Track Description
The Higher Education/Student Personnel Track in the Educational Leadership MA program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in student personnel administration in higher education and education-related fields.
Higher Education Professionals work in a variety of settings on college and university campuses, from financial aid, orientation, and residence life to athletics, international services, and student activities. They provide services and develop programs that affect all aspects of students’ lives inside and outside of the classroom.
Given the focus of the program, this master’s degree does not lead to fulfillment of K-12 teacher certification requirements.
Curriculum
The Higher Education/Student Personnel track in the Educational Leadership MA program requires a minimum of 39 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including six credit hours of core courses, 24 credit hours of specialization, three credit hours of electives, six credit hours of professional field experience, and passing a comprehensive exam at the end of studies.
Given the focus of the program, this master’s degree does not lead to the fulfillment of K-12 teacher certification requirements.
Total Credit Hours Required: 39 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Required Courses: 30 Credit Hours
Core: 6 Credit Hours
- EDF 6481 - Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDF 6432 - Measurement and Evaluation in Education 3 Credit Hours or
- EDF 6401 - Statistics for Educational Data 3 Credit Hours
Specialization: 24 Credit Hours
Select 8 courses from the following list.
- EDH 6635 - Organization and Administration of Higher Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6065 - History and Philosophy of Higher Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6505 - Finance in Higher Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6935 - Capstone Seminar in College Student Personnel 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6407 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Student Personnel 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6634 - Student Personnel Services in Higher Education 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6047 - Theories of College Student Development 3 Credit Hours
- EDH 6105 - Retention Strategies in Colleges and Universities 3 Credit Hours
Elective Courses: 3 Credit Hours
- Electives approved by adviser
Professional Field Experience: 6 Credit Hours
- EDH 6946 - Internship VAR Credit Hours
- EDH 6947 - Practicum in Student Personnel 3 Credit Hours
Independent Learning
Both an internship and practicum are required for completing the degree, in addition to a capstone seminar.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- NOTE: The GRE has been removed as an admission requirement for this graduate program for applicants applying Spring 2021 through the Fall 2021 term. This is a temporary measure in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Three letters of recommendation, with one being from a staff, administrator, or faculty at a college or university familiar with your involvement or engagement in postsecondary education.
- Resumé.
- Personal statement explaining your past, present, and future involvement in events or activities related to your development in College Student Personnel.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
An individual and group interview may be required. The Higher Education/Student Personnel track admits in fall term only.
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline listed below.
| Higher Education / Student Personnel | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
