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Student Affairs Administration

Lead and inspire the next generation of college students

Master's

Prepare for a fulfilling career in higher education with a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs Administration (SAA) from UW-La Crosse.

The program offers a flexible online option, making it accessible for full-time working professionals. You’ll gain the skills needed to take on leadership roles and support college students in functional areas like housing and residence life, academic advising, multicultural student support, student activities, and various other positions in student affairs

UWL’s program emphasizes student development; social justice; and equity and leadership. With rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences, small class sizes, and personalized advising from approachable and responsive faculty, you’ll receive the support necessary to excel and make a lasting impact in student affairs. 

A program within Student Affairs Administration

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What does a student affairs administrator do?

Student affairs administrators support student success in holistic ways. A master's degree advances a practioner's ability to manage or direct college student services and programs that foster students’ personal, academic, leadership, and career development.

Career outlook

Learn more about careers
What jobs are there?

UWL's practitioner-based program allows students to immediately apply course concepts and ideas in their current roles. Over time, many have advanced into leadership positions overseeing departments or divisions at universities.

 What salary can I expect to make?

Salary

Salaries for higher education professionals can vary significantly depending on the position, level of responsibility and type of institution. Entry-level roles typically earn salaries in the $45,000-$60,000 range, while leadership positions can exceed $100,000, according to the 2019-2020 Professionals in Higher Education Survey conducted by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). For more detailed information, see the CUPA-HR Survey. 

Why earn your Student Affairs Administration degree at UWL?

Apply learning on the job

While enrolled, students must work in a supervised position. This position could be their current higher education position, a graduate assistantship or internship. 

Experienced faculty

Our scholar-practitioner faculty members average more than 18 years of experience in the field, having worked at over 20 institutions nationwide.

Flexible learning options

Our program offers asynchronous, online courses that allow you to be flexible in completing assignments and engaging in coursework.

Complete your degree in two years

Our program is designed to be completed in just two years. For those who need additional time, we provide flexibility to extend the program.

Unmatched support for students

Each master’s degree student is assigned a dedicated faculty advisor who provides academic guidance, career advice, and personalized support throughout your journey.

Small cohorts, personalized attention

With cohort sizes of 10-14 students, our program fosters a collaborative learning environment, allowing you to build strong professional networks in a close-knit community.

Affordable tuition

Our affordable and flat tuition rate of $597 per credit applies to all students, with 80% of textbooks available as free e-books.  Learn more about cost and financial aid.

Diverse student body

Our students typically range in age from their 20s through their 50s. One third have identified as Black, Indigenous or People of Color. 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. 

Aligned with professional standards

Program curriculum is aligned with the core competencies outlined by ACPA (College Student Educators International) and NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), ensuring students are prepared to meet the highest professional standards in student affairs and higher education. 

Featured courses

  • Student Development Theory
    SAA 702 | 3 credits
    This course provides a foundation for current college student developmental theories which provides insight into the processes of student learning, growth, and development during the college years. Emphasis is placed on the application of developmental theories to diverse college populations and environments, as well as understanding the implications of these models for the policies and practices of higher education. Prerequisite: admission to student affairs administration in higher education MSED program. Offered Fall, Summer.
  • Social Justice and Inclusion
    SAA 708 | 3 credits
    This course provides a critical understanding of diversity issues in American higher education and student affairs. The course will review the diversity of institutions, student experiences, and student identities, with a focus on how that diversity enriches and adds value to the learning environment. The course introduces the concept of social justice work in student affairs, which involves both responding to students in a culturally competent manner as well as shaping institutional environments, policies, and practices to achieve more equitable outcomes. By the end of this course, students should deepen their equity, diversity, and inclusion competencies; and understand their own agency and social responsibility inclusive of others, their community, and the larger global context. Prerequisite: admission to student affairs administration in higher education MSED program. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Law, Policy, and Governance in Student Affairs
    SAA 730 | 3 credits
    This course will include an overview of law, policy, and governance in higher education and student affairs. This includes the knowledge, skills, and dispositions relating to policy development processes used in various contexts, the application of legal constructs, compliance/policy issues, and the understanding of governance structures and their impact on one's professional practice. The application of educational law, legal risks and the responsibilities of student affairs professionals in higher education will be addressed. Prerequisite: admission to student affairs administration in higher education MSED program. Offered Spring, Summer.

I want to learn more!

TORI SVOBODA

was awarded a 2024 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award for her work with MSEd and EdD students in Student Affairs Administration.

Learn more about TORI SVOBODA

Important dates

Rolling application process

The priority consideration deadline is Feb. 1. Applications are accepted until all cohort spots are filled.
Notification of acceptance

Continuous notification.

Latest news

Transformational teaching Adele Lozano recognized with 2025 Regents Diversity Award  Learning and leading Student Affairs Leadership Academy fosters talent at UW campuses Setting up your study space at home Transform your study space with practical tips from student research
Portrait of Lo Klink

Hear from an alum

Lo Klink

I've been incredibly grateful to the professors and my peers in the program. I attribute much of my success to all of them. My professors will tell me I always had it in me, but they were instrumental in my ability to find my passion and voice through research.

Portrait of Kathryn Marten

Hear from an alum

Kathryn Marten

The SAA Master's program allowed me to get into student affairs and made me a better professional, mentor, and scholar. I routinely reference back to the concepts I learned about in the master's degree in my current role as I build opportunities for student experiential learning.