Department website: https://www.atu.edu/saa
The Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs is a two-year, practitioner-oriented program, philosophically based in college student development and university administration. It is designed to prepare thoughtful, compassionate, first-line student and university service administrators armed with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to begin or enhance a career in the variety of settings in which such services are needed.
The goals of the Higher Education and Student Affairs program include:
- Demonstrating mastery and application of foundational and professional studies in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
- Demonstrating professional behavior in carrying out student services work.
This program may be completed online.
Unconditional Admission
Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Science degree program in Student Affairs Administration if they meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.
- Applicants must submit a current resume/vitae highlighting any co-curricular experiences and/or student affairs experience.
- Applicants must submit names and contact information from two (2) previous/current faculty or supervisors who can attest to the candidate's ability to succeed in an academic setting.
- Applicants must meet a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.70 or a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours.
- Applicants must submit a reflective writing sample, consisting of 3 short-answer reflection items, which include:
- What does student affairs mean to you and how do you see yourself contributing to the field;
- Explain how your undergraduate grade point average reflects or does not reflect your ability to succeed at the graduate level; and
- What can faculty and classmates expect from you in the classroom and/or virtual classroom? Please share the delivery method (online; face-to-face; or both) you plan to use to complete the degree and your work plans for the upcoming term.
- Approval from the Program Director.
In addition, applicants must submit admission materials no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester as a priority admission date. Applicants submitting after the priority deadline will be considered if space is still available in SAA graduate classes.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who fail to meet the minimum requirements for admission have the opportunity for conditional admission if applicant meets the minimum graduate admission standards and upon a successful appeal to the program director. Students admitted under a conditional status must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA on the first twelve (12) graduate hours in the program.
Advising Certificate Admission
Students not currently in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program will need to submit an application to the Graduate College (advising certificate); pay the application fee; submit a resume; and give a short statement about why you want to pursue the advising certificate and how you plan to use it to meet their personal or professional goals.
Students who complete the program will:
- Demonstrate professional behavior in carrying out student services work.
- Develop the ability to obtain employment in the field of student services.
- Perform at the same level online as on campus in terms of academic achievement.
- Demonstrate satisfaction with the Higher Education and Student Affairs program.
- Demonstrate mastery and application of foundational and professional studies.
