Your Future in Higher Education Starts Here.
Develop the knowledge and skills to lead and promote change in higher education administration and policy.
Apply OnlineThe MSHE admission team is here to assist you! Standing: Mark Hoffman (Associate Director for Academic Advising and Enrollment), Isabel Tamas (Graduate Assistant). Sitting: Jeanine Breen (Program Assistant), Lourdes Carteño (Graduate Assistant), Cordelia Wang (Graduate Assistant).
Our Application Process
To submit a strong and competitive application, attend one of our numerous in-person and virtual information sessions, which are offered at a variety of times to accommodate your schedule as much as possible. The information sessions are interactive, helpful, and informative. Full-time applicants will learn how to request an application fee waiver.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend either a Degree or Certificates information session prior to submitting their application. The admissions committee takes information session attendance into consideration when reviewing an application.
If you are unable to attend any of the currently scheduled sessions, contact ms-highered@northwestern.edu to discuss your options.
Register for an information session.
Our students bring a variety of experiences directly from undergraduate institutions, as well as those with industry experience. Wherever you come from Chicago, Illinois, across the United States, or from around the world, your academic, professional, and personal background and perspective is a valuable part of what you bring to our program. For our international applicants, we provide specific details regarding English language proficiency, visas, and more within ‘Learn more about our application process’.
Learn more about our application processApplication Deadlines
Northwestern’s Higher Education Administration and Policy program has rolling admissions.
Full-time degree-seeking applicants may begin taking courses in either summer or fall term. Full-time degree applicants who apply by the early admission deadline (in early January) have the best chance of being awarded partial tuition scholarships, graduate assistantships, and paid internships.
Part-time degree-seeking and certificate seeking applicants may begin taking courses in spring, summer, or fall term.
Regular Admission Deadlines |
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| Desired Entrance Quarter | All Application Materials Due | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Summer or Fall 2024 | Early Application Deadline for Matriculated (full-time only): January 5, 2024 (best consideration for partial tuition scholarships, graduate assistantships, and paid internships) | June 17 or September 24, 2024 |
| Spring 2024 | Matriculated (part-time only): February 9, 2024 Non-matriculated/Certificate: February 23, 2024 |
March 26, 2024 |
| Summer 2024 | Matriculated (full-or part-time): May 3, 2024 (International applicants encouraged to submit their application by April 19, 2024 for visa processing purposes.) Non-matriculated/Certificate: May 17, 2024 |
June 17, 2024 |
| Fall 2024 | Matriculated (full- or part-time): August 2, 2024 (International applicants encouraged to submit their application by July 12, 2024 for visa processing purposes.) Non-matriculated/Certificate: August 16, 2024 |
September 24, 2024 |
Read more about the application process for applying to our degree and certificate programs.
*Preview Days
Preview Northwestern Days is a special event for MSHE degree applicants who are admitted to the program via the early admission deadline in January. At Preview Days, admitted students learn about our community through programming, interview for internships and graduate assistantships, meet with an academic adviser, and get to know faculty, alumni, current students, and future classmates. Preview Days takes place annually in early March.
A Special Message for Our International Applicants
An Enthusiastic WELCOME from the MSHE Community!
We are passionate about educating exceptional students from every corner of the globe and are so pleased that you are considering applying to be a part of the MS in Higher Education Administration and Policy (MSHE) program!
If you have not attended one of our interactive and helpful MSHE degree information sessions, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a session here. Attending an information session will help you determine if the MSHE degree is right for you and result in a stronger application.
Also, please refer to specific application information for international applicants, which is located here. If, after reading this helpful information, you have questions regarding components of the MSHE application, contact Jeanine Breen (MSHE Program Assistant). If you have questions about the MSHE program, the admission process, or higher education, contact Mark Hoffman (Associate Director). Both will be glad to assist you!