New M.Ed. in Ed. Leadership in Adult & Higher Education launched
Delaware State University has further expanded its advanced degree offerings through the establishment of a new Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership in Adult & Higher Education (Ad&HE).
This program – which will be offered in the Fall 2025 – will be one of a select few in the state of Delaware, and one of less than 10 existing programs at an HBCU focused on the professional preparation of higher education administrators and educators.
The program will be taught by full-time faculty and supported by nationally recognized scholar-practitioners. These include Dr. Adriel Hilton, an affiliate faculty member, who has been recognized by the American College Personnel Association for his contributions to the study of higher education and is a nationally recognized researcher and expert on HBCUs.
“Teaching at Delaware State University has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The program’s commitment to blending theory with practice allows me to engage with students who are passionate about transforming higher education,” Dr. Hilton said. “It’s inspiring to work alongside such dedicated future leaders, knowing that the knowledge and skills they are gaining will have a profound impact on the institutions and communities they serve.”
The Adult & Higher Education program will be a synchronous online program that will allow for collaboration between students and faculty. The accelerated courses will meet weekly and are remote, allowing students to complete the program from anywhere and even internationally. The program is designed to attract those in entry-level or adjacent post-secondary professional positions seeking career advancement or advanced competency.
Dr. Justin Alexander, Assistant Professor of Higher Education, believes the program curriculum is unique because “students come to college with their different multiple identities in which more adult learners are returning to complete their degrees. This new progressive program blends coursework about adult education, learning and development, and college administration.”
The curriculum within the program will be distinctive and taught across a focused “core four” competencies of Diversity, Adult & College Student Development, Assessment, and Student Success. The program is unique and blends courses in adult education as well as foundational courses in higher education administration. Students will engage with course content that challenges learners to consider higher education as an integrated and loosely coupled spectrum of adult and higher education.
Dr. Pietro Sasso, Associate Professor of Higher Education, believes the curriculum will “synthesize a number of critical perspectives grounded in the theory and practice of higher education administration to prepare post-secondary professionals who are committed to supporting student diversity and success.” Students will also gain research expertise by completing capstone projects with higher education clients, which will provide context for institutional accountability systems. Other signature experiences include an optional internship or courses addressing student retention or history of higher education.
Dr. Tina Mitchell, Director of Graduate Education Programs at Delaware State, said, “We are confident that this program will create accessible pathways for reaching students both nationally and internationally, contributing to the diversification of the higher education profession. It provides valuable opportunities to establish direct connections with other HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions in the preparation of future higher education professionals.” The new MEd program will also offer a direct pathway into the EdD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education, which will allow students to earn both degrees within approximately five years at Delaware State University.
Overall, the program complements the recently expanded interest in the graduate programs in education at Delaware State University. “This program will build on a culture of excellence within our department to educate and prepare culturally responsive educational leaders – it is crucial now more than ever at every level, from PreK-12 through higher education. This program will offer opportunities for our students to be educated and collaborate with locally, nationally, and even globally recognized higher education faculty,” according to Department of Education Chair Dr. Shelley Rouser.
The higher education programs include the current Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in Higher Education as well as a forthcoming new Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership in Adult & Higher Education (Ad&HE). The program is now open for applications for fall 2025 admissions, and prospective students should visit the program website and contact the higher education graduate programs coordinator, Dr. Pietro Sasso.