M.S.: Higher Education Leadership

Welcome
Program OverviewAdmission Requirements
Expectations
Distribution of Instructional Content and Delivery Methods for each Course
Projected Enrollment Cycles
Schedule of Courses for Cohort 1
Contact Information
Approved Program Form
Supervisor Support Letter

Welcome

Welcome to the Higher Education Leadership program! You are embarking on a very exciting journey!

This academic program is very unique in philosophy, concept, and delivery. Philosophically, we believe that higher education leaders should be equipped with a firm understanding of leadership, culture, and teamwork in order to lead complex organizations and implement their myriad administrative responsibilities. Conceptually, we understand that adults learn best when new theories, concepts, and information are integrated into familiar contexts, when there are ongoing opportunities for collaboration and discourse, and when the "big picture" is always present. Consequently, the program's learning model is cohort-based and content is built around broad themes that encompass components of the complex organization we know as higher education.

The model is implemented by delivering content in three modalities: face-to-face through monthly on-site workshops, on-line through this site, and through field experiences. Opportunities for program specialization are available through electives incorporated into the program.

Your learning cohort is comprised of your classmates, your faculty, your employment supervisors, higher education leaders on your campus and other campuses, and field literature. Your primary cohort is your classmates. Your cohort begins together and stays together throughout your program journey. Expect to spend a significant amount of time collaborating face-to-face and on-line with your cohort.

You will probably note that this course site is designed to be a comprehensive tool. Each of the unit buttons constitutes a program theme or component. You will remain enrolled in this site throughout your program experience. It will become a tremendous archive of resources, conversations, and tools that can help you be a successful student and practitioner. Program faculty will add content frequently, so check back often.

Program Overview

The higher education leadership profession encompasses a wide range of duties and skill sets. The profession requires skill and experience in working with people within an academic community with specialized skill sets in finance and personnel management as well as public relations, technology transfer and strategic planning. A wide range of administrative and management positions comprise the profession including the following: curriculum development, student support and guidance, student advisement, assessment and management, student recruitment and admissions, research support, publications, management information and statistics, alumni relations, and international student services, as well as external relations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics higher education is becoming more "service oriented" and there is an increasing need for management positions primarily due the large number of retirees over the next few years (US Department of Labor, 2006). Furthermore strong demand for higher education leaders is projected through 2014. The Bureau also reported that there more than 130,000 higher education administrators currently working in institutions of higher learning in America, mostly in public universities. A review of an Internet job search web site revealed that more than 1600 higher education administration positions are currently open across the nation; this does not include locally advertised positions (AcademicKeys.com for Administration, no date).

Salaries in higher education administration positions are above the national average for white collar employees. As reported by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources in America, median annual salaries for selected administrators in higher education in 2004-05 were as follows (US Department of Labor, 2006):

Chief Development Officer	$114,400
Dean of Students	$75,245
Director, Financial Aids	$63,130
Registrar	$61,953
Director, Student Activities	$45,636

This Masters of Science in Higher Education Leadership program will through rigorous course work develop and train aspiring higher education leaders. This program will prepare students for entry-level management and leadership positions in four-year, community and technical colleges and universities. One general purpose of this program is to produce graduates that are more effective in their offices and more satisfied with their work so that the overall environment has experienced an increase in value both in the work accomplished and employment satisfaction.

This program will use a unique blended course delivery format that will take advantage of faculty expertise in the use of internet technology. Program content will be delivered through face-to-face instruction (1/3), on-line instruction (1/3) and practicum experiences (1/3). The program will also use a rolling cohort enrollment model to deliver course content and experiences.

Admission Requirements

Accredited Bachelors Degree
Candidates are required to hold a bachelors degree from an accredited institution; no other certification is required. Admission standards for the proposed degree will include at least a 2.75 GPA at the undergraduate level.

GRE or Equivalent
Additionally, successful candidates are required to score 700 or higher on the GRE on the combined Verbal and Analytical sub scores and at least 3.5 on the writing sample section of the GRE. For those candidates that have taken the GMAT, the department will accept scores of 450 and higher.

Approved Program Form
All students are required to have a completed Approved Program Form during the first semester of the program.

Exit Comprehensive Exam Required
To meet exit comprehensive requirements, program members are required to submit a completed portfolio and field study in their last semester of coursework for evaluation by a faculty panel. Those students who have successfully completed all course work, portfolio and field study requirements will be approved for graduation.

Working Higher Education Professionals are Encouraged to Apply
Individuals currently holding, or interested in, leadership positions in higher education will find this program flexible and accommodating to their needs. Courses will primarily be offered on weekends (Friday evening and all day Saturday) with supplemental on-line coursework.

Expectations

Attendance is required. Because of the collaborative nature of this program, it is critical that you be present to contribute to and learn from conversations with your cohort. Please note the posted on-site dates. If the posted dates constitute an irreconcilable conflict, discuss the situation with your instructors.
Converse with your supervisor. Most class meetings will occur outside the regular workday. However, some assignments will probably require that you meet with campus leaders during the regular workday. Check your campus policies regarding absence from work for educational leaves/purposes.
Print and complete the "Supervisor Support Letter". This document describes the delivery modalities of the MS Higher Education Leadership program for your supervisor. This must be signed by your supervisor and submitted prior to the first Leadership class meeting.
Be prepared! Download the course syllabus early and note due dates and expectations. Note that some materials must be read prior to the first on-site meeting.
Complete the e-Companion "Student Online Tutorial" prior to the start of classes. The tutorial is listed in the "Special Courses" section of your Northwest Online (e-Companion) site.

Distribution of Instructional Content and Delivery Methods for each Course

Knowledge Building	Teacher Directed -- Student Centered	Face-to-Face	40 hrs
Discussion and Reflection	Teacher Directed -- Student Centered	Online	40 hrs
Exploration and Application	Student Directed -- Student Centered	Practicum	40 hrs

Projected Enrollment Cycles

	Fall 2007	Fall 2008	Fall 2009	Fall 2010
Northwest Campus (A)	Cohort 1A (Year 1)	Cohort 2A (Year 1) Cohort 1 (Year 2)	Cohort 3A (Year 1) Cohort 2A (Year 2)	Cohort 4A (Year 1) Cohort 3A (Year 2)
Northwest/ Kansas City Center (B)		Cohort 2B (Year 1)	Cohort 3B (Year 1) Cohort 2B (Year 2)	Cohort 4B (Year 1) Cohort 3B (Year 2)

Schedule of Courses for Program Cohort 1.0 beginning Fall 2007

Course Number	Course Title	Hours	Trimester
61-652	Leadership Issues in Higher Education	6	Fall 2007
61-654	Higher Education Administration	6	Spring 2008
61-657	Introduction to Institutional Research	3	Summer 2008
61-656	College Students in America	6	Fall 2008
61-658	Law, Policy, and Finance in Higher Education	6	Spring 2009
	ELECTIVES
TBD	To be Determined	3	TBD
TBD	To be Determined	3	TBD

Contact Information

Dr. Max Fridell
MS Higher Education Leadership Program Coordinator/
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
Office: Brown Hall
Phone: (660) 562-1270
E-mail: mfridel@nwmissouri.edu

Dr. Phil Messner
Professor, Educational Leadership
Office: Brown Hall 207
Phone: (660) 562-1478
E-mail: pemday@nwmissouri.edu

Dr. Leslie Galbreath
Adjunct Professor, Educational Leadership
Office: Administration Building 372
Phone: (660) 562-1726
E-mail: leslies@nwmissouri.edu

Dr. Sam Jennings
Adjunct Professor, Educational Leadership
Office: Missouri Academy
Phone: (660) 562-1070
E-mail: samj@nwmissouri.edu

Dr. Matt Symonds
Assistant Professor, HPRED
Office: Martindale Hall 208
Phone: (660) 562-1060
E-mail: msymond@nwmissouri.edu

Ms. Venus Brown
Secretary, Department of Educational Leadership
Office: Brown Hall 200
Phone: (660) 562-1231
E-mail: venus@nwmissouri.edu

Departments and Offices:

Northwest Online Help Desk Information
Phone: (303) 873-0005
E-mail: helpdesk@northwestonline.org

Daily Telephone/E-mail Support
Our Help Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via phone and e-mail.
The Help Desk will respond to e-mails and voice mails within 24 hours, while our average response time is four hours.

Department of Educational Leadership
Office: Brown Hall 200
Phone: (660) 562-1231
E-mail: edlead@nwmissouri.edu
Web Site: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/dept/edlead

Dr. Joyce Piveral
Chair, Educational Leadership
Office: Brown Hall 240
Phone: (660) 562-1064
E-mail: piveral@nwmissouri.edu

Graduate Office
Office: Administration Building 257
Phone: (660) 562-1145
E-mail: gradsch@nwmissouri.edu
Web Site: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/graduate

Northwest Missouri State University