Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education, M.S.
Through a blend of coursework and practical experiences, the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) program educates student affairs professionals who are prepared to address contemporary challenges of student affairs practice. Our curriculum is rooted in a social justice lens that aims to create more just and equitable student affairs practice. At the same time that students learn to be critical scholar-practitioners, they also engage in significant reflection about their own identities and life experiences, resulting in meaningful personal transformation.
In doing this work together, we strive to create inclusive and accessible learning environments in the SAHE community. Together, our students, faculty, and assistantship/practicum supervisors are learning partners who value how our different life experiences and identities, such as our race, sexual orientation, ability, gender, religion, and social class, shape our educational experiences and perspectives on student affairs practice.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students with this M.S. degree will be able to:
- Understand multiple theories and educate readers about their importance.
- Understand multiple roles of inquiry and methods of research and apply them to investigate questions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of personal and professional knowledge and skills related to student affairs practice and apply them to campus phenomena.
- Understand and convey the complexities of integrating theory, practice, and inquiry and demonstrate that integration by addressing campus issues.
- Convey ideas that are based on one’s own beliefs, perspectives, identity, and sense of self in relation to others.
- Produce writing that is organized, conceptualized and reflective of ideas, conveys clear and sound arguments, and few grammatical and APA errors.
Curriculum
Students have the flexibility to create their own concentrations through a variety of electives offered in the SAHE program and Graduate School as a whole. Concentrations are comprised of a minimum of six credit hours of courses connected across a theme. The opportunity to engage in a Graduate Certificate can also influence the selection of a concentration. There are numerous concentrations available, some of the certificates chosen by SAHE students include College Teaching; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and Assessment and Evaluation.
Sample Plan of Study for Full-Time Students
| Fall Term (10 Credit Hours) | Spring Term (10 Credit Hours) |
|---|---|
|
EDL 654 - (3) |
EDL 667 - (3) |
|
EDL 675 - (3) |
EDL706 - (3) |
|
EDL 676 - (3) |
EDL 656 (4) Professional Development and Field Experience (Practicum) |
|
Critical Whiteness in Higher Education (1) OR Realities and Resilience of People of Color in Higher Education (1) |
Summer - Internship (3 credits) or Coursework (3)
| Fall (10 Credit Hours) | Spring (9 Credit Hours) |
|---|---|
|
EDL 683 - (3) |
EDL 661 - (3) |
|
EDL 656 - (4) |
EDL 656 - (3) |
| Elective (3) | Elective (3) |
Information for Part-Time Students
We welcome part-time students in the SAHE program and recognize that class planning often varies for each part-time student. This pathway represents only one possibility for degree completion for a part-time student. Some students choose to take fewer credit hours certain semesters, and some might take a semester off from coursework, which will then change their pathway. We provide individualized advising to help part-time students plan their curriculum.
Sample Plan of Study
Complete the M.S. degree program as a part-time student in three years.
| Fall 5 Credits |
Spring 6 Credits |
Summer 1 - 6 credits |
|---|---|---|
|
EDL 676 - Foundations of Student Affairs in Higher Education (3) EDL 660 - Racialized Realities (2 - counts as Elective credit) |
EDL 667 - Diversity, Equity, & Dialogue in Student Affairs (3) EDL 706 - Educational Leadership & Organizational Development (3) |
Elective (3) and/or Internship (1-6) and/or Independent Study (1-3) |
| Fall 6 Credits |
Spring 7 Credits |
Summer 1 - 6 credits |
|---|---|---|
|
EDL 675 - Student Development Theory I (3) EDL 654 - Foundations of Research (3) |
EDL 656 - Practicum (4) Elective or Advanced |
Elective (3) and/or Internship (1-6) and/or Independent Study (1-3) |
| Fall 7 Credits |
Spring 6 Credits |
|---|---|
|
Elective or Advanced Research Course (3) EDL 656G - Practicum (4) |
Elective (3) EDL 656I - Capstone (3) |
Practicums and Internships
Practicums provide students the opportunity to get additional practical work experience, and there is a required Fall/Spring course attached to the practicum work (EDL 656) to make connections between theory and practice. We recognize the difficulty of doing a practicum while also working full-time. We will work with you to find a flexible way to do a practicum that works with your schedule. For instance, you might use aspects of your full-time job; or add a new task to your current work; or work hours in a different office during a slower time of your year. Some part-time students find Summer a good time to do practicum hours and then use those hours when enrolled in the Fall/Spring practicum course. We are committed to partnering with you to develop practica that fit your schedule and are meaningful.
Summer Internship is an asynchronous elective on-line course where students also get additional practical work experience. The primary focus of this course is your work experience with opportunities for reflection on your professional development and theory-to-practice connections. Again, if you choose to do an internship, we will work with you on flexible options.
Course Timing
Our courses are offered during three different time blocks during the day: 10:05-12:45; 1:15-3:55; and 4:25-7:05. We try to arrange the schedule so that you would have at least one 4:25-7:05 course most semesters to make it easier to attend courses with a full-time job. Some electives outside of SAHE might also be offered 7:15-9:55, which some part-time students prefer.
