Handbook

Founded in 1949, the Michigan State University Student Affairs program is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. Our program offers an excellent practical experience with challenging and progressive academic experiences. Our graduates work at colleges and universities around the world and are leaders in the field of student affairs.

The overall objectives of this program derive from the mission statement of the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University, which is “The improvement of leadership and management in organizations that have teaching and learning as their core function.”

The program provides a broad understanding of postsecondary educational systems from social, historical, cross-national, and normative perspectives, as well as an understanding of central issues in student affairs administration connecting theory to practice.There are opportunities to develop and use skills needed in practice through practica and field experiences. We expect graduates to be prepared to work in and to cultivate educational environments receptive to diversity and multiculturalism. The program has been designed in accordance with the CAS Standards. Students in the SAA M.A. program gain experiences and opportunities that allow them:

• To use inquiry skills on representative and crucial problems of student affairs administrative practice;
• To connect theoretical understanding of student development, student affairs administration, and leadership to student affairs practice;
• To demonstrate a flexible capacity to use skill sets (e.g., technology, distance learning, communication, etc.) to deliver programs and services that engage students and foster student learning and development;
• To demonstrate the ability to use appropriate theory (e.g., student development, organizational, learning, leadership, etc.) and data-based decision-making to assist institutions in accomplishing their missions.

Michigan State University requires that all graduate students be trained in the responsible conduct of research as part of their educational experience.

The SAA M.A. program follows Master’s Plan B. More specific instructions for completing RECR are included in the RECR Requirements document (Qualtrics).

The time limit for the completion of the requirements for an M.A. degree at MSU is five (5) calendar years from the date of enrollment.

Policies regarding credit transfer for the SAA Master’s Degree Program can be found in MSU’s Academic Programs Catalog on the webpage of the Office of the Registrar. With the approval of the College and the student’s academic advisor, as many as nine (9) semester credits of graduate course work may be transferred into HALE-affiliated degree programs from postsecondary accredited institutions (including MSU graduate courses and Lifelong Education credits) if they are appropriate to a student’s program.  

HALE-affiliated degree programs do not accept transfer credits for courses that are designated as core required courses. Courses proposed for transfer into a HALE-affiliated degree program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the following criteria, as applicable. 

The course must meet the following two criteria:

1. the course has not been used toward the completion of another degree; and
2. the course must have at least a 3.0 grade or its equivalent.

The course must also meet one of the following criteria:

1. the course currently does not exist at MSU and fulfills the student’s program plan as an elective course; or 
2. the course is equivalent to an elective course currently offered at MSU. 

To request a transfer of credits, a Credit Evaluation form (see forms section) must be completed, signed by the student’s academic advisor, and submitted to the HALE Administrative Assistant along with an official copy of the transcript listing the course and the course syllabus. Unofficial transcripts or those stamped “issued to student” will not be accepted.  If the proposed transfer credits were awarded more than three years before the start of a student’s degree program, additional approval is required; see your advisor.

There is no guarantee that requested transfer credits will be accepted toward HALE-affiliated degrees.  

Student Affairs Administration MA students are assigned a faculty member who serves as their academic advisor.

If, for whatever reason, the student wishes to change their advisor during the course of the program, the student must have a conversation with their current advisor and their potential new advisor for approval.

A student is required to meet annually with their faculty advisor to discuss their progress in the SAA M.A. program. The student completes the SAA MA Annual Review form in advance of this meeting.