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Educational Leadership in Adult & Higher Education, MEd

The MEd in Educational Leadership in Adult & Higher Education is an accelerated 36-credit advanced preparation program which can be completed in approximately two to two and a half (2-2.5) years. The program prepares students for entry and mid-level professional positions in higher education or adjacent roles in adult education administration.

At program completion, graduates are expected to have the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to support student development and administration in adult education programs, public and private, 2- and 4-year postsecondary institutions. This advanced graduate degree prepares graduates to work in entry level positions in postsecondary related areas of adult education such as college access, college non-profits, degree completion, educational foundations, bridge programs or university administration such as student affairs, bridge programs, academic advising, enrollment management, admissions, or student engagement programs.

Our Students

The program is designed to attract those in entry-level, in career transition, or other higher education or adjacent postsecondary professional positions seeking career advancement or competency. This program is among less than ten related master’s programs at HBCUs focused on professional preparation of higher education professionals.

Program Distinction

The Adult & Higher Education master’s program at DSU offers a distinctive curriculum that is focused on advancing the professional preparation competencies across Diversity, Adult & College Student Development, Assessment, and Student Success. The program is unique is that is blends courses in adult education as well as foundational courses in higher education administration. Students will engage with course content that challenges learners to consider higher education as an integrated and loosely coupled spectrum of adult and higher education.

The program examines topics thematically across a curriculum focused on a “core four” of (1) diversity, (2) adult & college student development, (3) assessment, and (4) student success. Courses will be offered in hybrid online format taught by full-time and existing affiliate (adjunct) practitioner-scholars. The program includes 12 courses structured in eight-week sessions which will take 2-2.5 years to complete.

Students complete two applied research methods courses (assessment and research methods) and a three-credit action research capstone. In this final course, students demonstrate their mastery of program competencies. Students will complete a graduate capstone which is an integrative, applied research project.

MEd to EdD Pathway

This Adult and Higher Education program offers a direct enrollment pathway toward the EdD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education at DSU as well as supports career pathways into the career areas of adult and higher education.

Program Delivery

  • Courses are offered in an online synchronous hybrid/HyFlex format with weekly meetings supplemented with asynchronous assignments. Courses are online, remote and can be completed anywhere.
  • Weekly course instruction with course professors provides connection and network opportunities.
  • All courses are offered on an accelerated basis in which courses are offered in two 8-week sessions per semester.
  • Course times are in the evening and intended for adult learners to accommodate campus student engagement schedules for professionals in higher education

Courses Cycle & Sequence

For the course cycle, please view the program course sequence. 

  1. Foundations of Higher Education
  2. Theories of Adult & College Student Development
  3. Adult Education Theory & Practice
  4. Interpreting and Applying Educational Research (EDUC 625) 
  5. Social Justice in Adult & Higher Education
  6. Institutional Types in Higher Education
  7. Student Retention Theory & Practice
  8. Law & Policy in Adult & Higher Education
  9. Capstone Seminar in Educational Leadership 
  10. Professional Seminar in Adult & Higher Education
  11. Program Evaluation & Assessment in Adult & Higher Education
  12. Organization & Administration of Adult & Higher Education

Total: 36 credits