Curriculum

The master's degree program in Student Affairs Administration at UW-La Crosse provides students with a thorough foundation in the theories and practices of higher education. Based on the Program Competencies, the On-Campus and Online curriculum have both similarities and differences. The SAA On-Campus program is geared towards students who have little or no professional experience in higher education or who would prefer a traditional on-campus learning experience. It provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to their internship and graduate assistantship experiences. The Online curriculum is geared towards individuals currently working in higher education and provides a learning environment that encourages students to share their experiences about the realities of student affairs issues within universities, community and technical colleges, and other post-secondary institutions. The students' sharing of knowledge and experience as it relates to the course content and the overall program is a definite strength of the SAA Online program.

Below is the On-Campus and Online curriculum that was implemented in the Fall of 2010. You can find the course descriptions and more information regarding program requirements in the Graduate Catalog. Note: the curriculum is subject to change to keep it current and consistent with the standards of the profession. Also, make sure to read the FAQs for more details about the program.

On-Campus Curriculum -- (43 Credits)

Fall 1 – 10 credits
             SAA 700 Professional Practice in Student Affairs – 1 credit
             SAA 702 Student Development Theory
             SAA 704 Leadership in Higher Education
             SAA 705 History of Higher Education

Spring 1 – 13 credits
             SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education
             SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education
             SAA 720 Special Topics (options) - 1 credit *
             SAA 761 Applied Research
             SAA 781 Internship (may be earned via a graduate assistantship)

Fall 2 – 10 credits
              SAA 706 Helping Relationships & Crisis Management – 1 credit
              SAA 730 Legal Aspects of Higher Education
              SAA 780 Applied Project I or SAA 799 Thesis
              SAA 781 Internship

Spring 2 – 10 credits
              SAA 720 Special Topics (options) - 1 credit *
              SAA 745 University Finance & Governance
              SAA 790 Capstone
              SAA 780 Applied Project II or SAA 799 Thesis

* Two SAA 720 courses are required. Two to three options will be offered per semester. (see below for current offerings)

Each course is worth 3 credits unless noted otherwise. The total program is 43 credits.

Online Curriculum -- (43 Credits)

Note: this course sequence may vary. Check the Online Calendar for your cohort schedule of courses.

Summer 1 – 7 credits
             SAA 700 Professional Practice in Student Affairs – 1 credit
             SAA 701 Student Affairs & Technology
             SAA 702 Student Development Theory

Fall 1 – 6 credits
SAA 704 Leadership in Higher Education
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education

Spring 1 – 6 credits
SAA 705 History of Higher Education
SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education

Summer 2 – 7-10 credits
            SAA 706 Helping Relationships & Crisis Management – 1 credit
              SAA 730 Legal Aspects of Higher Education
              SAA 761 Applied Research
              SAA 781 Internship ***

Fall 2 – 7 credits
              SAA 720 Special Topics (provide options) - 1 credit *
              SAA 745 University Finance & Governance
              SAA 780 Applied Research Project I

Spring 2 – 7 credits
              SAA 720 Special Topics (provide options) - 1 credit *
              SAA 780 Applied Research Project II
              SAA 790 Capstone **

* Two SAA 720 courses are required. Two to three options will be offered per semester. (see below for current offerings)

**Requires attendance at a national conference to present Applied Research Projects, meet classmates, and participate in conference activities. This is an SAA Online program requirement.

***Internship requirement: Students are required to complete an internship experience in a student affairs setting for a minimum of 210 hours during a semester period. This course can be taken either semester after completing the first year in the program. Students may request a "waiver" for SAA 781 if they have worked in a student affairs position in a higher education setting for a minimum of one academic year (or equivalent). Students who must complete the Internship may do so anytime after completing the first three semesters of coursework. Students are responsible for securing the internship and should contact the SAA Program Director for more information about this process.

Each Online course is worth 3 credits unless noted otherwise. The total program is 43 credits. Most of the 3 credit Online courses last 7 weeks and the 1-credit courses may run 7 or 14 weeks. There are 3-4 weeks off between each semester. Please refer to the SAA Online Calendar link for course dates and to gain a better understanding of the SAA online schedule.

Online Curriculum Sequence -- For the Fall 2010 Cohort (43 Credits)

Fall 1 – 7 credits
             SAA 700 Professional Practice in Student Affairs – 1 credit
             SAA 702 Student Development Theory
             SAA 704 Leadership in Higher Education

Spring 1 – 6 credits
SAA 705 History of Higher Education
SAA 708 Diversity in Higher Education

Summer 1 – 7 credits
             SAA 701 Student Affairs & Technology (2nd 7 weeks)
             SAA 706 Helping Relationships & Crisis Management – 1 credit offered thru summer
             SAA 710 Administration in Higher Education (1st 7 weeks)

Fall 2 – 10 credits
              SAA 720 Special Topics (options) - 1 credit*
              SAA 730 Legal Issues in Higher Education (2nd 7 weeks)
              SAA 761 Applied Research (1st 7 weeks)
              SAA 781 Internship ***

Spring 2 – 7 credits
              SAA 720 Special Topics (options) - 1 credit*
              SAA 780 Applied Research Project I
              SAA 790 Capstone **

Summer 2 – 6 credits
SAA 745 University Finance & Governance
SAA 780 Applied Research Project II

See special notes above for SAA 720, SAA 790, and SAA 781.

SAA 720 Options for Spring 2012:

Mental Health Trends on Campus with Dr. Bridgette Hensley:
This course will explore the rising prominence of college and university mental health issues and how such issues impact student development and success. Particular attention will be given to general warning signs of student distress, symptoms of specific psychological problems, as well as guidelines for intervention and referral for professional counseling. Within the context of mental health issues, legal and ethical issues in college mental health, as well as common associated campus policies and procedures (i.e. psychological emergencies, withdraw and readmission, mandatory assessment/counseling) will be discussed.

Men’s Issues with Dr. Jorg Vianden:
The Men's Issues in Higher Education course will focus on concepts of male identity development (e.g., masculinity, gender role socialization, gender role conflict), issues of men's behavior on college campuses (e.g., alcohol, sexual assault, conduct issues), men's health and wellness (e.g., health behaviors, body image), and men of color (e.g., intersection of race and gender). A main theme of the course will focus on how student affairs professionals can help men overcome the stereotypical issues and concerns in connection with hypermasculine behaviors. The main assignment of the course will be a combination literature review/developmental intervention for college men to provide an implementable theory to practice strategy to work with men. This course is not intended to be a male-only space. Women are essential to this discourse and to the work with college men.

Career Services with Ms. Brenda Leahy/Dr. Jodie Rindt: January 9^th – February 25^th online:
This course will give an overview of the mission and services offered at various career services offices. It will give you the opportunity to review many current career related tools being used on campuses, learn about trends in the field, become familiar with professional associations, and explore typical types of positions found in career services offices.

Enrollment Management with Dr. Chris Bakkum: February 27^th – April 13^th online:
The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation in the area of enrollment management. The course will focus on strategic enrollment management (SEM) is and how institutions use SEM as well as the application of historical, theoretical, and philosophical concepts related to SEM. The course will identify enrollment management models and examine retention strategies.

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