843-953-5097
zuckerfamilysoe@citadel.edu
https://go.citadel.edu/counselor-education/graduate-programs/med-higher-education-leadership/

Dr. Tara Hornor, Program Coordinator tara.hornor@citadel.edu
Dr. Guy Ilagan, gilagan@citadel.edu
Dr. Aaron H. Oberman, Division Coordinator aaron.oberman@citadel.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of the Counselor Education Programs at The Citadel is to prepare elementary and secondary school counselors, college student affairs specialists, and higher education leaders to have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be principled educational leaders who are knowledgeable, reflective, and ethical professionals, committed to the provision of an educational environment focused toward a learner-centered education.

The Division of Counselor Education offers an M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Graduate Certificates in Student Affairs and Higher Education Leadership.

Admission Requirements

Applicants from diverse academic, social, and cultural backgrounds committed to advancing the higher education field are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet a specific requirement (e.g., GPA), but show strength in other requirements will be considered on an individual basis. Admission is not based on any single factor, but on a composite assessment of the application materials.

1. Completion of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee.
2. Submit official transcripts from the undergraduate institution conferring the applicant’s bachelor degree and transcripts from all postgraduate institutions attended. Applicants are expected to have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average.
3. Submission of a detailed personal statement (500-1,000 words) which informs the faculty about the applicant’s personal and educational background, strengths and weaknesses, understanding of and motivation and suitability for entering into the higher education profession, and long-term professional goals.

Prior to meeting with an advisor, each student should become familiar with the current applicable semester’s class schedule and The Citadel Graduate College catalog. Students must be initially advised in order to register and to plan a schedule for completion of required courses. This plan of study takes into account the prerequisites and sequencing of coursework for successful completion of the program.

Coursework taken prior to official program admission or coursework taken in other programs does not count toward the higher education leadership program/degree without written approval from the faculty advisor and the Dean of the Zucker Family School of Education. Students who hold full-time employment should not register for more than 6 semester hours in any given term.

Division of Counselor Education Handbook

All prospective and enrolled Higher Education Leadership students are expected to read the latest edition of The Citadel, Zucker Family School of Education, Counselor Education Handbook online at: http://www.citadel.edu/counselor-education/forms/

Program Objectives

1. To provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge essential to understanding the variety of leadership roles within higher education settings.
2. To instill the ethical and professional values essential to work within the field of higher education.
3. To provide students with practical experiences in the development of their skills as leaders.
4. To instill in students the value of lifelong learning and a desire for continuous professional improvement and renewal.
5. Are directly related to program activities; and
6. Are written so that they can be assessed.

Graduates of the Higher Education Programs are expected to possess:

• An understanding of how historical, philosophical, and political influences have shaped and affected the development of higher education professional practice;
• An understanding of leadership for learner-centered education as a conceptual framework;
• An ability to integrate theory and research into practice;
• An understanding of the counseling process;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Skills to work in a rapidly changing and diverse society including differences as gender, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and religion;
• Skills required to work effectively with students, faculty and staff, administrators, and the community;
• An ability to assist students in responding to stresses and crises generated by changes in family, personal relationships, the school, and the community;
• Skills needed to effectively use technology;
• Leadership qualities in education at the local, state, regional, and national levels;
• A commitment to lifelong personal and professional development; and
• An ability to model the highest professional and ethical standards through professional practice, research, and service.

Higher Education Leadership Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership degree program complete the Higher Education Leadership Core and College Counselor Education Courses for a total of 36 credit hours.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Student Affairs complete four courses from the following list: EDUC 537 , EDUC 538 , EDUC 539 , EDUC 563  , EDUC 564  , and EDUC 613 . The courses focus on the areas of student services, student development, historical and contemporary aspects of higher education, and administration. Students have the option to complete course EDUC 634 - Practicum in Student Affairs and College Counseling .

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership complete four courses from the following list: EDUC 539 , EDUC 530 , EDUC 533 , EDUC 534 , and EDUC 564  . The courses focus on the areas of administration, higher education finance, strategic planning and assessment, and leadership.

The majority of these courses are also required of the MEd in Higher Education Leadership degree program. However, students considering applying to the MEd in Higher Education Leadership program will need to meet the admissions requirements before being accepted into the program. (See Graduate Certificate  section for details.)

Transfer of Credits

Higher Education Leadership M.Ed. degree applicants may transfer a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework taken at other accredited institutions.

Field Experience Requirements

Higher Education Leadership students must formally request permission from the faculty advisor or clinical coordinator to enroll in practicum or internship. This request is submitted in the form of a proposal for field experience, which must be completed during the term prior to the field experience.

Practicum is an extended field experience designed for students already working at an advanced level in higher education. Students work under the supervision of a site supervisor as well as The Citadel instructor. Students are required to spend a minimum of 100 clock-hours in a higher education setting, complete a course project, as well as participate in weekly online discussions with other practicum students and The Citadel instructor.

Higher Education Leadership students must complete all coursework before placement in an internship setting. Students will be required to spend a minimum of 300 supervised hours in a higher education setting for internship. Interns are supervised by the field site supervisor, as well as The Citadel instructor.