher Education specialization is an excellent choice if you are interested in pursuing a career as a higher education specialist or manager. You will develop a strong knowledgebase of the ins-and-outs of higher education as you explore a variety of topics specific to higher education, such as how higher education is organized, how it is financed, legal issues, and the history of higher education. You will also have the option to take an in depth look at community colleges, an important part of higher education. This specialization emphasizes application, and you will be encouraged to apply what you learn to the real world as you continue to advance your knowledge and skills.
Certification and Licensing
The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The MEd program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Certification requirements vary by state. Students are advised to contact their state department of education or local school district for guidance in obtaining certification or licensure, or for approval in fulfilling district level incentive programs.
There are several reasons why an educator would want to pursue a graduate degree in education that does not lead to state licensing or certification.
Reasons may include:
- "Move up" steps on the salary schedule.
- Improve skills and professionalism in general or to pursue a ”leadership” position outside the classroom (school-based or district level).
- Advance as a ”teacher leader” through a graduate degree (already has a bachelor's degree and certification).
- Meet the needs of increasingly diverse students.
- Work in a traditional K-12 classroom environment (trainer, educational consultant, etc).
Completion Period for Master's Degrees
Northcentral University allows 5 years to complete all 30 credit hour master's programs. Normal time to complete varies depending upon the rate courses are taken and credits transferred.
Course Length
Existing MEd students may opt to switch to eight-week courses by contacting their Academic Advisor. Once existing MEd students have opted for eight-week courses, they must receive approval from the Office of the Dean to switch back to a program of 12-week courses. All eight-week courses are indicated by a "-8" (dash eight) at the end of the course code.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
Specialization Course 1 | ||
Specialization Course 2 | ||
Specialization Course 3 | ||
ED6001 / ED6001-8 | Educational Research | This graduate course will examine a comprehensive overview of research tools utilized by education practitioners. Students will be provided with a solid understanding of research concepts, skills, and principles such as data collection, literature reviews, and evaluation methods. |
Specialization Course 4 | ||
Specialization Course 5 | ||
Specialization Course 6 | ||
Specialization Course 7 | ||
ED6002 / ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED5038-8 | The Art and Science of Adult Education | Adult education is an exciting field and is equally exciting to be associated with as a student, faculty member, trainer, educator, or administrator. The field is growing and full of opportunity. More than 50% of all college students are over 21, with nearly 15% over 35. Adult students want and should be actively involved in their learning process. ED5038-8 provides students with a knowledge base organized around four domains: professional attitudes; historical, social, and philosophical context; adult learning and development; and, organization and administration of adult programs. |
LHE5004-8 | Leading Organizations in Higher Education | This Masters level course provides an introduction to the classical theories, traditional models, and contemporary readings regarding approaches and structures relative to organizational governance in higher education. Topical areas to be covered include organizational theory, governance models, campus climate, institutional change, and diversity. |
LHE5005-8 | Exploring Legal Issues in Higher Education | This Masters level course enables students to develop a fundamental understanding of the importance of legal issues in higher education and their impact on individual rights and responsibilities as well as those of institutions of higher education. |
LHE5008-8 | Financial Issues in Higher Education | This course will provide students with an overview of financial issues applicable to higher education in the United States. Students will engage a broad foundation of theory, practice, research, and policy of higher education economics. Topics will include societal investment in higher education, methods of finance, costs of higher education, and budgeting concepts. |
LHE5009-8 | A History of Higher Education | This course will introduce students to the historical origins of higher education in the United States. Significant periods in the development of higher education in this country will be covered, as well as the evolution into todays contemporary and complex system of higher education. |
LHE5010-8 | Topics in Higher Education | This course explores areas of interest in higher education. Often these areas are new topics of to higher education. At times, areas of higher education that are receiving attention nationally will be highlighted through this course. Students will work with Mentors to create a self-directed study plan on a topic appropriate for masters-level study. |
LHE5011-8 | Leadership for Higher Education | The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the nuances of higher education leadership and theory. Emphasis will be given to the practical application of higher education leadership theories in the academic and administrative roles of an institution of higher education. |
LHE5013-8 | The Community College | This course provides a general and introductory understanding of curricular issues in a community college setting. Students will explore issues related to the community college curriculum relative to program development and management as well as assessment. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED6002 / ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Master of Education tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your MEd program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s MEd costs below:
- Per credit cost: $544
- Per 3 credit course cost: $1,631
- Program cost: $16,310
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
