The specialty area of Postsecondary Education Leader prepares individuals for work in postsecondary institutions. These will be leaders who bring ethical and reflective perspectives to leadership and professional practice in postsecondary education. They are committed and enabled to address the needs of society, postsecondary education, and the diverse populations they serve. Candidates will gain new skills and theoretical frameworks by examining practices in postsecondary education leadership. Graduates may hold positions in academic affairs, student affairs, support services, and other key positions of postsecondary education leadership.

Postsecondary Education in America.  An overview course that exposes students to areas such as the historical/philosophical roots of postsecondary education; the student and how demographics and programs are changing; and administrative funding, etc structures.

Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education. A course designed to provide students with an understanding of the legal climate in postsecondary environments and an in-depth examination of the legal responsibilities of administrators and faculty.

Economics and Finance in Postsecondary Environments. Includes an in-depth examination of government entities in financing education; the process for budget planning and management; policy issues (e.g., affordability, access, choice, equity, accountability, etc.). 

Institutional Development. Begins with the understanding that institutions are no longer “state-funded” but at best “state-aided”; includes the logical transition that has occurred and its impact on institutions; advocates that “fundraising is everyone’s responsibility” and focuses on strategies for placing that approach into practice; discusses strategies/benefits of “friend-raising” and gift-giving.

Issues in Postsecondary Education. A seminar course designed to deal with the variety of issues that arise in postsecondary contexts which administrators must confront and deal with on a regular basis (e.g., academic freedom/tenure, affirmative action/diversity, athletics, standards/grade inflation, Greek life, faculty rewards, student engagement, accreditation, etc.). This course could be broken out into two sections: two-year institutions and four-year institutions.

Postsecondary Change and Cultural Issues. A course dealing in analysis of how/why institutions change and how these changes affect the cultures within institutions (e.g., diversity and global issues, learning, assessment, accountability, emerging delivery systems, etc.).