MA, Higher Ed Leadership
Our MA program prepares higher education leaders through an equity-minded praxis approach to engage in transformative thinking and practice with the goal of disrupting how power, in the form of racism, classism, sexism, and related oppressions intersect to (re)produce and sustain disparate higher educational opportunities in higher education.
- Program Overview
- Program Learning Outcomes
- Admission Requirements
- Curriculum and Roadmaps
- Upcoming Info Sessions
- Steps to Apply
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Us
Program Overview
- Official Title: MA, Higher Education Leadership
- Format: Cohort, hybrid model with courses taught in-person and online
- Units: 30 units
- Start Term: Summer only
- Program length: 14-month program (summer, fall, spring, summer)
- Deadlines:
Initial Eligibility and Requirements
- BA degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0, based on a 4.0 scale
- Two letters of recommendation, with option of third letter of recommendation
- Candidates must also meet all SJSU admissions requirements
- A preadmissions interview is required of all candidates
- TOEFL score of 600 and above (for international students only)
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Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission are 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (internet-based)
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Curriculum and Roadmaps
For more details about each of these courses, visit the SJSU Catalog website.
Upcoming Info Sessions and Office Hours
Information sessions and application office hours are scheduled for Spring 2024. Please see below for specific dates and times. To sign up, please use fill out this SJSU MA, Higher Education Leadership Interest Form. All will be held virtually except the Feb. 20 and Mar. 6 sessions.
Information Sessions
- January 16, 2024 | 12 - 1pm
- February 7, 2024 | 10 - 11am
- February 15, 2024 | 4 - 5pm
- February 20, 2024 | 12 - 1pm (In-person)
- March 6, 2024 | 12 - 1pm (In-person)
- March 11, 2024 | 4 - 5pm
- March 25, 2024 | 10 - 11am
Application Office Hours
- January 18, 2024 | 12 - 1pm
- January 29, 2024 | 10 - 11am
- February 29, 2024 | 10 - 11am
- March 21, 2024 | 12 - 1pm
Steps to Apply
Step 1 | Notify Our Department
Contact Dr. María Ledesma, Higher Educational Leadership Program Coordinator, at edleadership@sjsu.edu to make her aware of your interest.
Step 2 | Begin your Cal State Apply application
Cal State Apply application opens on November 1, 2023
Follow the instructions provided SJSU Graduate Admissions Office to apply for admission to San Jose State University via CalState Apply.
- Program name: Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, MA
- Visit calstate.edu/apply to create your application profile and pay the $70 application fee.
Step 3 | Prepare Your Documents
After creating your Cal State Apply profile, keep in mind that you will need to prepare the three following required documents before the document deadline, April 15, 2024.
Resume
Create a PDF or Word version of your most recent resume that highlights your professional and leadership experience.
Statement of Purpose
In no more than 600 words, describe how your educational pathway has influenced and prepared you for your future professional and educational goals.
How do you see the Higher Education Leadership MA degree program in the Department of Educational Leadership helping you achieve these goals? Provide specific examples that relate to the degree program and department.
Situational Essay
In no more than 750 words, respond to the following prompt:
What value and what tools does an equity-minded approach provide higher education leaders, practitioners, and policy makers to address and disrupt inequities and injustices in educational systems?
For a reference on equity-mindedness, visit aacu_a_vision_for_equity_report_-_closing_thoughts.pdf [pdf]
Step 4 | Request recommendations
By the application deadline, submit two (2) letters of recommendation, third letter of recommendation optional
- Recommendation letters may be submitted directly from your recommender to the Higher Education Leadership MA Program. At least one letter must be from someone who can attest to your academic work, such as a professor or other faculty member. The other two may be from a previous supervisor or colleague, or someone with the knowledge of your potential leadership, this might include a recent/former supervisor, faculty, advisor and/or mentor.
- All materials from the same recommender need to be uploaded as one PDF file on the Cal State Apply portal. A notification will be sent by the Cal State Apply system to your selected recommenders prompting them to upload their recommendation materials.
Step 5 | Submit your transcripts
Request one official transcript from each college/university where you studied and submit the official sealed transcript(s) directly from each college/university to the SJSU Graduate Admissions office at:
Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0017
If the college/university provides official electronic transcripts, the institution can email the transcripts to etranscript@sjsu.edu. Questions pertaining to transcripts, GPA calculations, and application fees should be directed to admissions@sjsu.edu.
Step 6 | Submit your application
Once you submit your application via Cal State Apply, check your application status online at one.sjsu.edu. Your ID and PINs are provided shortly by SJSU's Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations Office after you submit your application via Cal State Apply.
The total application processing time is between five to six weeks after all necessary documents have been received by the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations Office, so we recommend that you submit your application early in the processing cycle.
Next Steps | Application review
Applicants whose files are complete will be invited to an interview to finalize the application process.
Applicants will receive an email from the Department of Educational Leadership regarding their status (i.e., acceptance) by mid May.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information on the Higher Education Leadership Master’s Program, we advise you visit the Department of Educational Leadership.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Dr. María Ledesma, Higher Educational Leadership Program Coordinator, at edleadership@sjsu.edu.
