Curriculum - admitted Fall 2010 to Summer 2011

M.Ed. in Higher Education

These are the M.Ed. Higher Education degree requirements for those admitted Fall 2010 - Summer 2011. Students under the prior requirements will have the option to elect these new requirements with the permission of their advisor effective Spring 2011.

Degree Requirements

Total Hours: 36
Practicum: Required
Comprehensive: Electronic Portfolio
Thesis: None

Length of the Program: Full-time students can finish in 2 years or less. Part-time students take 3 to 6 semester hours (one or two classes) per semester and can complete the program in 3 years or less with summer school enrollment. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program (See SOE Policy: Time Limit for Degree Completion‌)

Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in higher education are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. (See SOE Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Enrollment)

A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Associate Dean.

Curriculum Plan: Completion of this M.Ed. degree requires 36 semester hours and completion of a final electronic portfolio.

Core Courses (24 semester hours)
Students must earn a B- or better in these core courses to fulfill the degree requirements. Students may only repeat a core course once. If a grade of B- is not earned, the student will be dismissed from the program. Note: Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. (See SOE Policy: Academic Standing - Grade Point Average.) 

• RMTD 400 Research Methods
• ELPS 419 Leadership in Higher Education
• ELPS 427 American Higher Education
• ELPS 431 Evaluation in Higher Education
• ELPS 432 Multiculturalism for Social Justice in Higher Education
• ELPS 433 Student Development in Higher Education 
• ELPS 459 Organization and Governance in Higher Education
• ELPS 527 Internship in Higher Education

Elective Courses (12 semester hours) Choose from:

• ELPS 425 Student Affairs Profession in Higher Education
• ELPS 429 Spirituality in Higher Education
• ELPS 430 Curriculum in Higher Education
• ELPS 434 The American College Student
• ELPS 435 Enrollment Management in Higher Education
• ELPS 453 Legal Aspects of Higher Education
• ELPS 454 Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education 
• ELPS 527 Internship in Higher Education (second internship only if student has no prior supervised experience in the field or does not obtain this experience while in the program - i.e. graduate assistantship, full-time position in the field, etc.)

Note: Other elective courses available

Comprehensive Assessment
Comprehensive electronic portfolio is required.  Instructions with due dates
As part of your completion of the master's degree, you will be asked to maintain and submit a portfolio of your best work completed at Loyola University Chicago. You will also present to a self-chosen committee about your experience and reflect on your growth during the program. To help facilitate your portfolio, we have begun using a system called ePortfolio (www.luc.edu/eportfolio). ePortfolio is a piece of software that is web based and gives you access to easily organize your portfolio, upload papers and presentations, and request feedback. You will be able to access ePortfolio from any internet-connected computer to develop your portfolio. After you complete the portfolio for the program, you can then turn it into a website to highlight your professional identity for potential employers and colleagues.

Comprehensive applications are due: 

• Fall Exam - August 1
• Spring Exam - December 1

Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:

• August 1 for December conferral
• December 1 for May conferral
• February 1 for August conferral

Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application is required for a subsequent semester.