Program at a Glance
- Program
- Master
- College(s)
- College of Community Innovation and Education
- Department(s)
- Ed Ldrshp & Higher Education
The Higher Education/Student Personnel track within 麻豆原创’s Educational Leadership MA is designed for those who want to make a meaningful impact on college students’ lives. If you are pursuing a career in student affairs, higher education administration or student support services, this program helps you build the competencies and real鈥�world experience needed to lead and support student success and holistic development across campus environments.
Throughout the program, you’ll study key areas of higher education and student affairs — including college student development theory, university financial operations, student retention and success strategies, and the ethical and legal issues that shape student affairs work. By integrating the NASPA professional competencies into the curriculum, the program ensures you develop the abilities and professional mindset needed to excel as a student affairs practitioner. Faculty with extensive higher educational leadership experience will guide you in understanding student affairs programs and their implementation. Across the degree, you will develop the competencies universities and colleges seek in student affairs leaders.
Hands鈥�on learning anchors your graduate education experience. Through internships and practicums in student affairs, you’ll have opportunities to explore the practical aspects of areas such as residence life, financial aid, academic advising and student success coaching, student activities, and athletics administration. These applied learning opportunities allow you to build professional skills, work closely with mentors in the field, and become well-equipped to support students throughout their college journey.
Highlights
Application Deadlines
- Fall
- July 1
- Fall
- January 15
Application deadlines subject to change, see the for up-to-date deadlines.
Ready to get started?
Course Overview
Organization and Administration of Higher Education
Major trends and challenges of higher education organization and administration; provides synthesis and integration of historical and contemporary issues of academic governance and leadership from theoretical and practical perspectives.
Theories of College Student Development
Study of the composition of student populations in American colleges and universities, and the theories and factors within the learning environment which support student development.
Retention Strategies in Colleges and Universities
Analyzing educational and political ramifications of college attrition, with a focus on variation in retention practices and strategies.
What makes this program special is the level of support and real-world preparation our students receive. We work closely with them to connect coursework to practice and build strong professional networks.鈥�
Skills You'll Learn
- Build and strengthen your emotional intelligence as a student affairs professional.
- Gain reflective practice to link your professional development with the 10 NASPA competencies.
- Build advocacy and policy development skills to shape effective student affairs leadership.
- Apply budget and resource management strategies to allocate funds responsibly and support student affairs initiatives.
- Practice ethical decision-making and professionalism as part of daily student affairs work.
- Apply crisis leadership principles to support students.
Career Opportunities
- Academic Success Coach
- Athletics Student Support
- Career Services Director
- Experiential Learning Coordinator
- Financial Aid Specialist
- First-Year Experience Coordinator
- International Student Services Specialist
- Recreation and Wellness Coordinator or Director
- Residence Life Coordinator
- Student Activities Coordinator
