MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education (HALE) unit of the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University offers an M.A. in either Student Affairs Administration (SAA) or Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education.

The SAA master’s program prepares individuals for a variety of student affairs positions across the spectrum of postsecondary institutions. Emphasizing the theoretical and historical foundations of the field, the SAA program also provides substantial opportunities for students to connect theory to practice through a four-semester Professional Development Seminar, two practicum placements, ongoing reflection, and the opportunity to be involved in professional development activities across the curriculum.

The HALE master's program prepares individuals for entry-level leadership positions in postsecondary education, public agencies, and business settings. The program provides a broad understanding of educational systems from social, historical, cross-national, normative perspectives and an understanding of central issues in postsecondary teaching and learning, and a theoretical understanding of administration and leadership connected to practice.

Student affairs is a field designed to prepare professionals to work in higher education with the skills, knowledge and attitude to promote and enhance the learning and development of college students. Student affairs units provide a variety of services that may include orientation, administration, admissions, registration, financial aid, residence life, recreation activities, student development, career placement, advising, learning support activities, fraternities and sororities, student activities, student programming, leadership development, judicial affairs, multicultural programming, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender student concerns, campus religious life, health education, counseling, and other related services.

PROGRAM MISSION

The primary mission of the HALE programs is to prepare individuals for leadership positions in a variety of postsecondary educational organizations. The doctoral (PhD) program focuses on the processes and environments emerging around the globe that are connecting learners with knowledge in new ways. The master’s programs focus on the knowledge, skills, and theory necessary to begin or continue careers in higher education. All three programs enable students to examine changing perspectives on postsecondary educational organizations, changing notions of postsecondary teaching and learning, and the changing roles of the students, teachers, researchers, and administrators who work and study within these organizations. In addition, the Student Affairs Administration program includes core coursework on student affairs in collegiate settings, college student development theory, and professional development in student affairs.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

The faculty of the HALE program is one of the largest higher education faculty groups in the country. In addition to specialists in college student development and student affairs administration (Drs. Enos, Helman, Renn, Wawrzynski), the HALE faculty have expertise in multicultural education, higher education policy, adult education, teaching and learning, research methods in education, international education, faculty development, and graduate preparation for faculty roles. HALE uses a community of scholars model to bring together master’s and doctoral students with faculty and professionals in an environment that supports intellectual engagement and educational development. The Student Affairs Administration program, the oldest of the three programs housed in the HALE unit, has a long tradition of preparing graduates to lead within higher education institutions and in the field of student affairs administration. The optional concentrations in leadership or multicultural issues provide a means for students to concentrate electives and practicum placements in ways that will enhance the theory to practice emphasis of the SAA program.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• MSU Graduate School application (http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/apply.htm)
• HALE or Student Affairs supplement
  • HALE: http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/ead/HALE/halema/maadmithale.htm
  • SAA: http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/ead/HALE/saama/MASADadmit.htm
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Official transcripts of all previous postsecondary work
• A check or money order for $50 US, permanent residents, or international students (or $45 if applying online). Checks must be drawn on US funds and made out to Michigan State University).
• Deadline – SAA: and April 1 (on a space available basis)
• HALE: January 5

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Curriculum:

(http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/ead/HALE/saama/MASADreq.htm)
• Department Core Courses (6 credit hours):
Administration in Higher Education
Research and Assessment in Student Affairs

•Major Courses (19 credit hours):
Foundations of Postsecondary Education
Collegiate Contexts for Effective Teaching
The College Student Experience
Student Affairs in College Settings I
Student Affairs in College Settings II
Practicum in Student Affairs
Professional Development in Student Affairs(1 credits per semester, 4 credits required)

• Support Courses (6-9 credit hours):
Leadership and Organizational Development
Building a Learning Organization
Concept of the Learning Society
Adult Learning
Training and Professional Development
Adult Career Development
Teaching in Postsecondary Education
Legal Issues in Higher Education
Program Planning and Evaluation
Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education
Independent Study

• Supplemental Courses (6-9 credit hours):

• Certifying Examination:

• Optional Concentrations within SAA MA:
- leadership
- multicultural issues

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2005-2006):

PROGRAM FACULTY (Name, title, typical number of coursed taught annully, interests)

Last modified December 12, 2006

Submitted by: Matthew Wawrzynski

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