Higher Education Master's Program in PA - Geneva College

MA Graduate Program

Higher Education

Understand the contours of contemporary higher education in a Christian program that examines the contexts of its theological, philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations

Cultivate a vision for higher education that is rooted in a Christian view of life.

The Master of Arts in Higher Education at Geneva College offers students a comprehensive framework for their work in higher education, centered on the integration of faith and learning. Study the foundations of higher education—the philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations that undergird our work.

Move ahead, both professionally and personally with a Master of Arts in Higher Education from Geneva.

M.A. in Higher Education Program

Learn more about the Master's in Higher Education program at Geneva College.

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Meet Our Faculty


Course Curriculum

Our 36-credit program can be pursued in two different formats:

Cohort Model

The Cohort Model enables students to complete the program in a continuous 20-month period. Classes meet once a week in the fall and spring. This model includes paid graduate assistantships available with a tuition discount.

Institute Model

The Institute Model offers great flexibility for working professionals. Students who enroll in this two-week summer option can complete their degree by attending classes for two years and registering for six courses (18 credits) each year. This is accomplished by taking two on-site courses each week and one online course each semester.

Program Information

Students in Class

Geneva's Master of Arts in Higher Education program prepares you for a professional career in higher education by fostering a comprehensive understanding of key topics and important trends in the field. And because our curriculum is grounded in the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith, you will explore the field under the guidance of faculty members who consider the implications of this perspective on work in colleges and universities. Throughout your course of study, you’ll discover how to:

  • Articulate the relevance and application of a Christian view of life to the study and practice of higher education
  • Understand the contours of contemporary higher education within the contexts of its theological, philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations
  • Advocate and model a holistic approach to the person in higher education settings
  • Develop beliefs, attitudes, and skills that reflect a professional identity rooted in Christian vocation, with particular emphasis on student affairs and administration, educational leadership, college teaching, and/or campus ministry
  • Utilize research, writing, and presentation skills in the investigation of a specific topic within the field of higher education

Additionally, a self-directed option for completing Master's in Higher Education is available.

Upcoming Start Dates

Online Term Start Date Application Deadline
Spring B March 13, 2023 February 13, 2023
Fall A August 21, 2023 July 27, 2023
Fall B October 16, 2023 September 21, 2023
Spring A January 2, 2024 December 1, 2023
Spring B March 12, 2024 February 15, 2024

Geneva’s Master of Arts in Higher Education is committed to contextualized Learning.

We believe that classroom learning is enhanced by hands-on experience with college students and university programs.  During your matriculation in our program, six hundred hours of work in the field is required.  Students in our Institutes Model meet this requirement through their position at their home institution.  Some of the students in our Cohort Model may be employed full or part time by an institution in our vicinity. For the remainder of the students in our cohort model we provide two opportunities to meet the contextualized learning requirement. 

Graduate Assistantships

The first and most common way to satisfy the requirement is through the Graduate Assistantship (GA) program.  These assistantships are normally nine-month positions requiring 20 hours a week and are generally renewable for a second year.  GAs are paid a small monthly stipend and receive a one-third reduction in program tuition while they are employed as a GA.

Only students who have completed applications for the MA in Higher Education Program will be considered for these positions. While there is no application deadline, students are encouraged to apply by March 15th to be considered for all GA positions. Later applicants may have fewer graduate assistantship opportunities.

On campus interviews will be held March - May. For more info email hed@geneva.edu

Students may apply for multiple positions.

Application for Assistantships

Practicum

The second way to meet the requirement is through a practicum experience.  This experience requires the student to complete four units of practicum (each unit lasting one semester).  Each practicum is equivalent to 150 hours and the student works 10 hours a week.  Practicum students do not receive a stipend but will receive a reduction in tuition.  Practicums are ideal for students who do not receive an assistantship, have outside employment, or chose not to pursue an assistantship.  The classroom learning is greatly enhanced by these hands-on experiences with college student or programs.

Both the assistantship and practicum programs occur in a variety of professional settings:  campus ministry, career services, student activities and programming, residence life, assessment, learning support, teaching assistant, coaching, etc.

Your Career Possibilities

As a graduate of our master’s degree in Higher Education, you could find career opportunities in the following work settings:

  • Academic Advising
  • Academic Affairs
  • Administrative Leadership
  • Admissions
  • Alumni Relations
  • Assessment
  • Athletics
  • Campus Ministry
  • Career Services
  • Coaching
  • College Teaching
  • Distance Education
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Enrollment Management
  • Financial Aid
  • Institutional Advancement
  • Institutional Affairs
  • International Student Affairs
  • Leadership Development
  • Marketing
  • Residence Life
  • Service Learning
  • Student Affairs
  • Student Activities
  • Study Abroad
  • Student Government

For students with unique scheduling needs, we work with you to ensure that you can fulfill all program requirements through both models with an extended timeframe. Please feel free to discuss your situation with us.

Test Drive MAHE with a 4+1.5 Program

Undergraduate students in their junior and senior years at Geneva can take up to 3 courses from our Master's in Higher Education program. These courses are applied as both undergraduate and graduate credits, and students may apply their undergraduate financial aid. If you continue on to earn a MAHE degree, this saves you up to a quarter of the cost and time it takes to earn your degree!

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