Purpose of the Program
The University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort Master’s in Higher Education Administration part-time program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for research, faculty, policy, and administrative roles in community colleges. This program is designed and open to applicants who work part-time or full-time in the Alamo Colleges District.
Aligned with San Antonio College’s mission— "to empower our community for success by meeting the postsecondary learning needs of all students through equitable educational practices for diverse populations in a globally networked society"—the program emphasizes:
- Transformative Leadership: Cultivating scholar-leaders dedicated to fostering supportive policies and practices in community colleges.
- Reflective Practice: Faculty encourages critical thinking, introspection, and the integration of personal and professional experiences.
- Collaborative Learning: Active engagement within a cohort model prepares students to address diverse perspectives and make meaningful contributions to the community college sector.
Ideal for practitioner-scholars, this program combines academic rigor with real-world application, empowering graduates to drive innovation and equity in higher education.
Program Details
This is a non-thesis cohort-based 30-credit-hour master’s degree program with advanced study in Community College Leadership. The program is complemented by 3-credit hours and 150-hours of supervised and practicum internship experience. Students enter the program in the spring semester as members of a cohort group. Classes are offered at one of the Alamo Colleges institutions two evenings a week from 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm during fall and spring semesters. Two summer semesters are also required. Summer schedules are designed around the Alamo Colleges four-day summer work week.
To create learning environments where students network with and learn from Community College leaders, both UT San Antonio full-time faculty and community college practitioner faculty teach classes, allowing students to broaden their networks and apply their knowledge to practitioner-based work. Students follow a sequenced class structure and maintain continuous enrollment each semester, ensuring graduation in less than two years.
Contact
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
UT San Antonio empowers next generation of community college leaders
UT San Antonio provides staff members at the Alamo Colleges with an opportunity to advance in their careers. The university’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) offers a tailored M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration program at the Alamo Community College District to prepare graduate students for leadership roles, equipping them with tools to advocate for students and engage in policy discussions.
Learn more about the experiences of the students in Cohort 5.
Prospective Students FAQs
For prospective students, what are the goals of pursuing The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Alamo Colleges cohort program?
The University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort program develops well-rounded professionals prepared to handle the diverse challenges facing community colleges today with a strong foundation in student development theory, higher education law, assessment, and finance. Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Drive institutional strategies that make meaningful social impacts, facilitate student belonging, and substantially cultivate trust and inclusion across diverse workforces.
- Build strong cross-organizational partnerships that enhance community colleges’ unique role in advancing local workforce and credentialing needs.
- Lead enterprise-wide programs and regional innovations that directly impact community colleges, their students, staff, faculty, and various stakeholders.
How much does the program cost?
The University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort program acknowledges that affordability is a major factor influencing whether students pursue a graduate education. As such, this program is designed to offer students an affordable high quality master’s degree in higher education administration. Admitted students to the University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort program are afforded discounted fees (depends on cohort size), and classes that use low-to-no cost open education resources for class readings and textbooks through UTSA’s library services. Offering classes at an Alamo Colleges campus offers additional low-to-no cost measures. Having the ability to complete the program in less than two years also means paying less for a master’s degree and being eligible sooner for administrative positions with higher pay rates. This thoughtful design aims to reduce the overall costs associated with affording a master’s degree in higher education administration.
For more information about the current graduate tuition and fees for UT San Antonio, visit the Financial Affairs Services Tuition and Fee Estimator.
Does the program offer scholarships?
Students admitted to the University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort program are eligible for scholarships awarded by the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Awarding is subject to scholarship availability and is typically disbursed based on the departmental scholarship application process.
What is the process and requirements for applying to the cohort?
How to Apply
Step 1: The University of Texas at San Antonio Graduate School Application
Step 2: Program Supporting Application Materials
- One-to-two page statement of purpose that indicates you are applying for the University of Texas at San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort in Higher Education Administration master’s program, and specifies (1) the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration, (2) a biographical sketch of the applicant’s experiences relevant to higher education administration, and (3) career plans after obtaining a master’s degree in higher education administration.
- Applicants are required to upload transcripts from each institution attended. International transcripts must be recorded/translated to English. Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. Send electronic transcripts to: graduate.documents@utsa.edu.
Application Deadline
- December 15, 2025, for domestic applicants.
Required Degree
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States is required or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
Minimum GPA
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in a baccalaureate degree is required. If an applicant’s GPA is lower than a 3.0 in their previous 60 hours of coursework, conditional admission may be granted. 
Graduate Records Examination (GRE)
The UT San Antonio Alamo Colleges cohort in Higher Education Administration master’s program does NOT require a submission of Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores.
International Students
Please consult the UT San Antonio Graduate School website for additional admissions requirements.
Spring 2026
HSA 6513: Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs
EDU 5003: Research Methods
Summer 2026
HSA 6503: The Contemporary Community College
HSA 6933: Internship/Practicum in Higher Education Administration
Fall 2026
HSA 5003: History of American Higher Education
HSA 5103: College Student Development
Spring 2027
HSA 5403: Partnerships for College and Career Readiness
HSA 6003: Higher Education Law and Policy
Summer 2027
HSA 6123: Program Planning and Evaluation in Higher Education and Student Affairs
HSA 6143: Administrative Issues in Higher Education and Student Affairs
HSA 6513: Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs
EDU 5003: Research Methods
Summer 2026
HSA 6503: The Contemporary Community College
HSA 6933: Internship/Practicum in Higher Education Administration
Fall 2026
HSA 5003: History of American Higher Education
HSA 5103: College Student Development
Spring 2027
HSA 5403: Partnerships for College and Career Readiness
HSA 6003: Higher Education Law and Policy
Summer 2027
HSA 6123: Program Planning and Evaluation in Higher Education and Student Affairs
HSA 6143: Administrative Issues in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Program Core Requirements
EDU 5003. Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Basic concepts of research design, strategies of experimental, historical, and descriptive research, and basic statistical procedures are introduced. Participants use these concepts to read, interpret, and evaluate educational and counseling research and to plan such research.
HSA 5023. Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Provides initial insight into the student affairs profession, including expectations and ethical standards of the profession. This survey course introduces students to the numerous differentiated student affairs functional areas in postsecondary education by using theory-based and application-oriented approaches.
HSA 5003. History of American Higher Education. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
A knowledge of history makes possible the awareness and understanding of present-day issues in higher education, such as the interdependence and role of higher education in society. This course covers the development of western higher education from the 11th century to the present with an emphasis on the development of U.S. higher education since the colonial colleges. Course sections may use chronological, critical, thematic, or other strategies for covering content.
HSA 5103. College Student Development. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course offers those who work or plan to work in post-secondary educational institutions the opportunity to build an understanding of classic and contemporary college student development theories and their application in practice.
HSA 6003. Higher Education Law and Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the legal status of higher education in the United States, the rights and responsibilities of educators and students including fair employment, due process, tort liability and contracts, student rights, landmark court decisions, and federal and state legislation having an impact on education.
Administrative Services Requirement
HSA 6123. Program Planning and Evaluation in Higher Education and Student Affairs. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
An overview of program evaluation theories, models and perspectives currently being applied in higher education. Emphasis will be on how to plan programs and perform evaluations of functional areas and/or organizational units in higher education that are focused on student support, activities and success.
HSA 6143. Administrative Practices in Higher Education and Student Affairs. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Examines the organization and administration of student services in institutions of higher education. Theories, research, and methods are used to encourage the application of theory to practical experience. Topics will include the administrative environment of student affairs, organizational and management issues of student affairs, essential skills and competencies for student affairs managers, professional standards and principles of good practice, and challenges for the future.
Community College Leadership Concentration
HSA 6503. The Contemporary Community College. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Examines the history, purpose and societal role of the American community college. Provides an overview of the different functions of the community college and the major issues impacting community college governance and administration. The contemporary role of community colleges in P–20 efforts is also discussed.
HSA 5403. Partnerships for College and Career Readiness. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces school-postsecondary-community collaboration to improve students’ readiness to transition from high school to college or workforce. The course covers theoretical models and real-world examples of effective practice, as well as how the policy context shapes opportunities to collaborate. Students are asked to consider which partnership approaches are transformative in that they systematically improve practice and/or outcomes. The role of community colleges in school-postsecondary-community partnerships for college readiness is discussed.
Internship
HSA 6933. Internship/Practicum in Higher Education Administration. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course is designed to provide exploratory experience for students in different functional areas of higher education (i.e., student affairs, academic affairs, or policy and governance) to help them gain a perspective of the breadth and depth of college administration. Individually supervised field experience of 150 hours in a functional area of higher education is required.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is required as described separately in this catalog (see the Graduate Catalog, Master’s Degree Regulations).
Total: 30 Hours
UT San Antonio Master’s in Higher Education Administration Information Sessions
Apply for the Master’s in Higher Education Administration Part-Time Program
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