Master's Degree in Higher Education

Higher Education

Who is this program for?

A master’s program in higher education is ideal for individuals passionate about shaping academic institutions and supporting student success. Graduates often pursue careers as university administrators, academic advisors, or policy analysts, specializing in areas like student affairs, higher education leadership, and institutional development.

Program Overview

This master’s program serves those contemplating careers in higher education or already working in a college or university. It may also be organized as a foundation for doctoral study.

Students may choose: 

1) to examine the history, sociology, philosophy, and/or comparative and international analyses of post-secondary settings, broadly defined; or 

2) to concentrate their studies in a specific aspect of the field of higher education, including student affairs, administration and leadership, law and policy, comparative and international studies, or academic affairs. This degree program is also compatible with a number of graduate certificates, including Comparative and International Education and Research Methods in Education.

Offered by the College of Education
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Credit Hours
36
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Credential
MS
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Tuition / Credit Hour
Resident $825.50
Non-Resident $2,060.50
Cost of Attendance

Admission Requirements

Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.

Application Requirements

Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.

Application Deadlines

Domestic

  • Fall
    • 07/25/2025
  • Spring
    • 12/12/2025
  • Summer
    • 04/18/2026

International

  • Fall
    • 04/15/2025
  • Spring
    • 09/15/2025
Calendars & Deadlines

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What You'll Learn

Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.

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Explore Funding Options

As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!

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Complete the form to get the latest updates on this program, including special events and application deadlines.

Hidden Conditionals







Things to do on this form:
Take away "Term" for Transfers - "Unknown Term"? As well as "Not in High School"
And the same for "Online"

Possibly remove the "Readmit" option.
Feel like it would be pretty easy to see if the person already exists in our system and has a program enrollment record associated with them, which would shift them from "Freshman" or "Transfer" to "Readmit"
Gatton College of Business and Economics
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The University of Kentucky defines international applicants as those with citizenship other than the United States of America. Exception: Permanent Residents of the United States should complete a domestic application.



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