Online Degree in Higher Education Programs

An online degree in higher education is offered at the graduate degree level, i.e. the higher education master degree and the higher education PhD degree level.

Specializations in online higher education master degree programs include educational leadership and educational management in higher education. The role of higher education administrators is to take work with students in colleges and universities to help them meet their academic, professional, personal, cultural and social goals. Their job is to serve as leaders in developing and coordinating various academic and social programs in the higher education environments. Online higher education degrees are offered online as a means of offering flexibility for students who want to advance their careers and academic skills and knowledge. Careers with a higher education doctorate degree include working in colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational colleges, technical college and other tertiary and post secondary institutions. This often requires knowledge of adult education theory, also known as andragogy. Both the online higher education master degree and the online PhD in higher education provides coursework in this area of study.

Selected Adult Learning & Higher Education Programs

Capella University - Online

• Master of Science (MS) in Education - Enrollment Management
• Master of Science (MS) in Education - Postsecondary and Adult Education
• Master of Science (MS) in Education - Professional Studies in Education
• Master of Science (MS) in Education - Leadership for Higher Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organization and Management - Management Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - Professional Studies in Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - Leadership for Higher Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - Postsecondary and Adult Education

University of Phoenix

• MA in Education/Adult Education and Training

Strayer University

• M.Ed. in Adult Education and Development

• Ph.D. in Education - Adult Education Leadership
• Doctor of Education (Ed. D) - Higher Education and Adult Learning
• Ph.D. in Education - Higher Education
• Ph.D. in Education - Adult Education Leadership

• Master of Education in Adult Education
• Master of Education in Corporate Training & Knowledge Management
• Master of Education in e-learning Technology & Design
• M. Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Administration

The University of Liverpool

• Doctor of Education (Higher Education)

• Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Change

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Master of Education (MEd) - Global Training and Development
• Master of Education (MEd) - Higher Education Leadership
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education - Global Training and Development
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education - Higher Education Leadership
• Doctor of Education (EdD) - Global Training and Development
• Doctor of Education (EdD) - Higher Education Leadership

• M. S. in Higher Education/Student Services
• M. S. in Higher Education/College Teaching and Learning

Post University

• Graduate Certificate in Performance Management
• Master of Education in Instructional Design & Technology

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Higher Education Training and Courses

Higher education degree programs are designed to prepare student sin various disciplines including educational leadership, educational management, and curriculum design and development. The Master of Science in higher education and the master of education in higher education degree programs are both aimed at preparing students for leadership positions in colleges and universities. With an online degree in higher education, students can specialize in:

• Student development
• Organization and governance
• Organizational change
• Higher education and diversity
• College leadership
• Student services

Higher Education Courses

Some online higher education degree programs require students to complete an internship, independent research project, or thesis, master's degree programs. A PhD in higher education is ideal for students who wish to work higher-level administration, research, and teaching positions. Courses at the higher education doctoral level may include quantitative analysis and research methods in addition to other core requirements. Higher education courses might include various topics such:

• Legal issues in higher education
• Human resource management in higher education
• Educational politics and history
• Trends in teaching and learning
• Curriculum design and development
• Budgeting and finance of higher education institutions
• Grant writing for higher education
• Management of higher education institutions
• Online and distance learning programs
• Educational technology

Higher Education Careers

Graduates with a degree in higher education often go to serve as higher education administrators, department chairs, deans, provosts, etc. Higher education administrators maintain academic quality and reputation. For careers in higher education, administrators develop and coordinate academic programs. In addition, they are responsible for managing budgets and finances, recruiting, hiring and managing faculty and staff as well as establishing and maintaining academic policies. Degrees in higher education are therefore quite versatile.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

A degree in higher education is important for advancing in a career in colleges and universities. The United States Department of Labor reports in In May 2008, postsecondary school administrators earned median annual wages of $80,670. The middle 50% earned between $58,940 and $113,860. The lowest 10 % earned less than $45,050 while the highest 10% earned more than $160,500. Career opportunities are expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Jobs are expected to grow by about 8% between 2008 and 2018.