About Our Program
Mission
The mission of the Master of Arts in Higher Education Program (MHE) at Elon University is to prepare leaders to create and execute institutional mission, vision, and priorities and support college students in their learning and development in a variety of higher education settings. Graduates will be visionary professionals who think critically about their work as ethical decision makers and advocates for social justice.
Program Highlights
Master in Higher Education students benefit from the program’s emphasis on:
High Impact Practices: The Association of American Colleges and Universities has identified eight high impact educational practices shown to be beneficial to students from many backgrounds. Elon has been recognized for excellence in all eight practices! Students learn the theory and application of these high impact practices during a first-year seminar and have opportunities to engage in many of them (diversity/global learning, internships, capstone, etc.) throughout the two-year program.
Study away: In the second year of the program, students participate in a winter term study abroad experience. There is no additional charge for this global experience. Elon is ranked the nation’s top master’s-level university for the number of students participating in international study; we are excited to build upon the University’s global commitment in the MHE Program.
Experiential learning: Aligned with Elon’s commitment to experiential learning, the MHE program allows students to gain extensive professional experience, including a two-year paid apprenticeship and two semester-long internships. The combination of the apprenticeship and multiple internships ensures that students graduate from the MHE program with experience in multiple higher education functions.
Professional development: The MHE program recognizes that professional learning does not stop with completion of a master’s degree; rather, the journey is just beginning. All MHE students receive guidance in the development and implementation of personalized professional development plan. In addition, MHE students receive funding to support their participation in regional and national professional development events.
Monthly colloquia: All MHE students come together each semester for a colloquia series on “Contemporary Topics in Higher Education.” Elon students, faculty, and professionals and/or invited higher education experts lead these discussion-based seminars, often over a brown-bag, lunch.