About the HESAA M.S.
The Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program is one of the first professional preparation programs in the field. Established in 1970, the program’s mission has always been about access and opportunity, seeking to train higher education professionals to work with an increasingly diverse student population. We continue to uphold our mission through a curriculum that provides a balanced combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing reflective and ethical practitioners who respond with intentionality.
NOTE: This program is not currently accepting new students.
"The HESAA Program engages its students with knowledge and experiences that both challenge and support the individual while working to promote more equitable practices. The program, and all of the people along the way, have changed my life and inspired me to be better every day!"
Culminating Experience
HESAA students are required to develop, regularly maintain, and orally defend their electronic portfolio before the faculty as a demonstration of their learning in and out of the classroom, and their preparation for professional practice. Students' reflection on their learning, development, and growth is based on the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators as outlined by ACPA and NASPA. Students will also prepare a Professional Praxis Paper (a statement of their beliefs, values, and philosophy of practice as informed through the HESAA curriculum).
Supervised Practice
HESAA students are required to participate in two distinct supervised practice experiences (Internship, Graduate Assistantships, or professional experience) that allow them to enhance their professional knowledge, competency, and skills in a supervised setting. The goal is for the student to gain exposure to both the breadth and depth of student affairs work as well as to experience a variety of institutional types (i.e. Community College, Private, Public).