About this Program
Old Dominion University offers a Master of Science in Education degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. The program is offered on-campus in Norfolk, Virginia and draws students from across the country and abroad to its comprehensive curriculum, nationally recognized faculty, and emphasis on practical experience. The 36-credit program takes full-time students two academic years or four semesters to complete. ODU's reputation as a U.S. News & World Report top-ranked research university and its status as the most affordable university in the Commonwealth of Virginia make the degree a strong investment in a career in higher education administration.
Careers & Outcomes
Graduates of ODU's M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Higher Education concentration pursue administrative and leadership roles across colleges and universities. The Hampton Roads region alone hosts seven four-year institutions and three community colleges, providing a strong placement network within commuting distance of campus. Median U.S. salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for primary roles include:
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary. $103,960 median salary. Plan, direct, and coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and academic programs at colleges and universities.
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. $103,460 median salary. Often a career path for higher education graduates working in dual-enrollment, college access, and K-16 partnership programs.
- Higher Education Student Affairs roles.
- Institutional Research and Assessment.
Careers & Outcomes
Graduates of ODU's M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Higher Education concentration pursue administrative and leadership roles across colleges and universities. The Hampton Roads region alone hosts seven four-year institutions and three community colleges, providing a strong placement network within commuting distance of campus. Median U.S. salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for primary roles include:
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary. $103,960 median salary. Plan, direct, and coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and academic programs at colleges and universities.
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. $103,460 median salary. Often a career path for higher education graduates working in dual-enrollment, college access, and K-16 partnership programs.
- Higher Education Student Affairs roles.
- Institutional Research and Assessment.
Program Highlights
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1 Program, 3 Tracks. The M.S.Ed. program allows you to specialize in your cohort while one of three tracks:
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48+ assistantships and internships across the region. Students complete up to eight interviews for graduate assistantships and internships at higher education institutions in the Hampton Roads region and beyond — including research universities, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, and community colleges.
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Conference travel support. ODU Graduate Assistants receive travel support to attend and present at national higher education conferences (NASPA, ACPA, NAFSA, SACSA, and others).
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Study abroad options.
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Diversity and inclusive excellence. ODU is a minority-serving institution that ranks among CollegeNet's top universities on the Social Mobility Index for high-quality education that provides economic opportunity.
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Cohort-based learning.
Featured Courses
Requirements
M.S.Ed. fall semester applicant review begins on January 1st and continues on a rolling basis. Fall applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible in preparation for Monarch Preview Days in mid-February. M.S.Ed. spring semester applicants must apply by October 1st. To apply to the program:
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Complete an online application, and pay application fee;
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Upload unofficial transcripts from previous educational institutions;
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Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.
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Applicants also upload supplemental materials including:
• A CV or resume that describes the your academic and professional background;
• One-page Essay/Statement of Purpose that addresses: What are your professional interests and goals? Why are you interested in higher education? Why do you wish to obtain a MSEd?
• A writing sample from undergraduate coursework;
• Two (2) letters of recommendation: one academic, one professional. At least one letter must come from a professor or an individual who describes the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Applicants will enter the emails for references in the online system, and references will be emailed a link to upload a letter of recommendation on letterhead and complete the online reference form.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ODU tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Graduate Assistantships
No additional forms need to be submitted with your online application to be considered for graduate assistantships (GAs). Admitted students are automatically eligible for GAs, so applicants do NOT need to complete the optional Application for Institutional Graduate Financial Assistance form to be considered for GAs.
What's the difference between an M.S.Ed. and an M.Ed. in Higher Education?
Both are master's degrees in education. ODU's degree is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), which historically signals a research-and-applied-practice orientation. Some peer institutions offer a Master of Education (M.Ed.) instead, which carries a similar curriculum and similar career outcomes. For higher education administration careers, the two degrees are functionally equivalent in most hiring contexts.
The 36-credit program takes full-time students two academic years (four semesters) to complete.
Tuition costs vary by program and are subject to change. Visit the Current Tuition Rates page for the most up-to-date tuition information.
The M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Higher Education concentration is offered on-campus in Norfolk, Virginia.
Graduates work in administrative and leadership roles across colleges and universities — admissions, academic advising, student affairs, residence life, institutional research, financial aid, registrar services, alumni relations, and university advancement. Median salary for postsecondary education administrators is $103,960 (BLS). The Hampton Roads region alone has seven four-year institutions and three community colleges within commuting distance.
Yes. ODU students can complete up to eight interviews for assistantships across 48+ different placement opportunities at higher education institutions in the region, including research universities, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, and community colleges. Assistantships typically include tuition support and a stipend.
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