Higher Education Leadership and Policy
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Designed For
The M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy (PHELP) is ideal for individuals aspiring to become transformative leaders and scholarly practitioners in higher education. Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and critical perspectives needed to navigate complex organizational systems, influence policy and create inclusive learning environments.
Career Objective
The program serves emerging professionals seeking roles related to higher education that include student life (residential life, career services, advising, enrollment management and student activities), academic affairs, financial aid, institutional research and P-16 transitions as well as roles in K-12 and postsecondary education, government agencies and non-profit organizations.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall
Deadline to Apply:
December 1
Length of Program:
Full-time: 24 months
Part-time: up to 36 months
Program Location: On campus
GRE Required? No
Lead and Shape Higher Education
The PHELP M.Ed. offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that is aligned with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education standards for professional preparation programs in student affairs.
Our students explore the historical, political, philosophical and social foundations of higher education while examining contemporary issues facing institutions today. The program is flexible and enables students to pursue their unique interests while developing sound theoretical foundations, self-reflection practices and obtaining practical experiences.
Our faculty welcomes and affirms learners of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, personalities, talents and learning styles. We believe in the co-construction of knowledge created in partnership with students and drawing on their experiences to deepen understanding of higher education populations, practices and issues.
Program Co-coordinator
Lauren Schudde
Program Co-coordinator
Michael Anthony Goodman
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Jacinda Herrera
Program Overview
Application Process
All applicants must apply through The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School application system. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the deadline. Detailed instructions are available on our How to Apply page.
The GRE is not required for admission to the PHELP program. Any submitted GRE scores will not be reviewed or considered by the admissions committee.
Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
A statement of purpose that addresses the following:
- Why you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Program in Higher Education Leadership and Policy (PHELP) at UT Austin.
- The life experiences that have influenced your decision to apply.
- Personal experiences, achievements or accomplishments that demonstrate your potential contributions to the University’s mission.
- The type of research and/or professional practice you wish to explore and the faculty member(s) you are interested in working with.
- Your career goals after completing the degree.
Three letters of recommendation submitted through the Graduate School application system.
A resume or curriculum vitae.
Questions? Contact the ELP Graduate Coordinator.
Program Requirements
Students take 18 hours of required coursework and can select electives customize their electives to meet to meet their interests and needs,with the advice and approval of a faculty mentor. Students will also have the opportunity to take courses outside the department.
Up to six hours of graduate work may be transferred from another institution and counted toward the master’s degree if approved by the student’s advisor, the graduate advisor and Graduate School.
Departmental Core (18 credit hours)
- ELP 395S Systems of Higher Education
- ELP 385T Student Affairs in HE
- ELP 385E The College Student
- ELP 395K Intro to Educational Policy
- ELP 395L Higher Education Law
- ELP 385C Contemporary Issues in HE Mgmt
PHELP Elective (9 credit hours)
- ELP 383P Individual Project (2nd Internship)
- ELP 395K Campus Cultures
- ELP 395K Legislative Issues in Higher Education
- ELP 395K Research on College Students
- ELP 395K Community Colleges
- ELP 395K LGBTQ+ Issues, Identities, and Contexts in Higher Education
- ELP 395K Educational Crises and Emergencies
- ELP 395K Leadership in Student Affairs
- ELP 395K Equity and Diversity in Higher Education
- ELP 395K Design Pedagogy and Instruction
- ELP 395K College Student Governance and Involvement
Graduate Internship (3 credit hours)
An internship of at least three semester credit hours (approximately 120 clock hours) is required.
- ELP 383N Graduate Internship
Out of Department Electives (6 hours)
Electives can be taken from different departments within the College of Education or other colleges within the University
Core Faculty
Higher education policy, politics, and finance with a focus on serving historically underserved groups
Accepting new students
Expertise on the intersection of law and educational policies and practices focused on access and equity in higher education, including affirmative action, freedom of expression and inclusion, and the use and influence of research in law.
Accepting new students
Focuses on student governance and involvement in the areas of college student government, the student body presidency, sorority/fraternity life, equity and justice issues, queer students and issues in higher education, and educational crises and emer...
Accepting new students
Bringing the experience of 28 years as dean of the College of Education, Justiz shares his expertise in topics of public policy, the politics of education, and Latin American programs in education.
Interests include academic administration, faculty in higher education, and college student development with research on college teaching and minorities in higher education.
Focuses on identifying factors that hinder or promote the success of children and families from vulnerable and underserved populations.
Examines the experiences of faculty of color at predominantly White institutions; mentoring relationships between faculty and Black students; and work-life balance in academia.
Leads the Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success Initiative focused on Latino males in education; seeks to advance research-informed policy solutions that enhance educational outcomes for students in secondary and post-seconda...
Accepting new students
Studies how to ameliorate social inequities in the United States through higher education policy; focuses on college pathways at broad-access institutions, including community colleges.
Accepting new students
Intersectional identities and experiences of Black women (students, staff, and faculty) in higher education; bell hooksian theory and Black feminism; student affairs programming; critical qualitative methodologies; student success and studying abroad...
Accepting new students
Affiliated Faculty
Manages and coordinates multiple research and evaluation grants and contracts for the Educational Research Center.
Focuses research on student success and graduation initiatives, including innovative college readiness assignments, student success programs and understanding the completion agenda.
Oversees the Center's community college relations and serves as a point of contact for state leaders, funders and national higher education organizations.
Focuses on policies, practices, and interventions that promote social mobility and reduce socioeconomic stratification in K12 and higher education.
Teaches courses that examine the intersectionality of culture, organizations, and systems of privilege, power, and difference in higher education.
Centers research on college student identity development, personal branding for student leaders, and work/life integration for student affairs administrators
AI Pedagogy, instructional design, academic technology, technology-enhanced learning, learning technologies, online education, college teaching and learning, course evaluations, design thinking, design pedagogy, learning experience design, and develo...
Focuses on university-wide campus climate initiatives such as developing inclusive classrooms, campus climate issues and support, and recruitment/retention of faculty of color at predominantly white institutions.
Additional Information
