Administrative Leadership: Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration (ACHEA) MS
Explore the only master’s program at UWM tailored for a rewarding career in higher education and student affairs administration, and leadership in adult learning.
Pursue paths in administration and leadership in diverse settings, including higher education, non-profits, government, and corporations. More than a degree, it’s a transformative experience dedicated to empowering leaders and fostering equity and inclusion in diverse settings.
Cost Per Credit
$625
Total cost: ACHEA 33-credit program: $ 20,625
Scholarships and Assistantships available
The online Master’s in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration program is the same price for students who reside in-state or out-of-state. The cost per credit is $625. There are no extra fees.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
Online
Why Choose Our Program?
- Affordable: $625/per credit 33 credit master’s degree.
- Exceptional Quality and Value: Nationally recognized urban research university.
- Flexible Pathways to Degree: Fully online program with accelerated and part-time options tailored for working professionals.
- Leadership for Policy Change: Advance equity and inclusion within diverse settings while fostering a sense of belonging for all.
- Career Advancement: Tailor your academic experience to match your career aspirations through a variety of electives.
Related Program: Stand-alone Certificate or Combined Certificate + Master of Science Degree
Students completing the master’s degree concentration in adult, continuing and higher education administration can jointly earn a graduate certificate in the following area:
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Graduate Certificate | 15-credits
Prospective teachers venturing into today’s higher education environment will gain an understanding of teaching and learning theory, research and effective practice.
Program Principles
To make substantial social change, students must have a clear understanding of how to create inclusive policies, practices and environments. As an equity-focused program, we believe in the following principles:
Theory to Practice: Theories and research should inform international, national and community policies and practices in adult and higher education. Our graduates should be able to use research and theory to guide their practice.
Leadership Focused: Graduates will be prepared to use leadership skills in dynamic ways in order make transformative changes within adult and higher education.
Equity-Centered: We believe graduates should have the language, tools, knowledge and skills to create equity-centered adult and higher education environments.
Collaborative Learning: Graduates work across different levels of abilities, world views, diversity and knowledge in multiple work environments. We believe graduates should be critical thinkers in order to solve problems and cultivate solutions to change the landscape of adult and higher education both collectively and individually.
Community Partnership Research: Graduate students collaboratively work with communities in order to inform their practice. As faculty members, we are committed to producing scholarship that includes and promotes collaborative and participatory engagement.
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Administrative Leadership – Concentration in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration requires a minimum of 33 credits. The program requirements consist of the following:
- Required Core Courses (15 credits within a track)
- Adult and Continuing Education Track
- Higher Education Track
- Elective Courses (15 credits)
- Capstone Course (3 credits)
Fund Your Degree. Build Your Career in Higher Education
Graduate assistantships and fellowships in the ACHEA program combine tuition support, professional experience, and leadership development, helping you launch a career in higher education and student affairs.
Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are more than financial support, they are professional training opportunities that allow you to apply classroom learning directly to real challenges in higher education.
Through these positions, ACHEA students:
- Work directly with university departments and student support offices
- Develop skills in student engagement, advising, program management, and leadership
- Build a professional network across campus
- Graduate with hands-on experience employers value
Typical assistantship benefits:
| Benefit | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Tuition remission | Many roles cover up to full tuition |
| Stipend | Earn income while studying |
| Health insurance eligibility | Coverage for qualifying appointments |
| Professional experience | Graduate with hands-on experience employers value |
Graduate assistants with appointments of 33% or greater may qualify for tuition remission and health insurance eligibility at UWM.
Real Roles. Real Impact.
Each year, ACHEA students work across campus to gain practical experience and contribute to a variety of critical areas, in roles such as:
- Academic Advisor
- Student Success Coach
- Career Community Coach
- Leadership Programs Assistant
- Fraternity & Sorority Life Administrator
- Student Engagement Graduate Assistant
- TRIO and Pre-College Programs Administrator
Fellowship Program
The ACHEA program partners with the Universities of Wisconsin System Administration to offer competitive fellowships that provide leadership experience in higher education policy and administration.
Fellowship benefits include:
- Graduate assistantship appointment
- Tuition remission
- Stipend support
- Professional development opportunities
These fellowships typically run for one academic year with the possibility of renewal.
Scholarships
The School of Education offers scholarships every year. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to full tuition. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
The master’s degree concentration in adult, continuing and higher education administration prepares students for positions of administration and leadership in business, community and higher education environments.
Meet Our Alumni
Ryan Mason
Ryan Mason, ACHEA Alumni ’21
Assistant Training Program Manager
Milwaukee Tool
Brenda Vazquez Carranza
Brenda Vazquez Carranza, ACHEA Alumna ’21
Associate Director of Programming
Information Technology Academy
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jodie Pope
Jodie Pope, ACHEA Alumni ’22
Administrative Manager, School of Academic Advancement
Program Director, Gateway to College Program
Madison College
Alumni Stories
Jaclyn Stoczanyn, ACHEA alumna, chosen for Harvard University leadership program: https://uwm.edu/education/school-of-ed-alum-chosen-for-leadership-program/
Maggie Flath Magie Flath, ACHEA alumna, named advisor of the year: https://uwm.edu/informationstudies/faucibus-purus-in-massa-tempor-nec/
Pachoua Lor, ACHEA alumna, featured in the news: https://uwm.edu/education/school-of-education-in-the-news-2023-06-05/
Alumni Careers
Higher Education and Student Affairs Positions
| Position | Organization |
|---|---|
| Academic Advisor and Transfer Coordinator | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
| Assistant Director of Career Services | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health |
| Program Coordinator – First Year/Transfer | Louisiana State University |
| Director of Raider Center for Academic Success | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| Coordinator for Prior Learning, Career Pathways, and University Articulation | Chippewa Valley Technical College |
| Coordinator of Student Services | Medical College of Wisconsin |
| Assistant Director of Admissions | Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University |
| Director of Express Services | Gateway Technical College |
| Community Engagement Coordinator | Madison College |
| Program Coordinator | Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
| Student Success Advisor | St. Norbert College |
| Student Success Specialist | Blackhawk Technical College |
| Senior Admission Counselor | Marquette University |
Adult Learning and Workforce Development
| Position | Organization |
|---|---|
| Senior Instructional Designer & Team Leader | University of Wisconsin Extended Campus |
| Senior Instructional Designer | Wendy’s |
| Instructional Design Manager | Advocate Aurora Health |
| Instructional Designer | Northeast Technical College |
| Learning and Development Specialist | Rockwell Automation |
| Associate Manager of Training & Outreach | MilliporeSigma |
| Director of Development | The Reading Center/Dyslexia Institute |
| Talent Development Designer | Kohl’s Department Stores |
| Talent Development Specialist | Equus Workforce Solutions |
| Regional Learning and Development Manager | WestRock |
| Space Lab Analyst | Molson Coors Beverage Company |
| Assistant Program Training Manager | Milwaukee Tool |
| Program Director School Age Programs | YMCA of Greater Seattle |
- Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- baldwic@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7620
- Enderis Hall 655
- Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Program Director, Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration
- salto@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5155
- Enderis Hall 621
- Department Chair, Administrative Leadership
- Wm. Collins Kohler Chair, Institute for Systems Change and Peacebuilding
- sandym@uwm.edu
- 414-229-1173
- Enderis Hall 617
- Lecturer, Administrative Leadership
- University Housing Dir, University Housing
- acljones@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5203
- Sandburg Commons C134A
- Lecturer, Administrative Leadership
- Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Students Office
- Assistant Dean of Student Services, Office of Student Services
- pagejd@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4153
- Enderis Hall 1015
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
5:00 PM CT
Register Online >>
Application Deadline
We use a rolling admissions process. GRE is not required.
Associate Professor and Program Director
salto@uwm.edu
We encourage prospective students to meet with our ACHEA program coordinator prior to applying to the program.