M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education
The M.Ed. program in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) is designed to prepare entry-level professionals to work in student affairs and student services at higher education institutions. The curriculum closely follows the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies as well as the CAS Standards for graduate professional preparation.
Example Careers
Residence hall director, Coordinator of leadership programs, Orientation director, Coordinator of student activities, Career counselor, Academic advisor, Assistant Dean, Program coordinator, Assistant Director
Designed For
Typical applicants have been actively involved as undergraduates in student organizations and leadership or in paraprofessional positions such as resident assistants, orientation leaders, and campus tour guides. They are seeking entry-level professional positions in student affairs in higher education.
Career Opportunities
SAAHE students gain excellent theory-to-practice experience through graduate assistantships at institutions including UNCG, Salem College, Wake Forest University, Guilford College, Winston-Salem State University, and the UNC School of the Arts. In addition, students complete a 150-hour internship in another position, frequently through the ACUHO-I, NODA, NACA, or ACUI summer internship programs or through a self-design internship. The job placement rate for graduates is has averaged out over the years to be approximately 90% or more within 6 months of graduation.
Research Interests
Faculty research interests include psychosocial and identity development of college students, student sense of belonging, decision to pursue a career in student affairs, college and university residence hall environments, LGBTQ+ issues in higher education, LatinX communities, African American men in higher education, and college student mental health.
Program of Study
Total hours: 42
Core courses:
- HED 601: Foundations of College Student Affairs Administration
- HED 602: Student Development Theory
- HED 603: Effects of College on Students
- HED 606: Organization & Administration of Student Affairs in Higher Education
- HED 608: Leadership in Higher Education
- HED 609: Student Development Theory II
- HED 612: Current Issues in Higher Education
- HED 663: Program Planning in Post-secondary Education
- HED 690: Internship & Professionalism in Student Affairs
- CED 610: Helping Relationships
- ERM 604: Methods of Educational Research
Additional Courses
In addition, students select 9 credits of graduate-level supporting courses. These courses can be from within HED or from other departments. Typically offered supporting courses in HED include Academic Advising and Retention, Women in Higher Education, Career Services in Higher Education, and Budgeting and Finance in Student Affairs. Students also frequently draw upon Peace and Conflict Studies, Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations, Women and Gender Studies, African American Studies, African American & African Diaspora Studies, and Counseling & Educational Development for supporting courses.
Minimum Program Requirements
Successful applicants to the program typically have a 3.2 or higher undergraduate GPA, and prior related experiences. SAAHE no longer requires GRE scores as part of its application process; however, if applicants have taken the GREs and wish to submit their scores, they may do so but this will not impact admissions decisions. These experiences frequently include serving as a resident assistant, orientation leader, campus tour guide or ambassador, peer advisor, student government leader, or student organization leader.
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