Curriculum

Students are introduced to the financial structure of colleges and universities and the impact of budget activities on areas of planning and operations within an institution. We explore developing institutional and departmental financial plans and designing budgets to implement those plans. Through a pragmatic approach, our focus is on long-term finance strategies, budgetary approaches, budget-making, and resource allocation. We assess how environmental factors (e.g., enrollment trends, government funding, geographical need for jobs) impact colleges and universities by institution type (e.g., community college, liberal arts college, university). We also enhance our ability to communicate about issues related to budget and finance in higher education. In this course we use introductory Excel to add, subtract, multiply, and divide when calculating budgets.

Students examine ways that administrators perform effective, high-quality program assessments in a variety of higher education-related environments. We develop a foundational understanding of the scholarship of assessment and a framework for thinking about how professionals conduct assessment successfully to promote educational quality. Students explore data uses and discuss analysis methods. We also explore the larger public policy context that brings assessment to the forefront of the U.S. higher education agenda. Students apply their understanding through developing an assessment plan (e.g., program curriculum, student orientation, faculty initiatives, international partnerships), which could be used to improve effectiveness of a program, department, institution, or higher education-related organization.

Students explore the evolution and present structure of U.S. higher education and become acquainted with the values, processes, and language to explore critical issues facing colleges and universities (e.g., opportunity, cost, financial aid, research, freedom of speech, intercollegiate athletics, national and global topics). This course broadens our understanding of U.S. higher education far beyond the individual’s enrollment or employment experience at a college or university. We use basic case study analysis tools to describe different institutional types and settings (e.g., liberal arts colleges, community colleges, public land grant universities, for-profit institutions, faith-based institutions) to help us realize the complexity and diversity of institutions. Instructor(s) and guest speakers share their professional experiences to broaden our awareness of the higher education landscape and career pathways.

Students develop foundational knowledge of how to understand U.S. laws and ethical principles commonly associated with higher education. We explore, reflect, and critique current and emerging legal issues that higher education professionals navigate, such as duty of care, constitutional and civil rights, athletics and Title IX compliance, discrimination, student records and discipline, campus safety, and study abroad. We learn how to work with legal professionals and other colleagues to address and resolve legal matters. We also critically analyze common ethical dilemmas (e.g., academic freedom, conflicts of interest, fairness and equity) that higher education professionals face.

Students develop an understanding of crisis management models and apply these frameworks to address how crises and mental health issues variably impact people in higher education communities. We introduce the concept of crisis (types and stages), the relationship to legal obligations, the managing of internal and external communications, and the prevalent mental health issues among students, faculty, and staff. We use real-world events (e.g., campus shootings, student activism, natural disasters, pandemic) to understand what these crises mean for internal stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, staff, administration) and for external stakeholders (e.g., first responders, community residents, alumni, local government) and how they can effectively work together. Students also gain Mental Health First Aid Certification, a highly sought-after credential in higher education administration, through certified Northwestern University trainers.

Students explore history, theory, and administrative frameworks of internationalization in higher education organizations. Through case studies, briefings and other practical exercises, students realize the role of administrators and institutional leaders in creating internationalization agendas and partnerships with offices inside and outside of the university. Institutional strategy will be considered in the context of external forces—for example, world/regional crises or the priorities of non-university actors. Transformative partnership models and new approaches to internationalization will be studied, and students will become more prepared to successfully lead within the university or other organizations by gaining familiarity with their own intercultural communication skills.