Higher Education in Student Affairs, Master of Education

Program Objectives

This program is designed for people who are interested in pursuing a career in student affairs administration at universities, colleges and community colleges. The program focuses on the development of college students and the skills, competencies, aptitude and motivation necessary to be an effective Student Affairs practitioner. The program places particular emphasis on the importance of working collaboratively within diverse and dynamic organizations in higher education. The program prepares people to work in areas such as residence life, student activities, judicial affairs, admissions, financial aid, academic and personal advisement, international students services and career services. The program will enable graduates to apply student development theories and learning to areas such as policy development, program planning and assessment, and administration in diverse environments.

HESA students can choose from two tracks. Both tracks are the same credit hours, contain the same courses and are taught by the same professors but are offered in different formats. Students from both tracks will be expected to complete all requirements of the program including the two practicums.

The Original Track requires students to attend up to three classes per semester on campus. The majority of the courses are offered in the traditional classroom format with a few hybrid/online courses.

The new Executive Track (which is scheduled to be launched in the Summer of 2013) will include all current core courses offered in an online/hybrid format. The members of the executive cohort will meet on campus once per month (on a specified Saturday) and will be required to complete a week long residency program in their first and second summers.

Additional Admissions Requirements

Recommend one course in measurement and evaluation, or equivalent (e.g., statistics)

Beginning Spring 2013, the Graduate Record Examination, general aptitude section, or Miller Analogies Test will no longer be required for this program.

Applicants for this program must also address the following additional question as part of their statement of purpose prompt: Identify one important issue within the fields of higher education or student affairs and explain why this issue is important.

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