Master of Education: Student Affairs in Higher Education
Program Description
The M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education program will help to prepare students for professional responsibilities in academic advising, campus leadership, student services, student life, career services, financial management, and other leadership roles within higher education institutions. This program uniquely combines educational leadership courses and student affairs courses to develop skills that are often needed in student affairs professionals who make a positive impact in higher education. Coursework focuses on leadership development; administrative functions; applying theory to practice; social and cultural competency; organizational theory; assessment; and current principles, approaches, and practices in student affairs. Distance education practicum experiences will provide real-world experience at the culmination of the program.
In addition to integrated coursework, students select an area of concentration from one of the following options: campus leadership, academic advising, and career coaching and services. Student learning outcomes and curriculum are aligned to American College Personnel Association (ACPA®), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA®), and Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) professional competency standards, depending on the concentration selected.
ACPA® is a registered trademark of the American College Personnel Association.
NASPA® is a registered trademark of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
This program has specific admission requirements.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Explain the history, values, and philosophy of student affairs as it connects to current professional practice.
- Apply student development theories relevant to student learning.
- Develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions relating to policy development, law, compliance, and governance structures in higher education.
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and evidence-based strategies when advising students and groups in higher education settings.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through envisioning, planning, and affecting change in higher education settings.
- Develop awareness and skills related to student success, which effect systemic change in higher education settings.
- Use organizational, management, and leadership theories and skills relevant in higher education settings.
- Demonstrate how to analyze current research, design research studies, use statistical methods, and interpret results accurately.
- Analyze data to inform programs and services in higher education settings.
- Use digital tools, resources, and technologies to advance student learning, development, and performance as a student affairs professional.
- Use ethical standards and commitment to personal wellness and growth to develop and maintain integrity in personal and professional life.
Programmatic Admission Requirements
The following documentation is required for admission into M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education program, and must be provided prior to course registration:
- Signed statement of understanding (SOU)
Please visit our APU graduate admission page for more information on institutional admission requirements.
Need help?
If you have questions regarding a program’s admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Team at 877-382-1783 or [email protected].
Degree at a Glance
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Core Requirements
21
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Select one of the following concentrations:
12
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Final Program Requirement
3
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Total Semester Hours
36
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Degree Program Requirements
Core Requirements (21 semester hours)
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Foundations of Higher Education 1
3 |
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Introduction to Student Affairs
3 |
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The U.S. College Student
3 |
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Ethics, Law, and Policies in Higher Education
3 |
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Research Methods in Education
3 |
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Student Development Theory
3 |
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Critical Issues in Higher Education
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 21 |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a Concentration in Academic Advising, Concentration in Campus Leadership, or Concentration in Career Coaching and Services.
Concentration in Academic Advising (12 semester hours)
Focuses on NACADA®’s core competencies and values associated with academic advising in higher education settings. Conceptual, informational, and relationship components of advising are covered and applied to real-world scenarios. Topics include history of advising, relationship building, decision-making, goal setting, examining outcomes, advising approaches, and student learning and assessment.
NACADA® is a registered trademark of NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, Inc.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Develop a personal philosophy of academic advising in alignment with the core values, ethical standards, and core competencies of the profession.
- Apply academic advising theories and evidence-based strategies through experiential activities and Practicum experiences.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
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Introduction to Academic Advising
3 |
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Academic Advising Theory and Practice
3 |
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Student Learning and Assessment
3 |
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Career Counseling and Development
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 12 |
Concentration in Campus Leadership (12 semester hours)
Focuses on theories, models, and effective practices often needed to serve in leadership roles within higher education settings and influence transformational change. Studies include effective administration, management, leadership, and supervision of higher education departments. Coursework topics include organizational leadership, transformational leadership and change, financial management, strategic planning, and evaluation of programs and data-driven decision-making.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective leadership skills in managing and supervising student affairs departments.
- Apply leadership models and theories in experiential activities and Practicum experiences.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
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Leadership in Higher Education
3 |
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Organizations, Culture, and Change
3 |
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Financial Management in Higher Education
3 |
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Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 12 |
Concentration in Career Coaching and Services (12 semester hours)
Focuses on the knowledge needed to help provide effective career coaching and services to students transitioning from educational settings into the world of work. Foundational coaching skills, theories of career development, and use of assessments associated with career coaching are covered.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Apply theory and evidence-based strategies in career coaching/services through experiential activities and Practicum experiences.
- Apply coaching approaches to assist in career development and exploration in higher education.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
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Foundations of Coaching
3 |
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Emotional Intelligence and Coaching Assessments
3 |
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Career Counseling and Development
3 |
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Coaching Groups and Teams
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 12 |
Final Program Requirement (3 semester hours)
Select 1 course from the following: 3 |
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Capstone Seminar for Student Affairs in Higher Education 2
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Practicum 2
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| Total Semester Hours 3 |
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Required as the first course in the program.
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Taken once all other requirements have been met.