Higher Education, M.S.

Priority Application Deadline: January 15 (fall semester start). Applicants should ensure that all of the required materials are submitted by that date.

Contact the department for consideration for a summer semester start.
Materials for graduate assistantships should be submitted by January 31 (see section on this page for details).

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)

Graduate Assistantships

A graduate assistantship (GA or GAship) provides tuition credits and/or a stipend for about 20 hours of work a week. These are not required for Higher Education students, but many of our students hold assistantships in offices like Residence Life, Student Activities, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, LGBT Resource Center, or Health and Promotion Services for about 20 hours per week.

Full-time master’s degree applicants interested in pursuing a graduate assistantship should email their cover letter and resume/CV (as attachments) to hied@syr.edu by Monday, January 31, 2023. This will ensure they are reviewed in time to be invited for an interview during our Spring Open House, March 6-7, 2023. You can also email us with any questions about GA roles or the process, or for assistance with your cover letter or resume.

Financial Support

• 50% tuition scholarships for ALL master’s students who start by spring 2024! Affordably advance your career and impact the lives of others through new scholarship opportunities.
• School of Education Endowed Scholarships, including the Joanne Blumin ‘66 Scholarship.
• Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources

Program Contacts

Speranza Migliore, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment

smiglior@syr.edu|315.443.2505