higher education

The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies concentration in Higher Education prepares individuals for administrative and leadership positions in colleges and universities, and in associations and govenment agencies whose activities impact higher education. Within the concentration students may chose to emphasize administration or student affairs.

admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling GMU admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit the following:

• GMU graduate application
• Goals statement
• 3 letters of recommendation (One letter from an educational supervisor)
• 1,000 word writing sample
• Resume
• Scores from GRE or MAT not required but recommended

Apply Online At http://admissions.gmu.edu/apps

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degree requirements

Candidates for the MAIS degree in Higher Education must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate course work, including the following:

• 12 credits of CTCH courses, including the following: CTCH 621 or CTCH 601, remaining courses chosen in consultation with advisor
• 3 credits in research methodology
• 12 credits of electives (approved by the student's faculty advisor). Please see the list of courses below. A course may be chosen from the Public Affairs and International Affairs, Communication, Philosophy, and Sociology departments with permission of the Higher Education advisor and the individual department.
• 3 credits of a practicum with work on two different sites in either Administration or Student Affairs (For further detail on practicum requirements, please refer to the Higher Education Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook)
• 1 credit of MAIS 797 (proposal writing)
• 2-5 credits of MAIS 798 (project) or 5 credits of MAIS 799 (thesis) (For further detail on MAIS 798 or MAIS 799 requirements, please refer to the Higher Education Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook).
• For a copy of the Higher Education Curriculum contract:Download Concentration Contract (pdf)*  

*Not all CTCH courses are offered every semester.

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course information

The following courses will be offered in a sequence that facilitates completing the MAIS degree or the DA/Education Leadership in a timely manner*:

• CTCH 621 Higher Education in the U.S. (required) or CTCH 601 The Community College (required for students who intend to work at the two year college level)
• CTCH 645 The Contemporary College Student
• CTCH 792 or PUAD 625 Higher Education Law
• CTCH 606 Diversity in Higher Education
• CTCH 622 Organization and Administration in Higher Education
• CTCH 644 Student Services in Higher Education
• CTCH 641 Introducation to Counseling in Higher Education
• CTCH 643 Counseling Theory and Practice in Higher Education
• CTCH 624 Finance and Fiscal Management in Higher Education
• CTCH 792 (Special Topics) Institutional Effectiveness and Program Assessment
• Special Topics in Higher Education

*Not all CTCH courses are offered every semester.

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contact information

Dr. Mark Kidd
Director
mkidd1@gmu.edu (703.993.4070)