The University is expanding its online portfolio this fall with two new master's programs—one designed for health professionals who teach and train future clinicians, the other for higher education leaders navigating a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by artificial intelligence.
Both programs are designed for working professionals who want to advance into leadership without stepping away from their careers.
"The University of Miami has always been committed to preparing graduates who are ready to lead, not just ready to learn," said Rey Sanchez, associate dean for strategic initiatives and innovation at the Frost School of Music and the interim associate provost for online learning. "These two programs reflect that commitment, as well as the specific, urgent needs of two fields that are changing faster than traditional education has kept pace with."
Teaching the teachers
The Master of Health Professions Education, offered through the Miller School of Medicine, is designed for clinicians, faculty, and other healthcare professionals seeking advanced training in curriculum design, assessment, and evidence-based teaching. The 33-credit program takes two to two-and-a-half years to complete and draws on interdisciplinary faculty from medicine, nursing, public health, psychology, and learning sciences.
Every course is built around direct application in clinical, academic, or healthcare settings. Students complete the degree with an applied culminating project—a thesis, teaching practicum, or leadership practicum—conducted within their own institution.
"The Master of Health Professions Education foregrounds the science of learning as a foundation for effective teaching—that is, teaching grounded in how people learn," said Adrian Reynolds, assistant professor of professional practice at the Miller School and director of the program.
"Although fully online, the program is designed to ensure students graduate with hands‑on experience, professional impact, and demonstrated applied expertise in health professions education."
Data and AI come to higher ed leadership
The Master of Science in Higher Education Administration: Data, Strategy, and Innovation, housed in the School of Education and Human Development, helps university administrators and student affairs professionals lead through an era of data and AI-driven institutional change.
The 30-credit program is built to complete in one year and integrates machine learning, data analytics, and AI tools directly into coursework on student success, enrollment management, institutional policy, and strategic planning.
Students work with real institutional data, not hypothetical scenarios, and cap the degree with a live consulting project alongside an actual institutional, nonprofit, or corporate education partner. They also gain access to resources from the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, including AI bootcamps and hackathons.
"Our program emphasizes the use of technological advances to make informed decisions in the higher education environment, engage students, and promote their personal and academic success," said Carol-Anne Phekoo, associate professor of professional practice and director of the program. "Experiential learning is part of every course to help our students build the technical and strategic leadership skills needed in today's multifaceted institutions."
The Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and the Master of Health Professions Education programs begin Aug. 17. The early application deadline is June 29, with the application fee waived. Final application deadline is July 27. Connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more and apply.
