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Post Master's Certificate in Higher Education

The Post Master's Certificate in Higher Education offers a flexible opportunity to learn more about higher education for practitioners in the field and explore possible career options for those not already working in higher education. It is designed for working professionals. Courses are offered in the evenings and may be taken in any sequence to offer you maximum flexibility. Typically, students take one course per term and complete the program in four semesters. However, if your schedule permits, students may take two courses and complete in one academic year.

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The Post Master’s Graduate Certificate (PMC) in Higher Education is designed for current or aspiring administrators who want to update and expand their knowledge of higher education, explore the social justice and transformational potential of colleges and universities, and hone their leadership skills.

You will have the opportunity to learn about the tremendous variety of American higher education organizations and institutions. In addition, you will undertake in-depth examinations of contemporary higher education policies, practices, issues, and challenges and explore the relationship of higher education to American society.

For additional information, contact:

Program Coordinator:  Thandi Sulé, Ph.D.
(248) 370-4339
[email protected]
475D Pawley Hall

Department Secretary: Ann Marie Lindstrom
(248) 370-3070
[email protected]
480D Pawley Hall

As long as you have a master’s degree (in any field) with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and are not currently enrolled in a doctoral program, you may apply for the PMC. If you already have a terminal degree (e.g. PhD, LLD, MSW, MFA, etc.) in another field you are also welcome to apply.

If you do not already have a graduate degree, you may be interested in our Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership program.

A total of four courses (16 credit hours) are required.

  • Core Requirements – 12 credits (3 courses)
  • Possible Electives – 4 credits (1 course)

A list of offered courses is below. Any course that is not mentioned as required is an elective.

Fall 1 (September):

  • ED 7500 Contemporary American Higher Education - REQUIRED
  • EL 7682/6682 Critical Historical Perspectives in Higher Ed

Winter (January):

  • ED 7520 Critical Leadership Perspectives in Higher Ed - REQUIRED (EL 6685 Higher Education Leadership may be offered instead)
  • ED 7580 Critical Social Justice Perspectives in Higher Ed - REQUIRED
  • EL 6683 Introduction to Student Affairs
  • EL 6684 Introduction to Academic Affairs

Summer (May):

  • ED 7540 Resource Management in Higher Education (available based on student interest)
  • EL 7900/6900 Current Topics in Higher Education

Fall 2 (September):

  • ED 7500 Contemporary American Higher Education - REQUIRED
  • EL 7682/6682 Critical Historical Perspectives in Higher Ed

Sample Schedule:

Fall Term Winter Term Summer Term
EL 6500   EL 6520 ED 7540
EL 6682 EL 6580 EL 6900
EL 6684 EL 6683  
Course Descriptions

EL 6500 / ED 7500  Contemporary American Higher Education
This course will introduce you to and provide the opportunity to reflect upon, higher education as: the location of your educational experiences; the environment in which you participate in professional practice; an organizational entity; the subject of scholarly research; and an economic, social, cultural, political institution; as well a potential force for social justice within American society.

EL 6520 / ED 7520  Critical Leadership Perspectives in Higher Education
Leadership can take place at any level in the organization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). We will read and analyze case studies displaying leadership actions as well as the scholarly literature on leadership and the personal narratives of selected leaders. Consistent with the social justice focus of our higher education program, this course will especially consider the idea that leadership as a “gendered” construct and therefore discuss its potential effects on both cisgendered and self-identified women.

EL 6580 / ED 7580  Critical Social Justice Perspectives in Higher Education
The goal of this course is to explore the relationship between social inequities and higher education. Aligned with social justice pedagogy and informed by critical social theories, the broad survey course is premised upon the understanding that systems of oppression, societally and institutionally perpetuated, are realities that exacerbate personal and community well-being. We will critically assess the individual and institutional dynamics of oppression (including racism, sexism, heterosexism, cissexism, ableism, classism, and so forth) and explore possible interventions that can engender equitable participation in US institutions, particularly higher education.

EL 6682 / ED 7682  Critical Historical Perspectives in Higher Education
American higher education as a story of growth and change often accompanied by a persistent struggle for inclusion, definition, and identity. For more than 375 years of higher education in the US, the system has evolved from a limited institution – one designed to train a small percentage of elite white men for the clergy and high political positions – to an enterprise involving well over half the adult population of the US and countless citizens from other nations. This broad survey course will give you a basic foundation in order to understand the origin and evolution of critical issues in higher education that are still important today, with a particular emphasis on the history on the causes and consequences social justice issues.

EL 6683 Introduction to Student Affairs

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the professional field of student affairs in higher education.  It emphasizes the roles that student affairs professionals (#SAPros) play to promote the intellectual, social, moral, ethical, spiritual, emotional, civic and physical development and well-being of students.  The course is designed to facilitate an open, scholary, and self-reflexive exploration of professional identity within the student affairs field.

EL 6684 Introduction to Academic Affairs

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to academic affairs in postsecondary education.  Guided by the question of what is higher education's purpose, the course will examine pedagogy, curriculum, and learning, current topics of contention in the field, and the role of academic governance and leaderhsip in shaping students' experiences.  Content in this area will contribute to theoretical and intellectual understandings of student learning as a holistic endeavor.  Grounded in social justice and equity, the course will challenge confentional wisdom and approaches to academic affairs, aiding in practitioners' ability to create transformative educational environments for all students.

EL 6900 / ED 7900  Current Topics in Higher Education
The purpose of this course is to explore current issues in American higher education. Many of these issues stem from the broader socio-political climate. Participants will examine the intersection of social issues and higher education practices through reading, dialogue, peer review and case studies. Students will have a keen understanding of how various social issues influence sense of belonging in higher education spaces.  

ED 7540  Resource Management in Higher Education
Provides students with an overview of human resource issues in higher education such as: hiring, evaluation, managing employees, legal issues, the nature of academic work, and diversity and inclusion. In addition, this class outlines the various sources of institutional revenue and provides strategies to support human resource goals using budgeting and financial planning.

Both the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership require a cognate. The completed PMC will count as the first 16 credits of the required cognate in either doctoral program.

Ed.D. Cognate 20 Credits (5 courses)
Core Courses - 16 Credits (4 courses)
ED 7500 - Contemporary American Higher Education
ED 7520 - Critical Leadership Perspectives in Higher Education
ED 7580 - Critical Social Justice Perspectives in Higher Education
ED 7682 - Critical Historical Perspectives in Higher Education

Elective Options - 4 Credits (1 course)
ED 7540 - Resource Management in Higher Education
ED 7900 - Current Topics in Higher Education
ED 7683 - Introduction to Student Affairs
ED 7684 - Introduction to Academic Affairs
Other - Permission of Cognate Coordinator required


Ph.D. Cognate 28 Credits
 (7 courses)
Core Requirements - 16 Credits (4 courses)
ED 7500 - Contemporary American Higher Education
ED 7520 - Critical Leadership Perspectives in Higher Education
ED 7580 - Critical Social Justice Perspectives in Higher Education
ED 7682 - Critical Historical Perspectives in Higher Education

Elective Options - 12 Credits (3 courses)
ED 7950 - Internship in Higher Education
ED 7540 - Resource Management in Higher Education
ED 7900 - Current Topics in Higher Education
ED 7683 - Introduction to Student Affairs
ED 7684 - Introduction to Academic Affairs
Other - Permission of Cognate Coordinator required

Headshot of Dan Arnold

“In addition to the outstanding learning experience I had in this program, I made many new personal connections. The combination of the learning and personal connections has had a tremendously positive impact on my career.”

— Dan Arnold

Headshot of Laura Klein

“The Higher Education program provides a rich opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of the changing landscape in higher education practices. Through relevant coursework, highly recognized faculty, and unique professional experiences, I gained a broader perspective of higher education and its impact on society.”

— Laura B. Klein

Headshot of Stephanie Lee

“After working in higher education for over 20 years, it is refreshing to learn new concepts and hear others experience. This program provides a lot of innovative ways to engage student success and I love it!”

— Stephanie J. Lee

Headshot of Jess Tess Navarro

“I greatly appreciate the strong social justice lens of the Higher Education program at OU, as well as the diversity of students and high-quality teaching from instructors. I have learned so much from this program and enjoyed a great sense of community!”

— Jessica Tess-Navarro

Headshot of Lynda Poly-Droulard

“The PMC in Higher Education changed how I approach every day in and out of the classroom. I did not know what I did not know. As I said after my first class, ‘The courses are invaluable and can benefit every professor on campus!’”

— Lynda Poly-Droulard

Department of Organizational Leadership

Pawley Hall, Room 480B
456 Pioneer Dr.
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2730

Educational Leadership
Pawley Hall, Room 480D
(248) 370-3070
fax: (248) 370-4605

Human Resource Development
Pawley Hall, Room 475E
(248) 370-4109
fax: (248) 370-4095