Higher Education (M.S.)
What can you do with your degree?
The Higher Education (M.S.) program prepares current and future practitioners and scholars with a robust toolbox and knowledge base to solve complex problems within higher education. Students may choose to explore the foundations of post-secondary settings and the study of them, broadly defined, or to concentrate their studies in a specific aspect of the field of higher education.
Program Highlights:
- Commitment to Practice—Emphasis on practical application, ensuring that students are not only learning theoretical concepts but also developing the skills necessary to address real-world challenges within higher education settings
- Strong Foundational Perspective—Course offerings examine the history, sociology, philosophy, policy, administrative and organizational, student-serving, and comparative and international aspects of higher education
- Flexible Delivery—Students will likely engage in a mix of online and in-person classes
- Fit for the Working Professional—Most in-person classes are offered once a week during the later afternoon
- Stackable Curriculum—Compatible with several Graduate Certificates, including Comparative and International Education and Research Methods in Education.
- Doctoral Preparation—Can be used as a foundation for doctoral studies
- Holistic Admissions—GRE optional but not required for admission
Program Details
Degree Type: Master's of Science
Delivery Method: On Campus, In-Person
Why you should enroll
Higher education needs practitioners and scholars who are knowledgeable and dedicated to serving students and who use evidence-based research and skills to make informed decisions that will improve postsecondary institutions, practices, and policies.
Students in this program will learn from a multidisciplinary faculty who are experts in many disciplines of higher education and who build robust and supportive relationships with students to help them succeed in their studies. You will collaborate with faculty to discover and develop best practices in areas of higher education that interest you, including student supports, law and policy, organization and administration, history and philosophy, assessment and evaluation, and more. Students can customize much of their program to meet their interests and career goals through both Concentration and Elective course options.
What you'll study
Curriculum
Credit Hours: 31
Program of study includes:
- Proseminar (1 credit)
- Core (9 credits)
- EPE 683: History of Higher Education
- EPE 612: Introduction to Higher Education
- EPE 676: Organization and Administration of Higher Education
- Research Methods (3 credits)
- Concentration (9 credits)
- Electives (9 credits)
Admission Requirements
Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores for admissions to any EPE Degree Programs.
Applicants must submit their application materials through the University of Kentucky’s application system. A completed application includes:
- Program application
- Transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions
- Personal statement
- 2 recommendation letters
- CV or resume (optional, but recommended)
Application materials should compellingly articulate the rationale for pursuing the MS in Higher Education degree at the University of Kentucky.
Priority Application Deadlines:
- February 1 for Fall or Summer admissions
- October 1 for Spring admissions
After these dates, we admit on a rolling basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tuition cost?
Please refer to Credit Hour Rates for Graduate Students on the UK Tuition and Mandatory Fees page.
Are there assistantship and/or funding opportunities?
The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation (EPE) occasionally has assistantships that master's students may qualify for. These include teaching assistantships in undergraduate courses in education policy and graduate courses in research methods, research assistantships with the College of Education Evaluation Center and EPE-related research projects, or graduate assistantships working in units across the campus. The College of Education and the Graduate School offers scholarships to some students. For more information about these opportunities, be sure to check the College of Education webpage and Graduate School webpage for student funding and scholarships.
EPE shares a weekly student newsletter with students that features available assistantships and scholarships.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Depending on the ability to be a full-time or part-time student, students often complete the program in 1.5 to 3 years.
Are summer courses offered?
Some courses are offered during Summer terms, but enrollment in the Summer is not required.
Contact us
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation
eric.t.weber@uky.edu
Program Coordinator & Department Chair
Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation
meghan.pifer@uky.edu
Cost of Attendance
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Tuition and Fees
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