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Academic Programs
GW's HEA Program offers three distinct graduate degree programs. To learn more about the features of each of the academic programs in HEA, including specific admissions information, please select the appropriate program below.
Master's Program - 36-Credit Master's Program in Higher Education Administration leading to an M.A. in Ed.H.D. Degree. Offered on the Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, D.C. Students generally begin the HEA Master's Program in the fall semester.
Education Specalist Program - 30-Credit (post-Master's) Program in Higher Education Administration leading to an Ed.S. Degree. Offered on the Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, D.C.
Doctoral Program - 63-Credit (post-Master's) Program in Higher Education Administration leading to an Ed.D. Degree. Offered on the Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, DC. Students generally begin the HEA Doctoral Program in the fall semester.
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Prospective HEA Students have a number of opportunities to learn more about the program, its requirements and the application process.
- The focus of the HEA Webpage is to provide all of the information for prospective and current students about the academic programs and opportunities available in HEA. To learn more about the program, we encourage you to fully explore the information available on the webpage! Several specific areas that may be most useful to you as a prospective student include:
- Information/Open House Sessions are regularly scheduled for students to meet and talk with faculty and staff knowledgeable about the program. Generally scheduled monthly by the GSEHD Office of Admissions and Student Services, Information Sessions provide the opportunity to meet and interact individually with HEA Faculty as well as with other prospective HEA students. The HEA Program also offers a number of Online Information Sessions if you are located outside of the DC Metro area. If you have questions that are not answered by the webpage, please plan to attend one of the available Information Sessions! See the HEA On the Road for online or in house dates or the GSEHD Office of Admissions for a list of upcoming opportunities to meet HEA Faculty and learn more about the program.
- Each Spring, the program sponsors the Educational Symposium on Research and Innovations (ESRI). Prospective students to the program are encouraged to participate in ESRI to gain a better understanding of the program through small group sessions and informal scholarly discussions with other GSEHD Students and Faculty. ESRI provides a rare opportunity to interact with other students and faculty away from the constraints of the office and classroom. During ESRI, a special event is scheduled for prospective students to meet with faculty and other current students so that they may get their questions answered and learn more about the program. Visit the ESRI website for details and information about participating in this exciting program!
- Receptions for GW Friends and Family are hosted annually at the National ACPA Convention and the NASPA National Conference. Prospective, current and graduated students of the HEA Program join HEA Faculty and GW Staff in an informal reception during each national event. Look for the Friends and Family of GWU Reception on the conference schedule (usually on Monday nights) and plan to join us! Check the HEA On the Road for a list of events.
- Graduation Preparation Program Fairs are another opportunity to meet HEA Faculty and learn more about the program. Generally, GW's HEA Program Faculty participate in graduate preparation program fairs held during the Ohio Student Affairs Career Day, Maryland Student Affairs Career Conference, NASPA National Conference and ACPA National Convention. Check the HEA On the Road for a list of events.
Please contact the HEA program office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-726-8254) if you would have questions about the program or would like additional information.
Overview of the HEA Program
GW's unique campus setting just blocks away from the White House, Congressional Buildings, One Dupont Circle (home to many of the leading Higher Education Professional Associations), Embassy Row, and several divergent institutions of higher education provides a stimulating scholarly environment in which students can learn and experience a wide range of opportunities not available in other areas of the country or student affairs/higher education programs. From internship field experiences at a premier historically black university or the nation's leading higher education institution for students with hearing disabilities just a short distance from campus, to engaging in conversations with leaders of federal policy initiatives, to experiencing national and international educational, political and social movements first hand, students can't get a better living-learning community of scholars and practitioners than GW!
As the only higher education program in the Nation's Capital, GW is fortunate to be situated in a region that allows us to involve a number of senior-level administrators from different premier institutions, as well as leaders in the federal government and higher education professional associations located in the District of Columbia. GW's HEA Program provides a truly unique combination of full-time higher education scholars, adjunct and visiting faculty, and guest lecturers that allow students to learn from the depth and breadth of experiences of innovative practitioners actively leading the broader higher education and student affairs profession.
HEA is a high-quality academic program that makes knowledge useful, and prepares individuals for exciting careers in entry, mid and senior level administrative, academic and research positions in two- and four-year institutions of higher education, national and international associations, government agencies and other post-secondary educational settings.
