Have a question about applying?

Welcome Prospective Students!

The Fall 2023 application cycle is closed. Applications were due Friday, December 2, 2022. Please check back later this year to apply for Fall 2024 admission. 


Submit your application via the MSU Graduate Education Application Portal.

Review each section of this webpage in its entirety to assist you with your application. If you have questions, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage and the Additional Information section at the bottom of this webpage. For additional questions, please email the SAA MA Ambassador, Maryann Orawczyk (orawczyk@msu.edu).


Register for Upcoming Prospective Student Events

The SAA MA Program hosts several virtual program information events in the fall to give prospective students an opportunity to get to know the program, ask questions, and meet with students, faculty, and student affairs professionals at MSU. Examples of events are included below. Check back in Fall 2023 for updates on virtual program information events.

EVENT TITLEEVENT DESCRIPTIONEVENT DATE & TIME
MSU SAA MA Open HouseRegister for the SAA MA annual Open House! Meet with students, faculty, and student affairs professionals to learn more about the SAA MA Program.
TBA
CSAM Webinar“Strong Roots: 5 Years in Student Affairs” is a one-hour webinar the SAA MA Program is hosting as part of our celebration of Careers in Student Affairs Month (CSAM). Join us for a discussion about the first five years of a career in student affairs, featuring several SAA Class of 2017 alum.
TBA
Application
Drop-In
Session 1
Meet with the SAA MA Program Coordinator, Dr. Patricia Marin, and SAA MA Ambassador, Maryann Orawczyk, to ask questions about the application process and the program. Zoom information to come.
TBA
Student Affairs Programs ExpoJoin MSU’s SAA MA Program and 40+ universities from across the U.S. during this virtual info session to learn about graduate programs in student affairs. Hosted by BGSU’s HESA Program.
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Did Someone S.A.A. Grad School? – Part 1Join current SAA students for “Did Someone S.A.A. Grad School? Part 1: The Grad School Search,” an interactive session to discuss organizing your grad school search, application tips & tricks, and choosing the right program for you!
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International Prospective Student Info SessionRegister for this virtual session to discuss applying to the SAA MA Program as an international student and learn about the international student experience at MSU.
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Did Someone S.A.A. Grad School? – Part 2Join current SAA students for “Did Someone SAA Grad School? Part 2: Imposter Syndrome.” Discuss navigating imposter syndrome in the grad school search process. Learn about building a supportive community.
TBA
Application
Drop-In
Session 2
Meet with the SAA MA Program Coordinator, Dr. Patricia Marin, and SAA MA Ambassador, Maryann Orawczyk, to ask questions about the application process and the program.
TBA
Application
Drop-In
Session 3
Meet with the SAA MA Program Coordinator, Dr. Patricia Marin, and SAA MA Ambassador, Maryann Orawczyk, to ask questions about the application process and the program.
Click here to register for Drop-in Session 3.
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Application Process

To begin your application to the Student Affairs Administration MA Program, it is important that you read the entirety of this webpage. Follow the steps below. A list of the required SAA MA Application Components can be found in the next section of this webpage. Continue to the bottom of the page to review additional information about the application process and admission decisions.

If desired, download either of the following resource guides for screenshots to assist you with the Graduate Application portal:

  1. Go to the Office of Admissions Graduate Application portal.
  2. Create an account to start a new application (or log in to continue an existing application).
  3. Review the SAA MA Application Components to prepare the required documents that must be submitted with your application.
  4. Follow the instructions in the portal, including sending all official college-level transcripts and uploading required documents in PDF format (review the SAA MA Application Components for additional details).
  5. In the “Other Information” section of the Graduate Application portal, select “Student Affairs Administration (Masters)” under the “Major Preference” dropdown menu. Following, select the term to which you are applying. Note: the SAA MA program only accepts applications for Fall terms.
  6. In the “Academic History” section of the Graduate Application portal, be sure to include all institutions of higher education you attended to indicate to the Office of Admissions from where official transcripts will be received. Do not add high school information.
  7. Complete all sections of the application portal except for the “Test Scores,” “Employment,” and “Activities” sections. The SAA MA Program does not require GRE scores. We will not review them for admission decisions. The Employment and Activities sections are fulfilled with the upload of the required resume.
  8. A paid application fee or waiver is required for application review. While the SAA MA Program does not offer any fee waivers, MSU’s Graduate School does have a few options. Check your eligibility for an application fee waiver on the Graduate School website or otherwise pay the required application fee.
  9. After the application is paid and submitted, return to the Graduate Application portal to open your application. In the “Upload Materials” section, upload your additional required documents (i.e., resume and UNOFFICIAL transcript[s]).
  10. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure their application is complete (including the receipt of letters of recommendation).

SAA MA Application Components

To apply for Fall 2023, prospective students should submit all application materials, including the application fee, by Friday, December 2, 2022, 11:59 PM ET to receive priority consideration.

The SAA MA Program requires the following components for applicants to be considered for admission (expand sections to review important details):

Additional Information

Expand the following sections for additional information related to the Graduate Application portal and admission requirements. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more information about the SAA MA Program.

Admissions Decisions

Notification of the SAA MA Program’s admissions decision will be delivered via email from the SAA MA Program Coordinator in January. Admitted applicants will be invited to participate in Spartan Preview Days (SPD).