The Department of Educational Administration offers the Masters Degree in Educational Administration via distance / distributed Education. The program is a generalist program offering learning opportunities in leadership development and in areas related to higher education. Students also have opportunities to give special attention to areas of interest by choosing courses in topics of special interest such as student affairs, distance education, instructional administration, and others as may be appropriate.

The program offers an affordable, high quality education to students who have a desire to pursue a masters freed from time and space limitations. The programs are designed to serve those who are working in higher education, those who wish to be involved in higher education in teaching or administrative roles, and those outside of education for whom the topics of study would be appropriate. The program is of benefit to many practitioners currently working in community colleges, public and private four-year institutions, and universities. The program provides opportunities for those who wish to become leaders in higher education and seek the background and skills which will enable them to be effective.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS DEGREE PROGRAM?

The program is of benefit to many practitioners working in community colleges, technical institutes and colleges, four year colleges, and universities throughout the world. Those interested include:

those in entry level positions seeking the masters degree as a step toward professional growth and advancement

those seeking opportunities to study the various aspects of higher education in a collaborative setting involving other professionals

those seeking opportunities to expand their horizons

those preparing for leadership roles in colleges and universities and seeking an advanced degree to support that preparation

those preparing for or engaged in administrative roles in colleges and universities

those seeking to utilized the concepts, ideas, and skills in the programs to support activities in organizations and institutions other than higher education.

The program is offered by the Department of Educational Administration, Teachers College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and carries all accreditations carried by the University, the College, and the Department. The program is the regular doctoral program of the Department and as such the program does not need or carry separate program accreditation. Included among the accreditations carried by the University is that of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

THE DEGREE / DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The department offers the Master of Arts or Master of Education degree with a major in Educational Administration.

A 30-42 month program format is anticipated which will enable students to progress at reasonable rates. Students have a high degree of time and location freedom while maintaining continuous interaction with faculty and other students. The program is generally 36 credit hours with some options regarding the research paper or thesis.

Upon a student's admission, an advisor will be appointed and the Memorandum of Courses will be developed. The student and the appointed advisor together with the supervisory committee create the Memorandum of Courses which will identify the coursework to be taken to complete the degree. They also identify previously taken coursework which can be utilized toward the degree requirements.

The Master of Arts is 30 hours including a thesis of 6 to 10 hours. The M. ED. is 36 hours including the Option II paper. A sample structure for an M. ED program follows. Slight adjustments are made for the M.A. degree.

Educational Administration Courses : Minimum 18 hours
Supporting Courses: Minimum 6 hours
Practicum or Internship: Minimum 3 hours
Electives: Minimum is those required for completion of f 36 total hours

The following is an SAMPLE of an outline of courses for the Masters Degree in Educational Administration with courses focusing on higher education. This outline is designed to accommodate students using distance / distributed learning. This is a SAMPLE outline only; a student’s Memorandum of Courses will be determined by the student and her/his advisor following the student’s admission into the department / program.

Students also have opportunities to give special attention to areas of interest by choosing courses in topics of special interest such as student affairs, distance education, instructional administration, and others as may be appropriate. In the sample outline of courses, it was anticipated that these support courses would be in Part B: Supporting Courses or Part D: Electives. It is also possible to focus one's research in the area of interest.

A MINIMUM OF 36 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR TOTAL PROGRAM

A. EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION (Minimum of 18 hours required)
Choose 18 hours from among the following courses:
EDAD 910: Higher Education Environment (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 921: Higher Education Administrative Issues (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 922: Economics and Finance of Higher Education (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 923: The Community / Junior College (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 925: Higher Education Law (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 907: Issues in Educational Politics and Policies (3 cr hrs)
EDAD 981: Introduction to Research (3 cr hrs)

B SUPPORTING COURSES (Minimum of 6 hours required)
Choose 6 hours from among the following courses:
CURR 832: History and Philosophy of Higher Education (3 cr hrs)
EDPS 859: Statistical Methods (3 cr hrs)
Other courses which are not EDAD courses may be selected including courses supporting a program area.

C PRACTICUM OR INTERNSHIP (Minimum of 3 hours required)
Choose at least 3 hours from among the following courses:
EDAD 811: Practicum in Educational Administration (3 - 4 cr hrs)
EDAD 991: Field Studies in Education (1 -3 cr hrs, max. 6)
EDAD 998: Internship in Educational Administration (1 - 6 cr hrs, may be repeated, max. 12)

D. ELECTIVES
Choose electives from among the following courses:
EDAD 899: Masters Thesis (6 - 10 cr hrs)
EDAD 896: Independent Study (1 - 6 cr hrs)
Courses not previously selected from A and B above and / or courses supporting a program area

A chart showing when (semester or session) higher education courses are generally offered is shown in the the Courses and Costs link in this web site.

Be admitted to Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For on-line application see the web at http://www.unl.edu/gradstud

Make application to and be admitted to the Masters Program in Educational Administration. Necessary for the support of the application are: the application form (included in the Application Packet); the letter of application; a resume; letters of application; and an official report of the GRE or MAT scores.