Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the MEd in Urban Higher Education Heading link
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What is the focus of the M.Ed. in Urban Higher Education program?
The program has two main foci – the urban context and the importance of organizational leadership in addressing the opportunities and challenges present in urban centers. The program’s urban focus gives it a unique perspective in comparison with leading programs throughout the country. Given the program’s urban and leadership focus, six key themes guide the program:
- The urban context is key and underscores an emphasis on specific opportunities and complex challenges
- Building and maintaining equity and authentic diversity in higher education is essential
- Everyone in the organization is a leader, change agent and advocate who contributes to the continued improvement and advancement of the institution
- Principled leadership and ethical behavior are the foundation for sound professional practice
- Teamwork and collaboration are crucial for continuous organizational improvement and advancement
- Best practice in higher education requires evidence-based and data-informed decision-making
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How long does the program take?
This is a 36-hour master’s degree program. Students who take two courses per fall and spring term plus one additional course in the summer will complete the program in two years. Students may complete the program more quickly by taking more courses each term, including the summer.
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Is transfer of course credit allowed?
Transfer of course credit is not automatic and requires approval of program faculty. The UIC Graduate College permits no more than 25 percent of the hours to be transferred into the degree. The MEd in Urban Higher Education will only transfer 8 credit hour of relevant coursework if approved by the program coordinator. For more information about credit transfer procedures, please consult the UIC Graduate Catalog.
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Can I hold a job while in the program?
Yes, many students in the program will hold a job as practicing higher education administrators. Evening course meeting times help to reduce conflicts between work and academic schedules.
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What is the program core curriculum?
The program is comprised of a core set of required courses (20 hours) and elective courses (16 hours). The core set of required courses reflect the program foci. Ideally, students will begin with the Urban Higher Education Organization and Context course as an introductory seminar and complete the program with the internship (if needed) and culminating seminar, designed to help students make connections between their professional interests and academic studies, and between theory and practice. Students may take the remaining core courses and elective/area of emphasis courses as their schedules allow.
Required Core Courses (each course earns 4 hours for a total of 20 hours):
- EDPS 515 Urban Higher Education Organization and Context
- EPSY 516 Institutional Research, Data, and Evaluation in Urban Higher Education
- EDPS 517 Administration and Governance of Urban Higher Education
- EDPS 518 Students, Diversity, Access, and Equity in Urban Higher Education
- EDPS 530 Seminar -Urban Higher Education in the 21st Century: Ideas and Opportunities
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What is the difference between the two program areas of emphasis?
Through elective courses, students will study an area of emphasis in (1) Leadership, Governance, Organization and Policy, or (2) Institutional Research for Decision Making.
The Leadership, Governance, Organization and Policy emphasis builds on the strengths of the Educational Policy Studies department and includes coursework that examines student transitions, current controversies, and community engagement and interaction. This emphasis prepares students to work as administrators in universities, colleges and community colleges, as well as federal, state and local government offices.
The Institutional Research for Decision Making emphasis builds on the strengths of the Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment (MESA) program in Educational Policy Studies and includes coursework in an institutional research for decision making area of emphasis. Graduates of this area of emphasis will be prepared to take positions in college and university institutional research offices and higher education system offices.
In addition to colleges, universities and higher education systems, the program prepares students to work in various educational services (e.g., tutoring and test preparation organizations); associations (e.g., American Hospital Association); privately owned businesses (e.g., Apple) and foundations that require post-secondary administrative knowledge and professional expertise.
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What are the possible elective courses that I may take?
Students can choose from a list of recommended electives from an area of emphasis (below) or from a variety of relevant courses in educational leadership, governance, organization, and policy inside and outside the College of Education. Students will choose their electives in consultation with their advisors and with the approval of units outside of the College of Education.
Recommended Electives (16 hours)
Leadership, Governance, Organization and Policy Area of Emphasis
- EDPS 415 (NEW) Current Controversies in Urban Higher Education (4 hours)
- SPED 461 Political and Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Special Education (3 hours)
- EDPS 519 (NEW) Student Transitions to College (4 hours)
- EDPS 520 (NEW) The City as Campus: Community Engagement and Interaction (4 hours)
- EDPS 529 (NEW) Internship in Urban Higher Education (4 hours)
- Optional course for students who have not had significant experience in a higher education leadership position.
- EDPS 568 Education and the Law (4 hours)
Institutional Research for Decision Making Area of Emphasis
- EPSY 503 – Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education (4 hours)
Students interested in an institutional research area of emphasis can choose from a variety of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) courses offered by the Department of Educational Psychology, or relevant courses outside of the College of Education. Students will choose their electives in consultation with their advisors and with the approval of units outside of the College of Education. Learn more about MESA coursework here.
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When do the courses meet?
College of Education courses typically meet once a week in the evenings (5 p.m.–8 p.m.) Monday through Thursday.
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Is the GRE required?
No, the GRE is not required.
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Do I need an undergraduate degree in education to apply to the MEd in Urban Higher Education?
Students are welcome from a variety of academic backgrounds. What is critical is an interest in higher education.
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What can I do with a degree in Urban Higher Education?
Graduates will be prepared to secure college and university leadership positions that span the organization, whether in academic affairs, student affairs, research or administrative operations.
The leadership focus will provide an excellent academic and practical foundation for those who seek a position in higher education at the state level, or in private or nonprofit organizations that require higher education expertise.
Graduates with the institutional research for decision making area of emphasis will be prepared to take positions in college and university institutional research offices.
Since the program will tie best practice to theory, graduates will also be prepared to enter doctoral programs in higher education throughout the country.
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What percent of the courses are taught by faculty?
While we believe that graduate student teaching opportunities are important, for the 2018-1029 year 92% of EDPS graduate level courses were taught by full time faculty or adjunct faculty with doctoral degrees and professional practice expertise. Graduate teaching assistants taught 8% of the courses. The M.Ed. in Urban Higher Education program will have a very similar course teaching profile to the other EDPS programs.
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What is the occupational outlook for higher education administrators?
The proposed program will help meet the demand for higher education professionals nationally, in the State of Illinois, and in the region as indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Nationally, employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
The Bureau states that expected growth may result from increasing student enrollment in colleges and universities. In 2016, the median wage for postsecondary education administrators at the national level was $90,760, and a total of 180,100 persons were employed in these positions.
It is important to note that the Occupational Employment and Wages report reveals that Illinois has the third highest employment of postsecondary administrators in the nation (behind California and New York) with 8,280 in this occupation. The median wage in the state of Illinois in 2016 was $96,910. With the exception of Kentucky, the median wage for all of the states surrounding Illinois are at or above this level. While most of these individuals work in universities, colleges and community colleges, they are also working in multiple industries including federal, state and local government offices (e.g., IBHE); state schools and hospitals; various educational services (e.g., tutoring and test preparation organizations); associations (e.g., American Hospital Association); privately owned businesses (e.g., Apple) and foundations that require post-secondary administrative knowledge and professional expertise.
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How do I apply for the M.Ed. in Urban Higher Education?
Please see the How to Apply page for this program for application instructions. Any questions about starting or completing your application should go to Ana Valenta at agarci5@uic.edu.
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Can I afford the degree?
UIC makes every effort to help students pay for the cost of going to college. Our College Financial Aid page can help answer your questions.
Review the UIC tuition and fee schedule and find out more about billing and payment options.
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers six basic types of financial aid for graduate students: fellowships, assistantships, tuition-and-selected-fee waivers, traineeships, loans, and employment. Applicants for these types of aid must be admitted to a graduate degree program or have a completed application pending. Eligibility for loans is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Applicants for loans should go directly to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Applications for fellowships, assistantships, and tuition/fee waivers are available in the department office, the Graduate College Office, and on the Graduate College website. In the administration of these programs and in selecting students for participation in them, the University of Illinois at Chicago adheres to the Nondiscrimination Statement on the Office for Access and Equity website.
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Can I get housing on campus?
Yes. It is best to apply as soon as you know you want to live on campus, because applications are prioritized by date of application. Visit campus housing to find out more and submit your application.
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What student support does the College of Education provide?
The UIC College of Education is committed to the success of its students. If you have concerns or questions you can stop by the Office of Student Services, or make an appointment to see a faculty advisor. The College encourages a good working relationship between students and their advisors. You can also find support from your professors and fellow students. UIC offers many support programs and opportunities that encourage academic success. Your program advisor can help you connect to UIC resources.
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What are the program's strengths?
The M.Ed. in Urban Higher Education themes and program emphases build on current strengths of the faculty in the Educational Policy Studies (EDPS) department and the College of Education. The two program emphases will draw direct benefit from the award-winning Urban Education Leadership program, and the well-established Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) program. The EDPS department’s Education Organization and Leadership and Social Foundations faculty, and the college’s MESA faculty have a long history of working with students interested in higher education topics, problems and research.