This 36-semester-hour program offers theoretical and methodological bases for professional development, while providing comprehensive scholarly, paraprofessional education for persons seeking careers in this field. A required core of learning experiences is supplemented by course work in areas of instruction, administration, and research to prepare both generalists and specialists. The program provides opportunities for individualization to take into account the student’s goals and needs and usually includes a faculty-supervised internship in programming, teaching, counseling, or evaluating. This program is designed to prepare students to assume a variety of administrative positions within postsecondary institutions.
Admission
Applicants will be reviewed holistically on their academic performance and preparedness for the graduate program. Each applicant must submit a goals statement outlining interest in the program, professional aspirations, and relevant experience. A CV/resume is also required. Two letters of recommendation are required from professors or supervisors who can provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications and potential for success in graduate study. Miller Analogies Test scores and GRE scores are not required. The higher education and student affairs admissions committee reserves the right to request an interview with an applicant if additional information is required
Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit
A maximum of 9 student-at-large and transfer semester hours in combination may be applied toward the master’s degree in higher education and student affairs. See “Requirements for Graduate Degrees” for limitation on study-abroad credit. The faculty advisor and the office of the dean of the Graduate School have final authority in determining course credit applicable toward the master’s degree in higher education and student affairs.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Requirements
The M.S. Ed. in higher education and student affairs requires a minimum of 36 semester hours. Students are required to take 24 semester hours of the common core, 3 semester hours of internship, and 9 semester hours of electives. Focus areas will be developed in consultation with and approved by their advisor.
In no case will a master’s degree student be allowed to register for HESA 598, Capstone in Higher Education and Student Affairs, or HESA 699, Master’s Thesis, without having completed 27 semester hours of course work in a master’s level program approved by the higher education and student affairs advisor.
Same as the non-thesis option except that instead of taking HESA 598 for 3 semester hours, students complete 6 semester hours of HESA 699, Master’s Thesis.
Students must take this course for 6 semester hours.
Comprehensive Examination
Students in the non-thesis option fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement by successfully completing a comprehensive writing assignment while enrolled in HESA 598. Students in the thesis option fulfill this requirement in conjunction with the thesis defense.
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