Requirements for the Student Affairs Administration Master’s Program
In consultation with their advisors, students must complete 40 credits. Students must also complete two (2) distinct practicum placements and pass a certifying examination. For more details on each of these requirements, please see the information below. Further details are available in the SAA MA Checklist.
Courses
Required Courses (25 credits)
Course descriptions can be reviewed on the Office of the Registrar’s Course Description website. Additional course information can be found for most courses on the EAD HALE Courses webpage.
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EAD 805 | Administration in Higher Education | 3 |
| EAD 870 | Foundations of Postsecondary Education | 3 |
| EAD 871 | Collegiate Contexts for Teaching & Learning | 3 |
| EAD 873 | College Student Development | 3 |
| EAD 874 | Introduction to Student Affairs | 3 |
| EAD 875 | Issues and Strategies in Student Affairs | 3 |
| EAD 889 | Research and Assessment in Student Affairs | 3 |
| EAD 893* | Professional Development Seminar in Student Affairs (1 credit each semester) | 4 |
Elective Courses (15 credits)
Students must take 2 or 3 EAD courses taught by HALE faculty and approved by their faculty advisor (6 to 9 credits).
Students must take 2 or 3 additional courses that align with their professional interests and are approved by their faculty advisor (6 to 9 credits).
Examples of EAD courses include:
| Course | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EAD 801 | Leadership and Organizational Development | 3 |
| EAD 850 | Issues and Strategies in Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EAD 860 | Concept of a Learning Society | 3 |
| EAD 861 | Adult Learning | 3 |
| EAD 863 | Training and Professional Development | 3 |
| EAD 866 | Teaching in Postsecondary Education | 3 |
| EAD 872 | Legal Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| EAD 876 | Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education | 3 |
| EAD 877 | Program Planning and Evaluation in Postsecondary Contexts | 3 |
| EAD 878 | Education in the Digital Age | 3 |
Notes
With the approval of their faculty advisor, students may take:
- 900-level courses in EAD;
- Courses in other departments within the university; and/or
- Up to 3 credits in upper-division undergraduate courses
*Students may take no more than 10 credits of Pass/No Grade coursework. Four (4) semesters of EAD 893 accounts for four (4) Pass/No Grade credits.
Practica
The practica component of the master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration is designed to give students the opportunity to apply theory to practice and to engage in professional behavior in a work setting. Students gain insight into the nature of postsecondary organizations, explore applications of student learning and development theory, observe different administrative styles, and further enhance their praxis of student affairs and higher education administration. Every student must complete two distinct practica, gaining a broad view of the student affairs profession.
Certifying Examination
The certifying examination is a 72-hour written take-home exam providing an opportunity for students in the Student Affairs Administration Program to articulate their knowledge about information and issues in the field of student affairs and higher education. Students are challenged to integrate information from various sources and apply this information to situations that relate to student affairs.
Students must successfully complete a certifying examination during the semester they intend to graduate. To sit for the exam, students must have:
- Completed the 7 SAA MA required core courses:
- EAD 805, 870, 871, 873, 874, 875, 889
- Completed at least one practicum (including submission of all required paperwork)
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
Additional details are available in the MA Certifying Examination for Student Affairs Administration policies and procedures.