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 or advancement 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: academic skills, admissions, advising, career advising, financial aid, international education, multicultural student services, residence life, student activities/programs/centers, student development, student life, or similar student support services.

The SAA program has two instructional delivery options: full-time on-campus face-to-face instruction OR online instruction. The on-campus program is primarily designed to serve students who have not worked professionally in higher education. The online program is primarily designed to serve students who are currently working full-time in higher education.  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 and have official transcripts sent to UW-L
          admissions office from all institutions previously attended.
Part 2: Complete the SAA On-Campus Application by submitting the following:
          • 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
(43 credits)
Credits
SAA 700 Professional Practice in Student Affairs 1
SAA 702 Student Development Theory 3
SAA 704 Interpersonal Leadership         3
SAA 705 History of Higher Education 3
SAA 706 Helping Skills and Crisis Management 1
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education 3
SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education 3
SAA 720 Special Topics in Student Affairs Administration 2
SAA 730 Legal Issues in Student Affairs 3
SAA 745  University Finance and Governance 3
SAA 761 Applied Research in Student Affairs 3
SAA 780 Applied Project* 6
SAA 781 Student Affairs Administration Internship** 6
SAA 790 Capstone Seminar 3
SAA 799 Research: Master’s Thesis* 6
  Total Credits 43

*Graduate students in the on-campus SAA program must choose one of the following options to complete their course of study: SAA 799, Thesis (6 credits) or SAA 780 Applied Project (6 credits).  

**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.

ON-LINE DEGREE OPTION

ADMISSION TO ON-LINE PROGRAM
The online 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 online admission requirements are as follows:

Part 1: Complete the Office of Graduate Studies Electronic Application
Part 2: Complete the SAA Online Application process by submitting the following:
          • The electronic SAA Online Application  
          • 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 3: Finalists may be asked to participate in a phone interview with the SAA Admissions Committee or Program Director.

ON-LINE DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (43 credits)
Credits
SAA 700 Professional Practice in Student Affairs 1
SAA 701 Student Affairs and Technology 3
SAA 702 Student Development Theory 3
SAA 704 Interpersonal Leadership         3
SAA 705 History of Higher Education 3
SAA 706 Helping Skills and Crisis Management 1
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education 3
SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education 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 780 Applied Project* 6
SAA 781 Student Affairs Administration Internship** 6
SAA 790 Capstone Seminar 3
  Total Credits 43

**Students with prior/current experience in higher education may have SAA 781 waived contingent upon submitting required documentation and receiving program director’s approval.