EdS in Higher Education Administration | Student Affairs

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Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Ensure Student Well-Being and Implement Engaging Policy with an EdS from Liberty University

Do you aspire to work in a university setting as an administrator? Do you have a passion for implementing policies that can positively impact your students for years to come? By conferring an Education Specialist (EdS) in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs from Liberty University, you can! Partner with Liberty and be better equipped to make a difference in your career.

Our EdS allows you to develop and master a diverse range of marketable skills while you pursue positions at the collegiate level. Our student affairs specialization is specifically designed to help you take the next step in your career as you seek to improve the educational process and experience for your students.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty University’s EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs Program Online?

Our student affairs in higher education program can be completed 100% online with no set login times. That way, you can pursue your degree while remaining invested in your family, career, and community. With an EdS degree online from Liberty, you can receive a rewarding education that blends theory with practice.

If you later decide to pursue an EdD in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs, most of your credits can transfer seamlessly from your EdS to your EdD. If you are already a student affairs professional, our degree can help you prepare to pursue positions of added responsibility. Or, if you are new to the field and looking to begin a career in student affairs, our EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs can help provide the credentials you’ll need to stand out in applicant pools.

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, we know that quality education is critical. You will have access to professors who understand the process of educational administration and student affairs because they have years of experience working in these areas. Additionally, Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class postgraduate credential.

What Will You Study in Our EdS in Higher Education – Student Affairs Online Program?

In our EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs, you will take courses that examine trends and patterns in education, current issues in education, legal issues and policies, and leadership and administration in student affairs. As you explore topics like these, you will build on your current skill set while learning how to develop new and innovative solutions to common problems in your field.

As you complete your core courses, you will dive deep into the nuances of higher education administration. Through analyzing program development, educational leadership, and policy analysis, you can be better prepared to identify trends and be proactive in your career.

In our program, you can learn how to create enriching experiences for students. With our specialization in student affairs, your studies will be student-centric as you research policy and strategy for student retention, student engagement, and institutional effectiveness. You can also gain a deeper understanding of educational law, program assessment, and effective leadership strategies.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

EdS and EdD Full Time	$610/Credit
EdS and EdD Part Time	$675/Credit
Military EdS and EdD	$375/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Liberty University’s Education Specialist Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Online EdS Program

What is an EdS program?

An EdS is a postgraduate program that is designed to equip you with advanced skills and knowledge that you can apply to your profession. With an EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs, you can gain skills that translate directly into education administration or student affairs roles.

This program is a great option if you desire to gain a post-master’s degree without pursuing a PhD or other doctoral degree. If you later desire to earn your EdD, the credits in our EdS program can transfer directly into our EdD in student affairs!

What is the difference between a student affairs higher education (SAHE) degree and an EdS?

A student affairs higher education degree (SAHE) program is a specific type of degree that is focused mostly on the student affairs aspects of higher education. At Liberty, our EdS program contains a similar level of depth in topics of study, but also covers a more expansive array of topics than just student affairs so that you can gain skills in many areas of higher education administration.

Is student affairs a good career?

Student affairs can be an exciting and rewarding career, as it allows you to improve the processes and effectiveness of an institution while implementing policy that positively impacts the students who attend your institution. While many student affairs professionals work for colleges and universities, you can also pursue positions at think tanks, government agencies, and other organizations that intersect with the world of higher education.

What is the difference between an EdS and a PhD?

Is an EdS a doctoral degree?

No – an EdS is a postgraduate degree, which means that it comes after a master’s but before a doctoral degree. An EdS focuses on the main concepts that you need to apply your skills within the field. A doctoral degree also does this, but expands into research. If you desire to pursue a doctoral degree after your EdS, most of the credits in your EdS in student affairs can transfer seamlessly into our EdD in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs.

Can you teach college with an EdS?

Is Liberty University accredited?

Are any of my course credits transferrable?

How long are the courses in this program, and what are the scheduling options like?

What resources will be available to me in this program?

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs Elevate Education, Empower Students, Engage Policy

Ensure Student Well-Being and Implement Engaging Policy with an EdS from Liberty University

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty University’s EdS in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs Program Online?

What Will You Study in Our EdS in Higher Education – Student Affairs Online Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Liberty University’s Education Specialist Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Online EdS Program

What is an EdS program?

What is the difference between a student affairs higher education (SAHE) degree and an EdS?

Is student affairs a good career?

What is the difference between an EdS and a PhD?

Is an EdS a doctoral degree?

Can you teach college with an EdS?

Is Liberty University accredited?

Are any of my course credits transferrable?

How long are the courses in this program, and what are the scheduling options like?

What resources will be available to me in this program?

Are you ready to change your future?

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