Coordinator:
V. Thandi Sulé
480E Pawley Hall
(248) 370-4339
sule@oakland.edu
Program description
The Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership degree program prepares students for leadership and administration in colleges and universities. Designed for individuals interested in entry to mid-level college administration, the program includes a core curriculum that introduces students to critical issues in higher education with an emphasis on social justice concerns. Through the selection of a cognate, students may focus their studies on academic or student affairs leadership. A capstone/internship will provide students with hands-on experience translating theory and research to practice in a college or university setting.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- July 15 for fall semester
- November 1 for winter semester (limited enrollment)
A cohort begins in the fall term. The cohort is filled on a rolling basis to a maximum of 20 students; however, applicants are requested to apply by the aforementioned deadlines. We accept a limited number of students for the winter semester. Students starting in the winter semester will work with the adviser to create a plan of study that will place them in the previous or subsequent fall cohort.
Readmission and program transfer
Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.
International application deadlines
International applications are reviewed for fall admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least nine months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by January 1 for fall admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.
Special Graduate classification
Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Students may request special graduate classification from the department beginning with the dates below.
- August 1 for fall semester
- December 1 for winter semester
Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.
University graduate application requirements
- Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
(Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
(Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- Requirements for recommendations
The recommendation forms must be from individuals in a supervisory or advisory relationship to the applicant who can address the applicant’s potential to perform at the graduate education level.
- Program specific (see specific questions for the Master of Education in higher education leadership program)
- An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department. Meeting minimal criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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