Administrative Leadership: Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration (ACHEA) MS
Our master’s in higher education administration program prepares you to meet the growing demand for administrators and leaders who work with college students and adult learners in diverse organizations.
A major focus of our program is preparing leaders of adult learning and urban higher education institutions who honor equity and diversity.
Program Type
Program Format
Why Choose Our Program?
- Fully Online: The program is 100% online, so you can pursue a master’s degree in administrative leadership in a way that works with your schedule.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from internationally recognized faculty with more 15 years of online teaching experience at one of Wisconsin’s most diverse universities.
- Small Classes: Be part of a close-knit cohort and really get to know your professors and classmates.
- Career Opportunities: Graduates go on to be adult educators and trainers; instructional designers; organizational change leaders; continuing professional education leaders; academic advisors; managers of support programs for traditionally underrepresented students, student housing specialists, student programming specialists; and administrators at all levels of postsecondary education.
At UWM, I learned to think creatively, facilitate and engage in challenging dialogues, and critically analyze higher education and the student affairs profession. What I enjoyed most about the program is the focus on diversity and inclusion and how it is a foundation of our profession, which aligned with my passion for social justice, as well as the connections I made with the faculty in the program.
UW-Milwaukee Dean of Students Office
Information Sessions
Interested in learning more about our program? We invite you to a virtual information session. Please attend one or both of the following.
- Our online information session on Thursday, Oct. 12 or Thursday, Nov. 2 from 5:00 – 5:30 pm cst.
- Graduate School Open House: Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm cst (Virtual) or Thursday, Nov. 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm cst (In-Person).
- Register for the Virtual Open House information session
- Register for the In-Person Open House. Application fee will be waived for all those who attend the In-Person Open House. Apply and qualify between Aug. 15, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Open House 2023 Application Fee Waiver (PDF)
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)
- Program Overview & Courses (PDF)
Students completing the master’s degree concentration in adult, continuing and higher education administration can jointly earn a certification in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education or a certificate in Support Services for Online Students in Higher Education through the 2-in-1 option.
At the UW-Milwaukee School of Education Department of Administrative Leadership, you can earn a Master’s degree and a certificate, individually or at the same time. These offerings are perfect for anyone looking to advance their career in higher education, adult and continuing education, and for educators in the healthcare field.
2 in 1: Earn Your Master’s Degree and Certificate Together
Graduate Assistantships
The Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration (ACHEA) program in partnership with units at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers graduate assistantships in higher education administration. Visit the Higher Education Graduate Assistantships webpage to view available opportunities.
Career Information
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.
- Residence Life Coordinator
- Program Coordinator
- Academic Resources Specialist
- Career Development Specialist
- Instructional Designer
- Adult Educators & Trainers
- Admission Counselor
- Coordinator Academic Services
- Learning Designer
- Online Student Support Specialist
- Academic Advisor
- Administrators in Vocational and Technical Education
Alumni Profiles
Pachoua Lor
- Graduation: Spring 2019
- Area of study: Adult, continuing and higher education administration
- Employment: Multicultural student success coordinator
- Strengths of the program: “Student support led to my interest in becoming someone who could help students like me, who may also be children of refugee parents or first-generation college students.”
Tre’quan Martin
- Graduation: Spring 2019
- Area of study: Adult, continuing and higher education administration
- Employment: Third grade teacher, Lancaster School, MPS
- Strengths of program: “Coming to UW-Milwaukee helped me grow faster, helped me learn more and allowed me to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degree. I wanted to work in education to be a role model, make an impact on students and change lives.”
Handshake
Handshake is UWM’s job search and career fair platform.
With Handshake you can…
- Search and apply for on- and off-campus jobs and internships.
- Create job alerts to be notified of positions matching your preferences.
- Attend virtual career fairs and career-related events.
- Showcase your accomplishments in your profile to attract employers.
- Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Department Chair, Administrative Leadership
- Program Director, Educational Administration and Supervision
- baldwic@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7620
- Enderis Hall 655
- Clinical Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- minal@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5381
- Enderis Hall 653
- Assistant Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Program Director, Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration
- salto@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5155
- Enderis Hall 621
- Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Wm. Collins Kohler Chair, Institute for Systems Change and Peacebuilding
- sandym@uwm.edu
- 414-229-1173
- Enderis Hall 617
Academic Resources
Thursday, Oct. 12, 5:00 – 5:30 pm cst
Event Registration
Graduate School Open House (Virtual)
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 – 8:00 pm cst
More Information and Registration
Program Information Session
Thursday, Nov. 2, 5:00 – 5:30 pm cst
Event Registration
Graduate School Open House (In-Person)
Thursday, Nov. 9, 5:00 – 7:00 pm cst
More Information and Registration
Application Deadline
We use a rolling admissions process. GRE is not required.
Assistant Professor and Program Director
salto@uwm.edu
We encourage prospective students to meet with our ACHEA program coordinator prior to applying to the program.