Higher Education Administration Archives

Higher Ed Administration Spotlight: Research by Dr. Meghan Pifer

By Ashley Jefferson | August 6, 2018

At its core, higher education is primarily focused on the growth and development of students. However, students are not the only ones to learn or to grow—nor should they be.

Continuous faculty development is an integral part of any successful institution. In fact, in today’s higher education environment, developing and enhancing learning and teaching methods is more important than ever. To that end, studies are conducted and distributed regularly to help foster more effective instructors.

Published in November 2017 and written in part by University of Louisville professor Dr. Meghan Pifer, “Developing Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges: Aligning Individual Needs and Organizational Goals,” is a great example of such a study.

Dr. Pifer’s research covers everything from finding mentors to how entry-level faculty make the transition from sitting in the classroom to standing in front of the class. The study is based on faculty career development data across 13 institutions and the result is a compelling proposal for the faculty development in liberal arts colleges—both for the benefit of the professors and the institutions, and also the students they serve.

Who is Dr. Meghan Pifer?

Currently a professor with the University of Louisville’s School of Education and Human Development, Dr. Pifer has an extensive research background immersed in studying how individuality and work partnerships intersect and impact outcomes for each member of the team as well as the trajectory of an organization as a whole.

The publication of this book is a notable step in Dr. Pifer’s research career, and we look forward to seeing her continued positive impact on higher education.

Dr. Pifer’s ongoing contribution to the field of higher education makes her a valued member of the UofL team. Not only has she been a faculty member for the online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration (MAHEA) program since 2016, Dr. Pifer also teaches for the traditional program and serves as the Senior Assistant Director for the Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development.

About the Online MAHEA Program

The online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration program is largely oriented toward addressing challenges of leadership and administration within contemporary higher education, with concentrations in Administration, Teaching & Learning, Policy and Equity or Sports Administration.

The MAHEA program is part of a growing portfolio of Online Learning degrees and certificate opportunities. As a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the intellectual, cultural and economic development of our diverse community of learners, the Online Learning programs deliver a long tradition of excellence—epitomizing the University of Louisville’s dedication to lifelong learning for both students and faculty.

Accelerated Courses in Master’s in Higher Education Administration Online

By admin | December 1, 2016

In response to student interest, the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville will be piloting an accelerated curriculum for the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online program. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in a select few graduate courses delivered in an 8-week accelerated format beginning in Spring 2017. This pilot program is available to all students interested in experimenting with this format, including active duty military.

The main benefit of the accelerated courses is that students will be able to focus on one course at the time. These courses will cover the same materials and have the same learning outcomes as the traditional 16-week courses and will be offered in two terms within the semester, January 9 – March 3 and March 6 – April 28.

Accelerated Courses Available:

Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education (ELFH 680-50)
Resource Management in Postsecondary Education (ELFH 684-50; ELFH 684-51; ELFH 684-52; ELFH 684-53)
Diversity in Higher Education (ELFH 694-50; ELFH 694-51; ELFH 694-52, ELFH 694-55)

For federal financial aid purposes, students must be enrolled in both terms, for the entire 16 weeks. Grades for the first accelerated term will not be officially posted on transcripts until the end of the regular academic semester (after May 2, 2017), but students may receive information about grades from the instructor following the conclusion of a first accelerated term/class.

Optional weekend meetings will be available for two of the courses, Resource Management and Diversity in Higher Education, to allow students to further accelerate their studies by completing much of the course content over one weekend. The weekend meetings will be offered via videoconference as well as in person at the University of Louisville Belknap Campus.

This semester-long pilot program will allow the Higher Education Administration online program team to evaluate the demand, student outcomes and effectiveness of the accelerated courses and formulate a strategy for opening this opportunity to more courses and online programs offered within the College of Education and Human Development at UofL.

For more information about deadlines and the synchronous weekend meetings, visit the College of Education and Human Development website. To learn more about the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online program, visit our website.

Guest Post: Perspective from a Masters in Higher Ed Student

By admin | May 26, 2016

As a first generation college student, going to college was never a “given.” When I graduated high school, I began working full-time, just as everyone else in my family did. After working for several years, I realized that my family’s path was not my path, and that I wanted to further my education. So at the age of 25, I enrolled in classes comprised mostly of 18-year-olds. While this experience was terrifying in many ways, it made me realize how important education was to me, and it ultimately motivated me to continue on to graduate school after completing my bachelor’s degree in English.

After finishing a master’s in English, I found myself in a job that I was not fully satisfied with. I wanted to advance my career, but I needed to continue to work full-time. The University of Louisville’s Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration (MAHEA) program was the perfect fit for both of my needs. All of the jobs that I wanted to apply for required this degree, and the ability to take it online allowed me to juggle graduate school with a full-time job. Since enrolling, I have moved into a position that better suits my interests, and I know that my career prospects will only continue to grow from here.

Having completed a “traditional” face-to-face master’s degree, I was curious about the differences that I would experience with the online format – would the classes be more challenging? Less challenging? Would I really be able to engage with my classmates and professors? Fortunately, all of my fears were dispelled during my first semester in UofL’s online MAHEA program. I have found the coursework to be rigorous, the professors to be responsive, and my classmates to be both diverse and inspiring.

One of my favorite aspects of the MAHEA program is that I can tailor the coursework to my goals and work environment and apply it to real-world scenarios. Each course has a culminating assignment, and for most of the classes, it is possible to focus this project on my specific area of interest. For example, I am interested in tutoring services, so for my final project for the Research Methodology course, I designed a writing-center-specific research study. Similarly, for the History of the American University’s final project, I researched an artifact I selected from the earliest American writing centers.

The quality of the courses is due in large part to the applied expertise and dedication of the professors who teach them. They are the same professors that teach on campus, and they put forth the extra effort to make sure the virtual environment feels as much like a community as a traditional classroom does. Many of the professors provide weekly feedback on discussion board posts, and they are all very happy to answer questions via email. While online classes are certainly more self-taught than traditional classes, I know there is always someone that I can reach out to for guidance and assistance if I need it.

Weekly discussion board posts also help me connect and stay engaged with my classmates, and making these connections has been the most surprising benefit of the online program. When I was considering enrolling, I only thought about the courses and the professors–not who would be learning in these courses with me. Yet, because the classes are so diverse–and include people of widely different professional and academic backgrounds from all over the country–the weekly conversations are rich and complex and aid significantly in my overall understanding of the material.

Ultimately, the online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I have enjoyed the program so much, that I am planning on applying for the PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development after I graduate in 2017. Although I am not yet sure what position I will end up in when I finish the PhD, I know that the MAHEA program has given me the foundation necessary to pursue a wide variety of career paths. If you are looking for a way to advance (or start) your career in higher ed, I can’t recommend this program strongly enough.

Online Higher Ed. Administration program recognized nationally

By admin | November 7, 2014

The University of Louisville’s online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration program is the nation’s third best online education degree program, according to TheBestSchools.org.

The site ranked the top 25 programs, based on a combination of academic excellence, types of available classes, faculty strength, other rankings and reputation.

Among other areas, higher education professionals work in student affairs, academic affairs, fundraising, admissions, registrar, financial aid and advising services, while some degree seekers also work in management positions at nonprofit foundations, international associations and government agencies.

According to TheBestSchools.org, the Master in Higher Education degree “prepares graduates to solve the many challenging issues facing higher education institutions. These degree programs train higher education professionals to plan, oversee, and increase the effectiveness of higher education.”

In choosing the 100% online Higher Education Administration program at UofL, the site cited the university’s high research activity and accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

“The 100-percent online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration 36-credit hour degree provides graduates with an opportunity to find careers in two-year and four-year colleges and universities,” the site noted. “Students can complete the degree program in as little as two years. The degree plan of study includes core coursework and an internship in a post-secondary education setting.”

The write-up also highlighted particular courses offered in the Higher Education Administration program, including Philosophy of Higher Education, The American College and University and Research Methods and Statistics.

To learn more about the program, including the full degree map and course descriptions, visit the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online.

Tag: Higher Education Administration