Institution California State University, Fullerton State California Academic Level Graduate Issue Area Academic Program Website https://ed.fullerton.edu/edleadership/academic-programs/mshe.php Key Personnel Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton Program Focus Career/Workforce Overview For 15 years, California State University, Fullerton’s Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE) program has excelled in producing leaders who serve the needs of today’s diverse students. This 30-unit program spans five semesters and facilitates learning through a cohort-based scholarly community. The mission is to prepare entry-level professionals and those seeking career changes for roles in higher education that support student learning and development. MSHE provides a culturally responsive curriculum encompassing leadership, social justice and advocacy, education, assessment and evaluation, and personal and professional development. The program emphasizes leadership theories, advocacy skills, research practices, curriculum development, and understanding the history and foundations of student affairs. Program Description Before 2009, the Department of Educational Leadership's graduate programs lacked a higher education component. The MSHE program was created alongside a doctoral program in community college leadership to fill this gap. MSHE focuses on supporting culturally diverse students, particularly Latinx students, using elements of community cultural wealth like navigational, linguistic, familial, and resistance capital. The program includes the annual Maywood Service-Learning Project, a scholarship fair in Maywood, California where 98% of the population is Latinx. This event promotes a college-going culture through Spanish-language learning, scholarship fundraising, and workshops for students and parents. MSHE also incorporates fieldwork, faculty and peer mentorship, critical self-analysis, case studies, graduate assistantships, and conference attendance. Faculty adapt instruction and program structure based on student feedback, ensuring accessibility for diverse cohorts. The program draws on theory and literature by Latinx and scholars of color to stay informed about student experiences and trends. Outcome The MSHE program is deeply committed to promoting the academic and professional success of its students. Given the nature of its programming and intentional design, Latino students are graduating from the program and entering the workforce upon graduation at an impressive rate. Last year, the MSHE program was 70% Latino students. Academic Success: For the last three years, 2020-2023, graduation rates of Latinx students have been over 92%. The overall graduation rate has been 91%. In comparison, the 2-year graduation rate for master’s level students at CSUF in 2018 was 52.5%. Employment: Since graduating from the program, 80 of 88 graduates from the 2020-2023 academic years are employed. In the same time frame, 58 of 62 Latino graduates are employed in higher education. In the senior cohort graduating in May 2024, 16 of 32 Latino students have full-time employment in higher education in a role such as assistant dean, counselor, coordinator, or advisor. MSHE is successful in preparing students to enter the workforce in positions that support student learning and development. Learn more about Latino College Completion in California Return to Growing What Works Database
