The Global Higher Education program helps you explore how universities operate worldwide, develop key leadership and research skills, and advance your professional expertise.
Our cohort-based, flexible program adapts to your goals and schedule.
- 30 credits: 10-12 courses
- In-person classes on UW–Madison campus
- Flexibility to design course plan
- Cohort model
- Embedded professional development
Length Of Study
Students typically select a track after the first two months in the program and have the opportunity to extend their program if needed.
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Regular Track: 1.5 years
- Students generally take courses in the Fall, Spring and Fall semester.
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Comprehensive Track: up to 2 years
- Students gain more flexibility in designing their course plan around personal goals.
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Intensive Track: 12 months
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- For details, please contact the program director.
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Sample Course Sequences
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Regular Track: Complete program in 1.5 years
Most students choose to graduate in 1.5 years, taking courses mostly in the Fall, Spring, and Fall semester.
First semester (Fall) – Up to 9 credits
Students will take one core course and two foundational courses to begin their studies.
ELPA 885 — Leadership for Study Abroad Programs and International Student Services
Examines leaderships and management in study abroad and international student services, including current trends, challenges and best practices in global education. (3 credits)
ELPA 701 — Intro to Higher and Post-Secondary Education
Examines the history, ideas, and the evolving structure of higher education, including key players, leadership, and issues shaping education today. (3 credits)
ELPA 725 — Research Methods and Procedures in Educational Administration
Introduces the role of theory and hypothesis testing in research, covering the development of questions, designing studies, analyzing data, and evaluating published studies. (3 credits)
Second Semester (Spring) – Up to 12 credits
Students will take one core course and choose from electives to complete the schedule.
ELPA 886 — Internationalization of Higher Education
Take an inside look on how university programs go global – covering study abroad, international partnerships, teaching, methods of supporting international students both in the U.S. and around the world. (3 credits)
Choose from Electives:
ELPA 502 Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Higher Education Administration
ELPA 888 Assessment in Higher Education
An overview of the key concepts, tools, and practices of assessment in academic and student services settings.
ELPA 856 Mobility and Inclusion in International Higher Education
Develop knowledge, expertise, and research skills in creating and implementing policies, programs, and strategies aimed at promoting international mobility in higher education.
ELPA 719 Introduction to Qualitative Research
Provides an overview of qualitative inquiry, examining assumptions, standards, and methods for generating and communicating interpretations. Methodological and theoretical works illustrate case study, ethnography, narrative, and action research.
Optional Summer Semester (no more than 6 credits)
Students may choose to take 1-2 courses in the summer.
Final Semester (Fall) – 3-12 credits
Students will take one core course and choose from electives to bring their semester plan to 3–12 credits and meet the minimum of 30-credit degree requirement.
ELPA 715 — Governance and Administration of Colleges and Universities
Explore how colleges and universities operate, including roles of administration, governing boards, faculty, and students, and how they shape policy. (3 credits)
Choose from Electives:
ELPA 736 Administration of Student Affairs in Higher Education
Organization and administration of student services in higher education.
ELPA 878 The American Community College
Addresses policies, trends, and debates in the evolution of the American community college from the start of the 20th century to the present, plus current research on the community college and the diverse body of students it serves.
ELPA 881 Ideas of the University: Images of Higher Learning for the 21st Century
Explores alternative images and models to guide universities in the twenty-first century.
ELPA 882 Minority Serving Institutions of Higher Education
Examines the origins, contemporary landscape, structures, and stakeholders of minority-serving institutions, including challenges and opportunities for research and practice.
ELPA 822: Intro to Quantitative Inquiry in Education
Use the concepts and methods of quantitative social science research to conduct research on education issues.
ELPA 827: Surveys & Other Quantitative Data Collection Strategies
Methods and concepts of survey research methods as they are commonly used in education research.
Comprehensive Track: Complete program in 2 or more years
Students who opt for the 2-year track gain more flexibility to design their course plan around personal goals, from exploring diverse courses to pursuing careers, sustaining employment, or enhancing research and professional expertise.
First Semester (Fall) – Two courses (6–9 credits)
Students will choose at least two courses from below for 6–9 credits.
ELPA 885 — Leadership for Study Abroad Programs and International Student Services
Examines leaderships and management in study abroad and international student services, including current trends, challenges and best practices in global education. (3 credits)
ELPA 701 — Intro to Higher and Post-Secondary Education
Examines the history, ideas, and the evolving structure of higher education, including key players, leadership, and issues shaping education today. (3 credits)
ELPA 725 — Research Methods and Procedures in Educational Administration
Introduces the role of theory and hypothesis testing in research, covering the development of questions, designing studies, analyzing data, and evaluating published studies. (3 credits)
Second Semester (Spring) to Final Semesters
Students will work closely with their graduate academic advisor to design individualized, tailor-made course plans for each semester.
Electives to Choose From
Throughout the Global Higher Education program, students will select electives to complete their schedules. Some courses may require completion of a core or foundational course before enrolling.
Electives
ELPA 502 Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Higher Education Administration
ELPA 888 Assessment in Higher Education
An overview of the key concepts, tools, and practices of assessment in academic and student services settings.
ELPA 856 Mobility and Inclusion in International Higher Education
Develop knowledge, expertise, and research skills in creating and implementing policies, programs, and strategies aimed at promoting international mobility in higher education.
ELPA 719 Introduction to Qualitative Research
Provides an overview of qualitative inquiry, examining assumptions, standards, and methods for generating and communicating interpretations. Methodological and theoretical works illustrate case study, ethnography, narrative, and action research.
Electives
ELPA 736 Administration of Student Affairs in Higher Education
Organization and administration of student services in higher education.
ELPA 878 The American Community College
Addresses policies, trends, and debates in the evolution of the American community college from the start of the 20th century to the present, plus current research on the community college and the diverse body of students it serves.
ELPA 881 Ideas of the University: Images of Higher Learning for the 21st Century
Explores alternative images and models to guide universities in the twenty-first century.
ELPA 882 Minority Serving Institutions of Higher Education
Examines the origins, contemporary landscape, structures, and stakeholders of minority-serving institutions, including challenges and opportunities for research and practice.
ELPA 822: Intro to Quantitative Inquiry in Education
Use the concepts and methods of quantitative social science research to conduct research on education issues.
ELPA 827: Surveys & Other Quantitative Data Collection Strategies
Methods and concepts of survey research methods as they are commonly used in education research.
Curricular Policies
Students must receive approval from their faculty advisor and/or the program director to take courses outside the required curriculum. Concurrent enrollment in other undergraduate, graduate, or certificate programs is not allowed.