Certificate Description
The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Administration equips students with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in leadership roles within higher education institutions. This comprehensive certificate program is designed to meet the increasing demand for professionals who can navigate the complexities of today's educational landscape while fostering student success and institutional excellence. The curriculum for the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Administration is comprised of 18 semester hours of coursework, carefully structured to cover essential topics and competencies necessary for graduates to excel in Higher Education Administration.
Certificate Director
Dr. Jane Beese
4105 Beeghly Hall
(330) 941-2236
jbeese@ysu.edu
Admission Requirements
Admission Criteria
Higher Education Administration & Leadership Certificate
Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission:
- Complete the online application for admission
- Pay the $45 application fee (waived for active/veteran military members or applicants who have previously attended the College of Graduate Studies)
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Present a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, which is considered as part of the program’s holistic evaluation of academic preparation.
- Provide names and contact information for two professional references who have supervised the applicant in professional roles or a university faculty member knowledgeable regarding the applicant’s academic abilities
- Submit official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions attended. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted for application review; however, official transcripts must be submitted directly from the granting institution no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment
- Participate in a holistic review of academic preparation, professional experience, leadership roles, and service
- A faculty interview may be requested if additional assessment is needed
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Submission of GRE scores is not automatically required for admission.
- GRE scores may be requested as part of a holistic review for applicants whose academic record, professional preparation, or overall application warrants additional evidence of readiness for graduate-level study.
- When requested, GRE scores are considered one component of the admissions review and do not independently determine admission decisions.
Additional Program-Specific Requirement: Familiarity with Higher Education
Because the Higher Education Administration & Leadership specialization and certificate prepare professionals for leadership roles in colleges, universities, and postsecondary systems, applicants must demonstrate familiarity with higher-education environments, structures, or practices through professional experience or graduate-level engagement.
This requirement may be satisfied by one or more of the following:
A. Higher Education Employment
At least one year (full-time equivalent) of professional experience in a postsecondary institution, including but not limited to:
- Student affairs, advising, residence life, or enrollment management
- Academic affairs, program coordination, assessment, or curriculum support
- Registrar, financial aid, institutional research, or compliance
- Budget, finance, advancement, grants, or administrative services
- Teaching or academic support roles within colleges or universities
B. Postsecondary-Facing Professional Responsibilities
At least one year (full-time equivalent) in roles involving substantive engagement with higher education, such as:
- Dual-enrollment or early-college program administration in partnership with colleges
- State or system-level higher-education policy or administration
- Workforce or adult education programs delivered through or aligned with community colleges
- Higher-education associations, nonprofits, or consulting organizations
C. Graduate-Level Engagement with Higher Education
Current or recent graduate students with documented involvement in postsecondary teaching, advising, research, or administration through assistantships, internships, or related roles.
Note: Professional experience that is exclusively in K–12 education, without documented postsecondary-facing responsibilities, does not independently meet this requirement due to the applied nature of coursework in higher-education law, policy, governance, and institutional practice. Applicants who do not clearly meet this requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis by program faculty.
Certificate Requirements
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| EDAD 8126 | Legal Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| EDAD 8141 | History of Higher Education | 3 |
| EDAD 8143 | Higher Education Finance & Policy | 3 |
| EDAD 8144 | Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education | 3 |
| EDAD 8145 | Seminar in Student Affairs Administration | 3 |
| EDAD 7070A | Clinical Experience in Higher Education | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 18 | |
Learning Outcomes
The primary educational objectives of the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Administration are based on the ten professional competency areas for student affairs educators. The competencies are supported by two organizations: 1. The College Student Educators International (ACP) and 2. Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). The objectives for the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Administration are below.
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Cultivate Personal and Professional Integrity:
- Develop and uphold a strong commitment to ethical standards encompassing both personal and professional life, while fostering personal well-being and continuous growth.
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Bridge Historical Foundations with Current Practice:
- Establish a comprehensive link between the historical roots, philosophical underpinnings, and values of higher education administration, and their practical application in contemporary higher education settings.
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Master Assessment and Evaluation Practices:
- Proficiently design, execute, evaluate, and leverage diverse assessment and evaluation practices to inform decision-making and shape effective practices within higher education.
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Navigate Policy Development and Governance:
- Understand the intricacies of policy development processes, apply legal principles, address compliance issues, and grasp the governance structures that exert influence on professional practices within higher education.
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Efficiently Manage Institutional Resources:
- Effectively oversee human capital, financial assets, and physical resources within an educational institution, ensuring their optimal utilization for achieving organizational goals.
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Exhibit Leadership Competence:
- Demonstrate leadership abilities, irrespective of possessing formal positional authority, by effectively guiding and influencing individuals and teams within the higher education context.
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Promote Equity and Inclusivity:
- Advocate for the equitable inclusion of all demographic groups while actively addressing issues related to oppression, privilege, and power within the higher education landscape.
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Apply Student Development and Learning Theories:
- Apply principles of student development and learning theories to enhance and inform both student affairs and teaching practices within higher education.
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Utilize Digital Tools for Enhanced Learning and Performance:
- Harness digital tools, resources, and technologies to advance student learning, development, and success, and to enhance the performance of professionals in the realm of higher education administration.
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Deliver Effective Advising and Support:
- Provide impactful guidance and support to individuals and groups within the educational context, while considering self-awareness and tailoring assistance to meet the unique needs of others.