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, disability, gender, religion, and social class, shape our educational experiences and perspectives on student affairs practice.

Admission Requirements

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

The SAHE curriculum consists of 36 credit hours. The faculty, comprised of full-time faculty and senior-level Student Affairs practitioners, recently revised the curriculum to include courses that are necessary to meet the complexities of contemporary student affairs practice. The curriculum is rooted in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and addresses topics such as student mental health, the racialized realities of higher education, and current trends in higher education. Courses often found in student affairs programs, such as Student Development Theory and Organizational Theory, are taught using some of the most cutting-edge scholarship. Students also complete a practicum (field experience) and optional internship. Students may also supplement the curriculum by completing optional graduate-level certificates in areas such as College Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Course Requirements

The SAHE curriculum consists of 36 credit hours. Faculty carefully selected the courses to prepare students to meet the complexities of contemporary student affairs practice. The curriculum is rooted in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and addresses topics such as student mental health, the racialized realities of higher education, and current trends in higher education. Courses often found in student affairs programs, such as Student Development Theory and Organizational Theory, are taught using some of the most cutting-edge scholarship. Students also complete a 3-credit hour practicum (Field Experience) and optional internship, as well as a 3-credit hour elective. Students may also supplement the curriculum by completing optional graduate-level certificates in areas such as College Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Sample Plan of Study for Full-Time Students