Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$933
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
Todays adults are lifelong learners, meaning the majority of individuals all around the world are interested not only in postsecondary education (e.g., colleges, universities), but also in learning that extends far beyond these formal settings. As such, organizations, from colleges and universities to private and public workplaces across all industries, and the professionals that staff such organizations need a range of competencies and perspectives.
The completely online Master of Arts in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University prepares students to succeed in careers connected to lifelong learning by providing knowledge and skills in areas such as organizational administration and leadership, finance and budgeting, curriculum development, teaching and learning, and evaluation.
Our program has long been ranked among the nations best, and our courses are taught by renowned faculty members, one of the largest groups of full-time faculties dedicated to higher education and lifelong learning. The degree is customizable to your interests and goals through courses, independent studies and applied experiences. But no matter what area of lifelong education in which you specialize, you will be ready to facilitate organizational development and change, nurture a commitment to lifelong learning and honor diversity, inclusivity, and equity.
HALE students tend to work full time and often pursue a HALE MA to deepen their skills and knowledge and make advancements or shifts in their professional careers.
Program Highlights
#2 in Higher Education Administration in U.S. News Ranking for 2023
Program Outcomes
Based on the objectives of the program, you will:
- Understand central issues in postsecondary organization and leadership, teaching and learning, and administration.
- Gain inquiry skills and use them to understand important problems in the context of postsecondary practice.
- Connect theoretical understandings to the practice of administration, leadership, and teaching through coursework and related experiences.
- Understand the broad social consequences of your educational and leadership duties and the ethical nature of your role.
- Engage in disciplined reflection on your experience, studies, and practices.
Career Outlook
HALE graduates work at colleges and universities, nonprofits, public agencies and private industries. They are enacting change across the nation and around the world as student affairs professionals, educators, entry or mid-level administrators, teaching and learning professionals, fundraisers, and senior level organizational leaders.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #1 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #2 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #7 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
Dr. Riyad A. Shahjahan
Program Coordinator
Riyad A. Shahjahan is the Program Coordinator of Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University.
Course Information
Core
EAD 840 - Inquiry in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits) EAD 868 - Proseminar in Higher and Adult Education (3 Credits)Electives
Choose Three of the Following Courses (9 credits)
EAD 801 - Leadership and Organizational Development (3 Credits)
EAD 805 - Administration in Higher Education (3 Credits)
EAD 860 - Concept of a Learning Society (3 Credits)
EAD 861 - Adult Learning (3 Credits)
EAD 866 - Teaching in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 870 - Foundations of Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 876 - Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education (3 Credits)
EAD 877 - Program Planning and Evaluation in Postsecondary Contexts (3 Credits)
Choose Five Additional Courses (15 credits)
Fifteen (15) additional credits, of which nine (9) credits must be Educational Administration (EAD) courses within the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program. Other graduate level courses may be taken with the approval of your advisor.
Final Essay
Students in this program will also be required to complete and submit a final portfolio project.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Two to three years of work experience.
- CV/Résumé
- A written personal statement
- Personal statement should answer the following questions in 750 words: What inspires you to pursue a career in higher, adult, and lifelong education?
What qualities, characteristics, and skills make you a strong candidate for the HALE M.A. program?
How will the HALE program help you meet your personal and professional goals?
Please include the final word count at the end of your document (e.g. “Word Count: 750”). - 3 letters of recommendation
At least one should be from a faculty member who had you as a student. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send official transcripts from each degree-granting institution attended, via email to haleadm@msu.edu or by mail to:
Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program
c/o HALE Admissions Assistant Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University - Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm 423
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Provisional admission is, on occasion, granted to students that do not have a 3.0 undergraduate G.P.A.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
Friday of the first full week of September
Spring
Application Deadline
Friday of the first full week of April
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
Todays adults are lifelong learners, meaning the majority of individuals all around the world are interested not only in postsecondary education (e.g., colleges, universities), but also in learning that extends far beyond these formal settings. As such, organizations, from colleges and universities to private and public workplaces across all industries, and the professionals that staff such organizations need a range of competencies and perspectives.
The completely online Master of Arts in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University prepares students to succeed in careers connected to lifelong learning by providing knowledge and skills in areas such as organizational administration and leadership, finance and budgeting, curriculum development, teaching and learning, and evaluation.
Our program has long been ranked among the nations best, and our courses are taught by renowned faculty members, one of the largest groups of full-time faculties dedicated to higher education and lifelong learning. The degree is customizable to your interests and goals through courses, independent studies and applied experiences. But no matter what area of lifelong education in which you specialize, you will be ready to facilitate organizational development and change, nurture a commitment to lifelong learning and honor diversity, inclusivity, and equity.
HALE students tend to work full time and often pursue a HALE MA to deepen their skills and knowledge and make advancements or shifts in their professional careers.
Program Highlights
#2 in Higher Education Administration in U.S. News Ranking for 2023
Program Outcomes
Based on the objectives of the program, you will:
- Understand central issues in postsecondary organization and leadership, teaching and learning, and administration.
- Gain inquiry skills and use them to understand important problems in the context of postsecondary practice.
- Connect theoretical understandings to the practice of administration, leadership, and teaching through coursework and related experiences.
- Understand the broad social consequences of your educational and leadership duties and the ethical nature of your role.
- Engage in disciplined reflection on your experience, studies, and practices.
Career Outlook
HALE graduates work at colleges and universities, nonprofits, public agencies and private industries. They are enacting change across the nation and around the world as student affairs professionals, educators, entry or mid-level administrators, teaching and learning professionals, fundraisers, and senior level organizational leaders.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #1 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #2 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #7 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
Dr. Riyad A. Shahjahan
Program Coordinator
Riyad A. Shahjahan is the Program Coordinator of Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University.
Course Information
Core
EAD 840 - Inquiry in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits) EAD 868 - Proseminar in Higher and Adult Education (3 Credits)Electives
Choose Three of the Following Courses (9 credits)
EAD 801 - Leadership and Organizational Development (3 Credits)
EAD 805 - Administration in Higher Education (3 Credits)
EAD 860 - Concept of a Learning Society (3 Credits)
EAD 861 - Adult Learning (3 Credits)
EAD 866 - Teaching in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 870 - Foundations of Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 876 - Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education (3 Credits)
EAD 877 - Program Planning and Evaluation in Postsecondary Contexts (3 Credits)
Choose Five Additional Courses (15 credits)
Fifteen (15) additional credits, of which nine (9) credits must be Educational Administration (EAD) courses within the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program. Other graduate level courses may be taken with the approval of your advisor.
Final Essay
Students in this program will also be required to complete and submit a final portfolio project.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Two to three years of work experience.
- CV/Résumé
- A written personal statement
- Personal statement should answer the following questions in 750 words: What inspires you to pursue a career in higher, adult, and lifelong education?
What qualities, characteristics, and skills make you a strong candidate for the HALE M.A. program?
How will the HALE program help you meet your personal and professional goals?
Please include the final word count at the end of your document (e.g. “Word Count: 750”). - 3 letters of recommendation
At least one should be from a faculty member who had you as a student. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send official transcripts from each degree-granting institution attended, via email to haleadm@msu.edu or by mail to:
Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program
c/o HALE Admissions Assistant Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University - Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm 423
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Provisional admission is, on occasion, granted to students that do not have a 3.0 undergraduate G.P.A.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
Friday of the first full week of September
Spring
Application Deadline
Friday of the first full week of April
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$933
$933
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.