BUILDING LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION SINCE 1957
Embark on a transformative journey in higher education at Florida State University, where our Master’s and Ph.D. Programs in Higher Education offer unique, in-person learning experiences that set us apart from the growing trend of online education. With a rich history dating back to 1957, our established programs have continually evolved to meet the needs of future leaders in academia while maintaining the integrity and benefits of a face-to-face environment.
Why Choose FSU's Higher Education Programs?
Graduate Assistantships with Unmatched Benefits
At FSU, most of our master’s and Ph.D. students secure highly-regarded graduate assistantship positions. These positions are more than just a stepping stone—they are a cornerstone of your graduate education. Master’s students typically complete assistantships in academic affairs or student affairs, where they gain valuable work experience in university administration. Ph.D. students, on the other hand, often engage in research and/or teaching assistantships, allowing them to contribute to academic knowledge and hone their teaching skills. Both types of assistantships provide an hourly stipend and a tuition waiver that covers the full cost of tuition. This financial support enables you to focus on your studies and professional development without the burden of tuition costs.
Engage in Research with National Experts
FSU's Ph.D. students have exceptional opportunities to work alongside nationally recognized faculty on cutting-edge research projects. Our faculty actively secure grants and conduct research for leading agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation. Ph.D. students are often integral members of large research teams, particularly through centers like the Center for Postsecondary Success and the Leadership Learning Research Center. These centers house multidisciplinary projects focused on critical issues in postsecondary education and leadership, offering students the chance to engage with impactful, high-profile research while building professional expertise and networks in the field.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Our programs emphasize the importance of experiential learning. Through internships and hands-on experiences, you will gain exposure to various departments across campus, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. This practical approach ensures that you are not only learning but also applying critical skills that will serve you in your future career.
Vibrant Community and Professional Development
Joining FSU means becoming part of a dynamic community. The Higher Education Student Association (HESA) is a thriving organization that offers regular academic and social events, fostering a strong sense of community among students. Additionally, our “LifeNet” network, composed of current students and alumni across the globe, provides ongoing support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. With access to conference travel support, seminars, and a robust network, you will be well-equipped to advance your career.
Recognition and Legacy
FSU’s College of Education is recognized as one of the best in the nation, ranked #6 among public graduate schools of education by U.S. News and World Report. Our long-standing programs are built on the pillars of student success, leadership, and social justice, ensuring that our graduates are not only skilled professionals but also advocates for equity and change in higher education.
Join us at Florida State University and become part of a legacy of excellence in higher education. Whether you choose our Master’s or Ph.D. program, the support, resources, and opportunities offered through our face-to-face programs will prepare you to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact in the field of higher education. The application deadline for this program is December 1, 2024.
For applicants interested in an Ed.D., our department offers an online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy. The program prepares mid-career education leaders and scholarly practitioners in higher education, k-12 schools, and other education-oriented entities to be knowledgeable about organizational systems, actively engaged in research to improve policy and practice in their own contexts, and attuned to issues of equity. Click here to learn more about the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy.
Graduate assistantships are available to qualified master’s and doctoral students who enroll full-time. Graduate assistants are expected to contribute their time and energy to major research or service projects associated with the department, affiliated centers, and individual faculty grant projects, as well as various college and FSU offices. A particularly strong relationship exists between the Higher Education program and the Division of Student Affairs as well as two research centers: the Center for Postsecondary Success and the Leadership Learning Research Center.
For more information about our available assistantships, please visit education.fsu.edu/visiting-days. A list of our assistantships is available on this page, and will be updated with information around mid-December through mid-April.
Admitted students may interview for available graduate assistantships through Visiting Days, which typically occurs in the month of February. Training opportunities through these assistantships include administrative, research, and teaching. Admitted students will receive detailed information regarding the Visiting Days program and assistantship applications following acceptance to the Higher Education program, including tuition waivers and health insurance information.
Visiting Days: see our website for details. Especially for students seeking master’s degrees, assistantships are a critical piece of your funding package and an opportunity to learn more about the program, university, and what it would be like to live, work, and study here. Visiting Days features master’s and doctoral program tracks to provide prospective students with information regarding the program and institution, specific to their degree programs and goals. Additional information about the Visiting Days Program is updated each December in preparation for the program and can be found at education.fsu.edu/visiting-days.
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The Graduate School at Florida State University offers internal funding awards and has additional information available about external scholarships and fellowships: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/funding-awards/graduate-school-fellowships-and-grants.
FSU doctoral applicants have been successful at winning both external and internal grants. These include the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship for Florida Ph.D.-seeking students, FAMU Graduate Feeder Scholars Program, P.E.O. Scholars, the NAEd/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, and others. Success stories can be found here at the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards site. We strongly encourage you to review the site and apply for awards. The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences also offers scholarships for incoming and current students; more information is available here. Additional information about graduate financial aid can be found here.
The M.S. degree in Higher Education is designed to prepare students to work in student affairs positions in a variety of settings as well as preparation for doctoral programs in the future if they so choose. Graduates from the MS program are employed in all aspects of student affairs including housing, Fraternity and Sorority life, student activities, orientation, career development, academic advising, union administration, judicial affairs, services for students with disabilities, and generalist positions, just to name a few. The Ph.D. program is designed to provide a knowledge base about the professional field and a theoretical framework to guide research and career development in higher education. Graduates from the PhD program are typically employed as faculty, researchers, and leaders at universities, state or local education agencies, other non-profit organizations.
Degree & GPA
For this program, supporting documents must be uploaded to the Admissions Application Portal:
Master’s Program: An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree.
PhD/Doctoral Program: Applicants for doctoral programs must have an earned graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA).
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Please upload your most recent Resume/CV including your current employment.
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose (1 required) – Describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in higher education, including your preparation for this field of study and your future career goals. Please be specific about why Florida State University would be a good intellectual and professional fit for you. If there are any specific details of your academic, professional, or personal history you feel should be considered during admissions or you would like to put into context, please do so within the statement of purpose.
You should touch on your personal background and experiences that have led you to pursue a graduate degree but are reminded the faculty will have a copy of your resume/CV. Personal statements are generally two pages long, 12-point font, double-spaced.
Letters of Recommendation
(3 Required)
The letters should be from individuals who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations of coursework, writing and speaking skills, and work ethic. Specifically, supervisors, professors, or postsecondary instructors.
- Letters from friends or family will not be considered. Letters should be professional, typed on letterhead, and have a signature.
- Upon entering the recommender’s email address, the application system will send instructions to your recommender for uploading letters.
Writing Sample
(PhD/Doctoral Applicants Only: 1 Required)
As an applicant to our doctoral program, we ask you to reflect and respond to the following prompt. Three-page maximum length, double-spaced. References are permissible but not expected.
FSU’s Higher Education program is organized around three pillars: Student Success, Leadership, and Social Justice. We would like to give you a brief but focused opportunity to share your scholarly voice in writing as it applies to our program’s aims and strengths.
- Identify and focus on one of the three pillars.
- Define this pillar in your own words.
- Briefly discuss the pillar’s impact on students, higher education institutions, OR higher education policy, and,
- Identify any connection to the pillar you see in your life at present and/or potential work as a Higher Education doctoral student.
GRE Scores
GRE Test Scores: For applicants submitting GRE test scores, we recommend the following minimum target scores: Verbal (149), Quantitative (147), Analytical Writing (3.5)
GRE Waivers: *NOTE: The GRE requirements have been waived through Fall 2026.
Applicants with a competitive GRE score may continue to submit scores. If you do not submit scores, the item will be waived on the application checklist.
Master’s: Applicants are automatically waived for the GRE requirement.
PhD: Applicants applying to the PhD program in Higher Education must submit a request to waive the GRE test requirement. Review the details and submit your request for the GRE Waiver Allowance for PhD applicants. Click here to request the GRE Waiver.
Official test results are required from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not retain scores longer than five years. If your test scores are older than five years, you may have to retake the test to have official scores sent directly to FSU from the testing agency. If you have the official report that was mailed to your home address for older scores, then FSU will accept that report. FSU Institution Code: 5219.
Transcripts
Please see the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website for detailed information and submission instructions: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are ONLY required for admitted students & applicants who require SpanTran evaluations of International Transcripts.
- Unofficial Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are required for your application to be reviewed. Please submit ALL unofficial transcripts from each College and/or University attended. FSU only allows for application review with unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions. For applicants with transcripts from a non-U.S. institution, a credential evaluation must be received before the application can be reviewed. *Official transcripts on the application checklist will show a red “X” until they are submitted. Applicants who have submitted all required documents and are only missing official transcripts are still considered complete and will be reviewed.
- International Transcript Requirements: FSU requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for Fall 2024 applicants and beyond who have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU to ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Please see the “Transcript Requirements” section of the Graduate School website for detailed information. https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions
English Language Proficiency Test Scores
Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. You can find the approved tests and minimum scores required here under the “English Language Proficiency” section: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions
- Self-Reported Scores
Although official scores are required, most departments will begin reviewing your application with self-reported scores while waiting for the official scores to arrive. You can self-report your scores on your Online Status Page after you submit your application. - Waiving English Language Proficiency
The English Language Proficiency requirement can be waived at the University level for applicants who have earned a BA or higher in the US or an English-speaking country. *A variety of countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.
Florida Residency Form
If you are a Florida resident, you must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit even if you were previously designated a Florida Resident by the University. If you do not complete this form, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes.
The on-campus Master’s (MS) program is Fall Admission only: December 1
The on-campus Doctorate (PhD) program is Fall Admission only: December 1
The priority deadline for admissions is December 1, 2024. If you would like to be considered for graduate assistantships or scholarships, you must apply by this deadline.
The FSU application is a 2-step process. You must first submit your online application. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email with information to access your Application Status Page. The Status Page is where you will pay your application fee, add recommenders to your application, and upload application materials.
Please select the applicable fields when applying:
Masters:
Campus/Location - Tallahassee
Degree – Master’s Degree
Major – Higher Education – MS
PhD/Doctoral:
Campus/Location - Tallahassee
Degree – Doctoral Degree
Major – Higher Education – PhD
Can you waive my application fee?
Unfortunately, our department does not offer any fee waivers for admissions applications. However, there are opportunities for funding for admitted students, as described here under “Assistantships, Scholarships & Aid.”
Can you review my materials and tell me if I qualify for admission?
The program is unable to make admission decisions on unofficial application materials. You can find additional information on the admissions requirements here: https://cehhs.fsu.edu/higher-education
Is a master’s degree required for the PhD program?
All applicants to the Ph.D. program must have completed a graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, by the semester in which they intend to begin the program.
How many grad students are accepted vs. those who applied?
The number of students who apply and are admitted varies each year and is not publicly available. Typically, the incoming cohorts for Higher Education are around 20-25 students in the MS program and 8-12 students in the PhD program.
Am I exempt from the English Language Proficiency Test?
List of Countries Exempt from the English Language Proficiency Test
If yes, you are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation of your international transcripts.
If no, FSU requires a language proficiency test for international students. FSU accepts scores from TOEFL (minimum 80), IELTS (minimum 6.5), MELAB (minimum 77), Cambridge C1 Advanced Level (minimum 180), Michigan Language Assessment (minimum 55), and Duolingo (minimum 120).
Do you accept unofficial transcripts?
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are ONLY required for admitted students & applicants who require SpanTran evaluations of International Transcripts.
Unofficial Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are required for your application to be reviewed. Please submit ALL unofficial transcripts from each College and/or University attended. FSU only allows for application review with unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions. For applicants with transcripts from a non-U.S. institution, a credential evaluation must be received before the application can be reviewed. *Official transcripts on the application checklist will show a red “X” until they are submitted. Applicants who have submitted all required documents and are only missing official transcripts are still considered complete and will be reviewed.
International Transcript Requirements: FSU requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for Fall 2024 applicants and beyond who have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU to ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Please see the “Transcript Requirements” section of the Graduate School website for detailed information. https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions
Do you offer assistantships?
If you complete your application by December 1, and if you are admitted, you will have the opportunity to be considered for Graduate Assistantships at FSU. A typical graduate assistantship package includes a tuition waiver for 9 hours per semester, an hourly stipend, and a health insurance subsidy. The tuition waiver does not cover additional student activity and service fees. You must be enrolled as a full-time student to qualify for the tuition waiver. Most assistantships are 20 hours per week.
What is the process of applying for assistantships/internships like?
Upon admission, applicants will be invited to “Visiting Days” in February, where they can participate in virtual or in-person interviews for graduate assistantships. All applicants will receive notification of any offers for graduate assistantships resulting from these interviews in March before the deadline to indicate their intent to enroll. Please see the additional information here under “Assistantships, Scholarships & Aid.”
In addition to graduate assistantships, additional opportunities for scholarships and fellowships are available through FSU’s Graduate School and the College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences
How many assistantships are awarded each year?
The number of assistantships awarded each year varies depending on the number of admitted applicants. Most of our full-time students in both the MS and PhD programs in Higher Education receive graduate assistantships, but we are unable to guarantee them.
Is the program fully funded?
We are unable to guarantee full funding to all admitted applicants.
Do you offer a part-time program?
Our Higher Education graduate programs feature courses held in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate students who wish to pursue a degree part-time while maintaining full-time employment. Most of our graduate courses (including all core courses) are held face-to-face.
Is reaching out to faculty part of the application process?
Master’s applicants are not required to reach out to faculty as part of the application process.
PhD/Doctoral applicants must list up to 3 faculty members that they would like to be assigned to for an advisor. You can learn more about the teaching and research interests of our faculty by clicking on their individual websites, which are listed under “Higher Education Faculty” at https://cehhs.fsu.edu/higher-education . You may also contact faculty directly if you want more information about their work.
- Higher Education Student Association (HESA) – Want to know more about what it’s like to be a student in Higher Education? Visit the HESA website for more information.
- Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics in Higher Education
- Center for Postsecondary Success
- Leadership Learning Research Center
