Admissions

M.Ed. in Higher Education Degree

The M.Ed. in Higher Education is a 36-hour degree program designed to provide students with the foundation and resources necessary to understand and analyze how universities and colleges work. Graduates of our program are prepared to take on roles in a wide range of higher education settings and assume many key roles in activities such as admissions, advising, student activities, administration, and policy analysis.

Deadlines

Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

2. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

3. Official copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts where a degree has been conferred or you have received 9 or more credit hours.

   Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
   gradappmaterials@smu.edu

   Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
   Graduate Application Processing
   PO Box 518
   Dallas, TX 75275-0518

4. Essay Writing Sample
   Submit an academic paper from prior coursework that demonstrates your analytic and written communication abilities. In lieu of a prior paper, you may submit a 3-5 page paper that addresses specific issues facing higher education today.

5. Personal Statement
   Applicants should prepare a statement of purpose, which should be between 750-1,000 words. This statement should address the factors that encouraged you to seek a degree with the SMU Higher Education Program. You may wish to address your background, personal and professional experiences that prepared you for the study of higher education, what strengths you bring to the program, and your professional goals after the completion of the M.Ed.

   Your responses should be saved and uploaded as the following
   • 12 point Times New Roman font
   • Single Spaced
   • One inch margins

6. Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references

7. A resume/curriculum vita 

8. Applicants must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication. English language proficiency will be evidenced by one of the following:
   
   1) Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States; or
   
   2) Verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing; or
   
   3) An undergraduate or graduate degree that was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States from the following list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S. Pacific Trust.

9. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for your admissions packet. Applicants who have taken the GRE general test or another standardized test (i.e. GMAT, LSAT) are welcome to submit scores. To ensure that we receive your GRE scores, please use the institution code 6660.

Application Fee: $40

Transfer Credit

Applicants may request to transfer up to six graduate credits. Requests for transfer credit are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students should submit transfer requests as soon as they are accepted into the program.

Non-Degree Seeking

Non-degree students can take individual master’s level courses in the higher education program for professional development or to familiarize themselves with the graduate program before applying as a degree-seeking student. 

Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

2. Official copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts where a degree has been conferred or you have received 9 or more credit hours.

   Official Transcripts must be sent directly by the institution to SMU.

   Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
   gradappmaterials@smu.edu

   Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
   Graduate Application Processing
   PO Box 518
   Dallas, TX 75275-0518

3. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

4. Personal Statement
   Applicants should prepare a statement of purpose, which should be between 250-500 words. This statement should address the factors that encouraged you to pursue taking a higher education course as a non-degree seeker.

5.  A resume/curriculum vita

Application Fee: $40