Program Overview

The Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs prepares graduates to assume a wide variety of administrative positions within colleges and universities throughout the world, ranging from entry-level to director-level. The curriculum is grounded in theory and focused on practice to reinforce entry-level skills, support diverse student populations in their development and cultivate skills and competencies necessary to lead and administer programs. Focusing on the “big picture,” students gain an understanding of the complex environment in which they will be working.

Graduates are prepared to work as staff and administrators in campus life, career services, judicial affairs, resident services, alumni, admissions, academic success, academic advising, international student services, institutional advancement, upward bound, student disability services, student multicultural center and undergraduate and graduate studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of psychosocial and cognitive-structural theories of student and adult development that guide the profession and be able to the impact the college environment has on student learning and development.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of and conversant knowledge of the legal issues facing higher education today, including being familiar with legislation that impacts decision making within higher education and understanding the rights and responsibilities of students, staff, faculty and institutions.
• Demonstrate practical experience in two or more functional areas within higher education.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the administrative and financial functions performed on a college or university campus.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the diverse nature of higher education in the United States, and will be able to articulate the challenges and opportunities associated with the provision of a diverse, multicultural educational setting.