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Student Affairs Administration & Leadership

Become a leader in higher education

Doctoral degree

Advance your career and expand your impact in higher education with the Doctorate in Student Affairs Administration & Leadership.

Designed for working professionals in higher education, this fully online program prepares you to step into senior roles in student affairs and higher education administration — from director and dean positions to vice chancellor and beyond.

Whether you're looking to deepen your leadership expertise or broaden your influence across campus, this program provides the tools and flexibility to help you reach your goals without pausing your career.

A program within Student Affairs Administration

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Program highlights

This accredited, practitioner-focused doctoral program is tailored for professionals who already hold a master’s degree and work in higher education. You’ll build a strong foundation in higher education administration, leadership, finance and budgeting, student success, organizational communication, and more.

  • Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • No GRE required
  • Affordable tuition at just $731.50 per credit
  • Finish in as few as three years, with flexible options to extend to up to seven years
  • Experiential learning options, including internship opportunities and international study tours

Visit the application process page for more details and deadlines. 

Career outlook

What jobs are there?

UWL’s practitioner-focused program empowers students to immediately apply course concepts in their current professional roles. As they progress, students deepen their understanding of higher education administration, expand their leadership capabilities, and often advance into roles overseeing departments/ divisions or serving as deans or directors within colleges and universities.

 What salary can I expect to make?

Salaries for higher education professionals can vary significantly depending on the position, level of responsibility and type of institution. Explore professional salaries from the 2019-20 Professionals in Higher Education Survey conducted by The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).

Why choose UWL’s student affairs doctoral program?

100% online and designed for working professionals

Designed with working professionals in mind, the program offers fully asynchronous online courses — allowing you to complete lectures, assignments, and other coursework on your own schedule. Many courses also include optional synchronous components, such as small-group discussions, providing opportunities to connect with peers while maintaining flexibility.

Cohort-based learning with small class sizes

With cohorts of just 12–15 students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll benefit from a personalized, collaborative learning environment.

Faculty who know the field

Our faculty are scholar-practitioners with extensive professional experience in student affairs and online education — averaging more than 18 years and having worked at over 20 institutions nationwide.

Commitment to equity and inclusion

This program centers critical analysis of systemic inequities and prepares you to lead with a socially just and equity-minded approach.

Diverse student body

Our students represent a wide range of ages — from their 30s through their 60s— and come from more than 20 states and three countries. They bring diverse perspectives shaped by differences in geography, identities and professional experience. Participants come from a variety of institution types, including two-year colleges, and four-year public and private universities, enriching the learning environment for everyone.

Vibrant alumni network

Join a network of 1,000 alumni across the country, opening doors to invaluable professional connections in the higher education community. Learn more.

Featured courses

  • Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership in Education
    SAA 810 | 3 credits
    This interdisciplinary course provides a foundation for the development of personal and professional leadership style grounded in the evolution of leadership theory and reflective of the influence of social locations and identities. Through exposure to recognized leaders in education and other fields, students will postulate what leadership principles resonate with their area of work and study. Students will engage in interdisciplinary analyses of leadership theories and philosophies, and will examine the complex ethical and professional responsibilities within professional and community relationships. Prerequisite: admission to Ed.D. Program in Student Affairs Administration and Leadership or the Higher Education Leadership Graduate Certificate. Offered Fall.
  • Higher Education Finance and Budgeting
    SAA 825 | 3 credits
    Solid fiscal management is a critical skill for effective leadership in student affairs units in higher education. This course prepares student affairs administrators for effective fiscal management by examining revenue sources and expenditures, the reasons for rising college prices, the challenges associated with accessibility and affordability, and the roles of states, the federal government, and institutions in financing higher education. The course also explores ways to increase cost effectiveness and institutional and departmental budgeting processes. Prerequisite: admission to Ed.D. Program in Student Affairs Administration and Leadership or the Higher Education Leadership Graduate Certificate. Offered Spring, Summer.
  • Dissertation Planning Workshop
    SAA 930 | 2 credits
    This course serves as an introduction to the dissertation process. The workshop format will allow students to explore possible topics for their dissertations. Students will consider the broad array of dissertation formats and topics available to them. In the context of the workshop, students will develop and articulate a focused dissertation topic and will conduct an initial review of the relevant literature and existing research. Prerequisite: SAA 830 and SAA 845 (both may be taken concurrently). Offered Summer.

Related programs

Graduate certificate Student Affairs Administration: Higher Education Leadership

Conversation with the awardee...

What is the organization? What is the award for / about?

NASPA Black Diaspora Knowledge Community Sankofa Award for Senior Student Affairs Officers. This award is presented to a Senior Student Affairs Officer who has provided support and commitment to the African American Knowledge Community and has provided leadership and guidance to African Americans in higher education. The Senior Student Affairs Officer nominated for this award should demonstrate the meaning of Sankofa, “teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward.”

The nomination was submitted by members of the UIS Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team.

How is your work today informed by what you learned through your doctoral degree?

One of the most valuable lessons I gained from the UWL doctoral program is the importance of embracing the scholar-practitioner model. I learned that while the destination may be shared, there are multiple paths to get there—and effective leadership honors those different approaches. This perspective deeply informs how I lead and supervise others. Additionally, the program reinforced the power of community and collective effort—showing me that together, we can achieve what might otherwise seem impossible.

Any comments you want to share about your experiences in the UWL Student Affairs Administration and Leadership program…[and connection to the award]?

If you’re even considering this program, trust that it’s meant for you. The faculty will equip you, your peers will push you to grow, and you’ll deliver meaningful results—both during and long after the program. The value it adds is truly immeasurable.

Setting up a study space at home Transform your study space with practical tips from student research

Conversation with the awardee...

-What are the organizations?

ACPA—College Student Educators International  formerly known as the American College Personnel Association, is a professional association for individuals working in student affairs and higher education, including faculty, staff, and students. ACPA focuses on promoting high-quality educational programs, research, and leadership development, particularly with a focus on racial justice and decolonization.

National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) is the preeminent voice for chief diversity officers. It leads the national and international conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion in postsecondary education. Ultimately, it investigates, influences, and innovates to transform higher education so inclusive excellence thrives at the core of each institution worldwide.

-What is the award for / about?

The "Higher Education Thought Leader Award," represents the ACPA Chapters and International Divisions. Kareem served as President Elect and President for the Minnesota Chapter (2022 - 2024). A “thought leader” is recognized as a foremost authority in a specific area of higher education, contributing innovative ideas, creating and sharing knowledge, and helping solve complex challenges.

The 2nd award is the "Outstanding Dissertation Award," from NADOHE. The Outstanding Dissertation Award recognizes completed dissertations, either quantitative or qualitative, that have contributed substantially to the literature and to the field of diversity and inclusion in higher education. These dissertations serve as exemplary models of research that not only inform, but also elevate the discourse.

-Any insights from the nominations? (e.g., who nominated you, etc.)

I self-nominated for the ACPA award. However, for the Outstanding Dissertation Award, I was nominated by Dr. Adele Lozano, Dr. Jorg Vianden, and the current President of the Minnesota Chapter of ACPA, Dr. Steven Parker.

-How is your work today informed by what you learned through your doctoral degree?

Through my doctoral studies, I learned the importance of being an effective and innovative leader—someone who can build strategic alliances, foster collaborations, and create partnerships that drive meaningful success. These skills have become central to my work as an administrator, helping to inform my leadership approach, advance institutional goals, and support belonging and success for students and the campus community. Last but not least, working with various group members within my UWL SAAL cohort on a variety of projects, helped to better prepare me for both the positive and negative aspects of leading a team in student affairs work.

Portrait of Andrew Ives, SAAL Ed.D., Dissertation of the Year awardee.

Hear from an alum

Andrew Ives, SAAL Ed.D., Dissertation of the Year awardee.

With the dissertation, I had an incredible amount of support from the Student Affairs Administration and Leadership program, especially my Dissertation Chair Becki Elkins. All the faculty were great, and they had opportunities to read, edit and provide feedback.