The M.S.Ed. program draws in students from all over the US and world due to its comprehensive curriculum, nationally recognized faculty, and emphasis on practical experience.
Students take core courses with their cohort then take three cognate courses in student afffairs, international education, or leadership & administration, two electives in a secondary emphasis area, plus three field experiences:
- core courses (12 credits)
- cognate courses (9 credits)
- electives (6 credits)
- field experiences (9 credits)
The 36-credit program takes full-time students two academic years or four semesters to complete.
ODU's reputation as a U.S. News & World Report top-ranked research university and its status as the most affordable university in the Commonwealth of Virginia makes your degree worth the investment.
Courses of Study
Our program's signature 1 program, 3 track approach lets students build a personalized plan of study based on their academic and professional goals with specialized career tracks in:
- international education
- leadership and administration
- student affairs
Click on the tabs below to explore the course of study for the three tracks in our program.
The Student Affairs track prepares professionals for positions in student affairs, including academic advising, campus activities, greek life, judicial affairs, multicultural affairs, orientation, and residence life.
Core Courses
- FOUN 611 Introduction to Research Methods in Education
- HIED 708 Foundations of Higher Education
- HIED 752 The Law of Higher Education
- HIED 757 Learning Environment Design and Assessment
Student Affairs Track
- HIED 710 Student Affairs Administration
- HIED 733 Professional Helping Skills in Higher Education
- HIED 745 Today's College Student
Elective Courses
Students in the student affairs track select any two (2) elective options in a secondary emphasis area:
- leadership & administration
- international education
Leadership & Administration electives include Leadership, Enrollment Management, Strategic Planning, Organization, Governance & Administration, Higher Education Politics & Policy, Applied Statistics, and special topics courses.
International Education electives include Global & Intercultural Perspectives on Student Engagement, Campus Internationalization, Global Higher Education Systems (10-day study abroad component), and special topics courses. The study abroad course may be substituted for one of the internships.
Field Experiences
- HIED 768 Internship (A)
- HIED 768 Internship (B) *
- HIED 761 Higher Education Capstone
* Note: Global Higher Education Systems (10-day study abroad over spring break) may be substituted for one of the internships. Recent study abroad courses have studied higher education in Thailand, Hong Kong/Macau, Ireland/United Kingdom.
The International Leadership track prepares professionals for positions in international education, including study abroad, international student and scholar services, international and intercultural programming, and higher education for international development.
Our program is among a small handful of programs with a specialized focus on International Education among the 350+ programs listed in NASPA's Graduate Program Directory.
Core Courses
- FOUN 611 Introduction to Research Methods in Education
- HIED 708 Foundations of Higher Education
- HIED 752 The Law of Higher Education
- HIED 757 Learning Environment Design and Assessment
International Track
- HIED 743 Campus Internationalization
- HIED 771 Global and Intercultural Perspectives in Higher Education
- HIED 744 Global Higher Education Systems*
* Includes 10-day study abroad program. Recent courses have studied higher education in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Elective Courses
Students in the student affairs track select any two (2) elective options in a secondary emphasis area:
- leadership & administration
- student affairs
- international studies
Leadership & Administration electives include Leadership, Organization, Governance & Administration, Strategic Planning, Higher Education Politics & Policy, Enrollment Management, Applied Statistics, and special topics courses.
International Studies electives include International Cultural Studies, Global Political Economy, Globalization & Social Change in the World System, Comparative Sociopolitical Studies, and special topics courses.
Student Affairs electives include Student Affairs Administration, Today's College Student, and Adult & College Student Development, and special topics courses.
Field Experiences
- HIED 768 Internship (A)
- HIED 768 Internship (B) *
- HIED 761 Higher Education Capstone
* Note: Students may take Global Higher Education Systems a second time for one of their internships.
The Leadership & Administration track prepares professionals for positions in admissions, enrollment, development, alumni relations, athletics administration, and various positions in academic administration.
Core Courses
- FOUN 611 Introduction to Research Methods in Education
- HIED 708 Foundations of Higher Education
- HIED 752 The Law of Higher Education
- HIED 757 Learning Environment Design and Assessment
Leadership & Administration Track
- HIED 712 Strategic Planning
- HIED 758 Higher Education Leadership
- HIED 794 Governance, Organization, and Administration of Higher Education
Elective Courses
Students in the leader track select any two (2) elective options in a secondary emphasis area:
- student affairs
- international education
- higher education policy
Higher Education Policy electives include External & Internal Relations, College & University Presidency, Higher Education Politics & Policy, Applied Statistics, and special topics courses..
Student Affairs electives include Enrollment Management, Today's College Student, Student Affairs Administration, Professional Helping Skills, and special topics courses.
International Education electives include: Campus Internationalization, Global & Intercultural Perspectives on Student Engagement, Global Higher Education Systems (10-day study abroad over spring break), and special topics courses.
Field Experiences
- HIED 768 Internship (A)
- HIED 768 Internship (B) *
- HIED 761 Higher Education Capstone
* Note: Global Higher Education Systems (10-day study abroad over spring break) may be substituted for one of the internships. Recent study abroad courses have studied higher education in Thailand, Hong Kong/Macau, Ireland/United Kingdom.
Looking To Transition Into Higher Education From Another Field?
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) is a 30-credit post-master's program designed for people with master's degrees in other fields who wish to transition into higher education administration from other careers and industries, as well as for administrators in higher education who desire professional advancement.
Graduate Assistantships
All full-time M.S.Ed. students will be considered for graduate assistantships. We seek to match full-time M.S.Ed. students with graduate assistantships that fit their academic and professional interests. Although not a requirement of the program, assistantships complement and enrich students' academic experiences. Admitted students interview for multiple GA opportunities at Monarch Preview Days. View the Graduate Assistantship Information Excel sheet for more information.
Assistantships are available in a variety of offices around ODU and at nearby institutions (VWU, NSU, TCC, etc.), including:
- Student Affairs: Advising & Academic Support; Career Development Services; Fraternity & Sorority Life; Housing & Residence Life; Leadership & Student Activities; Living-Learning Communities; and Recreation & Wellness
- Administration & Leadership: Admissions & Enrollment Management; Assessment & Data Analysis; Equity & Diversity; Institutional Advancement; Service Learning & Civic Engagement; and Student Conduct & Academic Integrity.
- International: Intercultural Initiatives; International Programs; International Student Services; and Study Abroad.
Master's-level graduate assistantship benefits include a stipend (typically $5,000/semester).Many ODU GAs include an out-of-state tuition waiver; out-of-state students who receive an out-of-state tuition waiver will be charged tuition at the in-state rate.
All ODU GAs receive travel support for professional development to attend and present at national conferences, e.g. NASPA, ACPA, NAFSA, SACSA, etc.
Health insurance is available to all degree-seeking graduate students. Eligible students may enroll in the health insurance program on a semester-by-semester basis.
New to Blue: New Student Experience
Your New to Blue: New Student Experience includes three unique phases that will outline your required orientation activities, provide you with an online orientation course, and prepare you to visit campus.
Points of Pride
One program, three track approach allows HIED MSED students to take core courses and field experiences with their cohort while specializing in one of three tracks:
- international education
- leadership & administration
- student affairs
Our cohort-based approach provides a a built-in support system, social group, and network; M.S.Ed. cohorts are typically about 16 students.
Our program is one of four programs in the U.S. with a specialized focus on International Education among over 350+ programs listed in NASPA's Graduate Program Directory.
Southern coastal Virginia is also a great place to live and work, and it's within driving distance to the Outer Banks, Washington D.C., and the Shenandoah Mountains.
- Students have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. (fall) to meet with policymakers and higher education association leaders. View photos from this year's DC Policy Program.
- ODU GAs receive travel support for professional development to attend and present at national conferences, e.g. NASPA, ACPA, NAFSA, SACSA, etc.
- Students can travel abroad on a different 10-day study abroad experience each year in HIED 744 Global Higher Education Systems. Recent courses have studied higher education in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The study abroad may be substituted for one of the internships.
- ODU's President John Broderick teaches courses on the College and University Presidency ("ODU president teaches his potential successors" Source: The Virginian Pilot) and External and Internal Relations for Higher Education.
Watch a video with highlights of our 2018 Thailand Study Abroad program and read a full-description of our global partnership with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Students join our growing network of almost 500 alumni serving in the U.S. and world and #FirstGen students become #NextGen leaders.
- Students complete two internships, plus a capstone course which culminates in a portfolio aligned with ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies.
- Students have opportunities for up to eight interviews for 48+ different assistantships and internship at different types of higher education institutions in the region, including research universities, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, and community colleges.
- Students participate in our Spring Career Development Series to prepare for the job search and on-campus interviews.
- HESA, our student-led organization, sponsors a mentoring program where students are paired with early-mid career student affairs professionals in offices across the university.
ODU believes diversity drives innovation and creativity, and fosters academic excellence. We are among the top-ranked universities in CollegeNet's Social Mobility Index for a high-quality education that provides economic opportunity.
There is no typical student with the exception that all students share a desire to provide leadership in higher education. Students come with a rich mix of academic, professional, and life experiences, including:
- recent graduates with bachelor's and/or master's degrees in psychology, international studies, public administration, or business;
- full- and part-time professionals already working at higher education institutions; and
- working professionals from social services, the military, and industry looking to change careers.
Our program has an international reputation for academic excellence, attracting students from around the world with current students in our department from Greece, Brazil, Lebanon, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Hungary, China, Indonesia, Iraq, a number of whom are Fulbright scholarship recipients. #YouAreWelcomeHere
Read Op-Ed: "Valuing diversity and inclusivity in higher education" by President John R. Broderick
One program, three track approach allows HIED MSED students to take core courses and field experiences with their cohort while specializing in one of three tracks:
- international education
- leadership & administration
- student affairs
Our cohort-based approach provides a a built-in support system, social group, and network; M.S.Ed. cohorts are typically about 16 students.
Our program is one of four programs in the U.S. with a specialized focus on International Education among over 350+ programs listed in NASPA's Graduate Program Directory.
Southern coastal Virginia is also a great place to live and work, and it's within driving distance to the Outer Banks, Washington D.C., and the Shenandoah Mountains.
- Students have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. (fall) to meet with policymakers and higher education association leaders. View photos from this year's DC Policy Program.
- ODU GAs receive travel support for professional development to attend and present at national conferences, e.g. NASPA, ACPA, NAFSA, SACSA, etc.
- Students can travel abroad on a different 10-day study abroad experience each year in HIED 744 Global Higher Education Systems. Recent courses have studied higher education in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The study abroad may be substituted for one of the internships.
- ODU's President John Broderick teaches courses on the College and University Presidency ("ODU president teaches his potential successors" Source: The Virginian Pilot) and External and Internal Relations for Higher Education.
Watch a video with highlights of our 2018 Thailand Study Abroad program and read a full-description of our global partnership with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Students join our growing network of almost 500 alumni serving in the U.S. and world and #FirstGen students become #NextGen leaders.
- Students complete two internships, plus a capstone course which culminates in a portfolio aligned with ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies.
- Students have opportunities for up to eight interviews for 48+ different assistantships and internship at different types of higher education institutions in the region, including research universities, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, and community colleges.
- Students participate in our Spring Career Development Series to prepare for the job search and on-campus interviews.
- HESA, our student-led organization, sponsors a mentoring program where students are paired with early-mid career student affairs professionals in offices across the university.
ODU believes diversity drives innovation and creativity, and fosters academic excellence. We are among the top-ranked universities in CollegeNet's Social Mobility Index for a high-quality education that provides economic opportunity.
There is no typical student with the exception that all students share a desire to provide leadership in higher education. Students come with a rich mix of academic, professional, and life experiences, including:
- recent graduates with bachelor's and/or master's degrees in psychology, international studies, public administration, or business;
- full- and part-time professionals already working at higher education institutions; and
- working professionals from social services, the military, and industry looking to change careers.
Our program has an international reputation for academic excellence, attracting students from around the world with current students in our department from Greece, Brazil, Lebanon, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Hungary, China, Indonesia, Iraq, a number of whom are Fulbright scholarship recipients. #YouAreWelcomeHere
Read Op-Ed: "Valuing diversity and inclusivity in higher education" by President John R. Broderick
Student Profiles
Learn about the program firsthand from some of our current students.
How To Apply
M.S.Ed. fall semester applicant review begins January 1st and continues on a rolling basis until May 1st. Fall applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible in preparation for Monarch Preview Days in March. M.S.Ed. spring semester applicants must apply by October 1st. To apply to the program:
- Complete an online application, and pay application fee;
- Upload unofficial transcripts from previous educational institutions;
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.
Applicants also upload supplemental materials including:
- A CV or resume that describes the your academic and professional background;
- 1-page Essay/Statement of Purpose that addresses: What are your professional interests and goals? Why are you interested in higher education? Why do you wish to obtain a MSEd?
- A writing sample from undergraduate coursework;
- Two (2) letters of recommendation: one academic, one professional. At least one letter must come from a professor or an individual who describes the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Applicants will enter the emails for references in the online system, and references will be emailed a link to upload a letter of recommendation on letterhead and complete the online reference form.
No additional forms need to be submitted with your online application to be considered for graduate assistantships (GAs). Admitted students are automatically eligible for GAs, so applicants do NOT need to complete the optional Application for Institutional Graduate Financial Assistance form to be considered for GAs.
The GRE is not required to apply to the program. Email us at hied@odu.edu if we can help you at any time throughout your application process.
Candidates starting in the fall will be invited to campus for our Monarch Preview Days to preview the program and have the opportunity to interview for graduate assistantships. Although not a requirement of the program, assistantships complement and enrich students' academic experiences. Candidates starting in the spring will be interviewed and matched on a one-on-one basis.