STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION
IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Education degree in
Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAA) is a
graduate program that focuses on educating and training
professionals to work in post-secondary institutions. The SAA
program promotes the integration of theory to practice utilizing
a student development emphasis. Students develop a theoretical
background and complement their classroom experience with
practical work experience. The program is designed to facilitate
entry into a variety of student affairs administration positions
and to provide current and relevant information through the use
of full-time practicing student affairs professionals who serve
as faculty in the program.
Some of the many areas in which students may choose to
specialize in their preparations or to seek positions upon
graduation include: residence life/housing,
admissions/registration, financial aid, academic skills,
counseling/testing, placement/career advising, student
development, student life, student activities/programs/centers,
or similar student support services.
The SAA program has two instructional
delivery options: full-time on-campus face-to-face instruction
OR on-line instruction. The on-campus program is primarily
designed to serve students who have not worked professionally in
higher education. The on-line program is primarily designed to
serve students who are currently working full-time in higher
education. Admissions requirements and degree requirements vary
slightly between the two programs as a result of different
student populations served. Admission to both programs is
competitive.
ON-CAMPUS DEGREE OPTION
ADMISSION TO ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM
Admission to graduate study does not constitute admission to
the Student Affairs Administration program. Priority application
deadline is Feb. 1 each year. Students are admitted for the fall
semester only. The application process for the SAA On-Campus
program consists of three parts:
Part 1: Complete the Office of Graduate
Studies Electronic Application.
Part 2: Complete the SAA On-Campus Application by submitting the
follow:
·
The
electronic SAA On-Campus Application form
·
Your resume
·
A writing
sample
·
Three letters of recommendation from
your references
Part 3: Finalists will need to participate in an interview
either on campus or by telephone with the SAA Admissions
Committee.
Note:
Enrollment in SAA courses is restricted to graduate
students in the SAA program, unless given special permission by
the program director.
ON-CAMPUS DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
(38-40 credits)
Credits
SAA 702 Student Development Theory I
3
SAA 704 Interpersonal Leadership
3
SAA 705 History of Higher Education
3
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education
3
SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education
3
SAA 715 Student Development Theory II
3
SAA 720
Special Topics in Student Affairs
Administration*
2
SAA 730 Legal Issues in Student Affairs
3
SAA 740 Organization Theory and Behavior
3
SAA 761 Applied Research in Student Affairs
3
SAA 775 Student Affairs Practicum**
2
SAA 781 Student Affairs Administration Internship
6
SAA 790 Capstone Seminar
3
SAA 799 Research: Master’s Thesis*
4
Total Credits
38-40
*Graduate students in the on-campus SAA
program must choose one of the following options to complete
their course of study: SAA 799, Thesis (4 credits) or
comprehensive examination. Students who select the comprehensive
examination option are required to complete SAA 720 (2 credits).
Enrollment in SAA 720 is optional for students who choose to
complete a thesis.
**SAA 775 is an optional course
Students with prior/current full-time work
experience in a higher education setting for a minimum of one
year (or equivalent) may have one required internship waived
(SAA 781) contingent upon submitting required documentation and
receiving program director’s approval. Students completing
one-year graduate assistantship may also request to have
internship waived (SAA 781).
ON-LINE DEGREE OPTION
ADMISSION TO ON-LINE PROGRAM
The on-line program is primarily designed for individuals
already working in student services positions in higher
education. Preference will be given to those currently working
in higher education or to those who have comparable work
experience. The on-line admission requirements are as follows:
Part I: Complete the Office of Graduate Studies
Electronic Application.
Part II: Complete the SAA Online Application process by
submitting the follow:
·
The electronic SAA Online
Application (available as of 1/2/08)
·
Your resume
·
A writing sample
·
Two letters of recommendation from your
references
·
Two additional references in the SAA
Online Application form (these should be different from the two
who wrote letters of recommendation).
Part III: Finalists may be asked to participate in a phone
interview with the SAA Admissions Committee or
Program Director.
ON-LINE DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
(39 credits)
Credits
SAA 701 Student Affairs and Technology
3
SAA 704 Interpersonal Leadership
3
SAA 702 Student Development Theory
3
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education
3
SAA 705 History of Higher Education
3
SAA 740 Organization Theory and Behavior
3
SAA 730 Legal Issues in Student Affairs
3
SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education
3
SAA 761 Applied Research in Student Affairs
3
SAA 780 Applied Project in Student Affairs
SAA 781 Student Affairs Administration Internship**
3
SAA 790 Capstone Seminar
3
**Students with prior/current experience in
higher education may have SAA 781 waived contingent upon
submitting required documentation and receiving program
director’s approval.