M.A. in Higher Education (HBCU concentration)

• The history of higher education and organizational behavior
• Legal and ethical responsibilities of higher education professionals
• How to use assessment data to strategically plan, evaluate programs and make policy decisions.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, especially in situations requiring negotiation and conflict resolution
• The importance and impact of technology and social media in higher education
• How to advocate for the inclusion of policies and practices that represent the diversity and differences of students, faculty and staff at institutions of higher education
• Research, grant writing, philanthropy, fund-raising activities and sound fiscal management skills to advance institutional goals
• Knowledge and skills necessary for the effective management and administration of higher education programs and services, including the exploration of innovative solutions to contemporary social, political and economic challenges facing education institutions across the United States, including HBCUs

• Meet admission requirements of Lincoln University’s graduate studies programs.
• Submit official transcripts of all institutions attended and have an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Admission is open to all undergraduate majors.
• Applicants who have not previously passed a certification or licensing exam in related fields may be required to submit scores GRE. Please consult program advisors for specific exam requirements.
• Three letters of reference outlining the applicant’s ability to complete a rigorous graduate studies program. Leadership/administrative potential should be included with the application.
• Applicants must submit a statement of purpose (or some other appropriately original alternative). In addition to the information requested on the form, applicants should also identify and briefly discuss any higher education research project they may want to pursue during their graduate studies.
• Each applicant will be required to sign an affidavit that they will adhere to the rotation schedule for the program as is available on their GAP form (developed with the program advisor).

• Maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion through continuous enrollment. Graduate students who opt not to enroll for one or more semesters must complete a Lincoln University request for Graduate Readmission form. Graduate students who are not continuously enrolled as full-time students and/or are not making satisfactory progress toward degree completion will lose their graduate assistantship, if awarded. Students enrolled part time are not eligible for graduate assistantships.
• Maintain good standing by earning a 3.00 cumulative GPA with no more than one “C” in any course. Students who earn a grade of “C” or less in any course have one opportunity to repeat that course and raise the grade.
• Successfully complete 36 credit hours of coursework in good standing (3.00 GPA).
• Earn a passing score on the exit portfolio evaluated by three members of the Graduate Education Committee.
• Earn a passing score on a Culminating Research Project relevant to one of the areas of course content. The topic and format of this project will be developed in coordination with the program advisor and will be evaluated by three members of the graduate faculty who have experience and/or teaching knowledge of the selected field.

• HED 500 Intro to HBCUs/Trends, Issues & Assessment, 3
• HED 510 Understanding Higher Ed Administration, 3
• HED 570 Principles of Ed Leadership for Higher Ed, 3
• EDU 578 College Student Mental Health, 3
• HED 535I Introduction to Research, 1
• HED 535M Methods of Research, 1
• HED 535C Research (Capstone), 1
• HED 520 Financial Management in Higher Ed, 3
• HED 525 Philanthropy and Higher Education, 3
• HED 550 Higher Education and the Law, 3
• HED 560 Organizational Behavior in Higher Ed, 3
• HED 565 Ethical & Practical Issues in Student Affairs, 3
• HED 585 Strategic Planning/Program Evaluation, 3
• HED 590 The Diverse & Inclusive University, 3

Total credt hours: 36