Higher Education, M.S.

Applications for spring and fall semester cohorts are considered on a rolling basis, with a priority application deadline of January 15. Applicants should ensure that all of the required materials are submitted by that date.

Admissions Requirements

The faculty take a holistic approach to making a decision for our master’s students. Thus, we consider your undergraduate GPA, your recommendations, your personal statement, and your resume. However, a sound academic background, particularly the last two years in college, and evidence of strong writing are weighed strongly

• Bachelor’s degree and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, including a 3.0 or better in undergraduate writing/English courses.
• A record of significant involvement and/or work in student affairs or higher education.
• An ability to write well as demonstrated in the personal statement
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation. One must be from a faculty member that has had you in class and can speak to your academic work. The other two can be from supervisors, advisors, mentors, etc. The recommendations should speak to qualities such as your ability to work with students/staff/faculty, leadership, dedication, reliability, quality of work, communication skills, ability to balance multiple responsibilities, etc.
• TOEFL scores (international students)
• Note: Our faculty take a holistic approach to making a decision for our master’s students. Thus, we consider your undergraduate GPA, your recommendations, your personal statement, and your resume. However, a sound academic background, particularly the last two years in college, and evidence of strong writing are weighed strongly.

Financial Support

• The SOE 50% Master’s Scholarship is available for students starting in or after Summer 2021! Affordably advance your career and impact the lives of others through new scholarship opportunities.
• There are many assistantship positions offered through the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience at Syracuse University that offer stipends, graduate credit, or both. We encourage you to apply ASAP (between mid-January and February 8 for the following fall) for these positions, and solicit feedback on resumes and cover letters from the department. You do not need to wait for your admissions decision before applying for assistantships. The department will also send periodic notices of positions at Syracuse and at neighboring institutions to all applicants.
• While most Graduate Assistantships in the Department of Higher Education are provided for doctoral students, some are available for master’s students.
• School of Education Endowed Scholarships, including the Joanne Blumin ‘66 Scholarship.
• Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources