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2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.
Educational Leadership – Higher Education/Student Affairs [M.A.]
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The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership - Higher Education/Student Affairs (HESA) offers a practice-based experience designed to prepare the next generation of practitioners in higher education and student affairs. Recognized for its academic excellence across the region, the program is ideal for those seeking entry-level positions in the field and those aspiring to become student Affairs administrators. HESA offers a flexible course schedule, including several delivery formats (evenings, weekend, week-long, hybrid, online, and distance learning formats).
Learn
The program offers a practice-based experience for students. You will work with faculty who are skilled in connecting theory and practice, exploring leadership, diversity, assessment, legal, professional, and ethical issues in Higher Education/Student Affairs. While enrolled in the program, you will engage in-field experiences in one or more student affairs areas of interest through a supervised internship. The Program is guided by CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education) standards for student affairs, as well as ACPA (American College Personnel Association) standards. The program develops Student Affairs Professionals who:
- Know and understand the leadership and administration of Student Affairs and higher education;
- Know and understand the organization of higher education;
- Know and understand law and ethics as it relates to higher education and leadership;
- Know and understand human relations, cultural diversity, and possess a global perspective;
- Know and understand college student development and student characteristics;
- Know and understand the concepts of applying and conducting research in the field;
- Know and understand professional practice/development/personal growth.
Opportunities
HESA prepares professionals with a passion for working directly with students, fostering student success and development. The following is a list of some of the career opportunities in Student Affairs:
- Admissions
- Academic Advising
- Residence Life (Learning Communities)
- Student Activities
- Advising Student-Athletes
- Greek Life
- Orientation
- First-year Students
- Career Services
- Support Offices for Retention
- Ombudsman
- Historically Under-served Populations (Diversity, LGBT, Veteran, Women’s Centers)
Graduate Assistantships
Many students admitted to the HESA program secure Graduate Assistant positions (which provide tuition remission and stipend). Through these positions across the university, students gain valuable professional experience while completing their degree. The HESA program welcomes applications for full-time and part-time enrollment.
For more information on Graduate Assistantships.
Graduate Assistant Interview Days
Most departments/ functional units on campus seek GA applications in February/March for fall appointments. In March, the University Advising and Career Development Center conduct Graduate Assistant Interview Days (GAID). Prospective students must have applied to the program (but do not need to have been admitted) to participate in interview days.
For more information on GAID.
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Program Admission
Graduate School Application
After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.
The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.
For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.
Admission Requirements
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.
Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:
- Request recommendation forms from two professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the applicant’s professional work quality. Applicants may request recommendation letters in addition to completing the recommendation form. Applicants are encouraged to ask recommenders to submit a recommendation letter if this could enhance their application materials. Recommendation forms and letters must come directly from your reference.
- A résumé that details their professional and educational experiences.
- A personal statement of accomplishments and academic goals portion describing the reasons for requesting admission. This essay must be a minimum of 250 words and will be reviewed as an indicator of writing ability.
Admission Process
The admission process for the master’s degree is as follows:
- Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you are seeking a Graduate Assistantship, it is recommended that you apply before February 1st.
- The Office of Admissions will receive and gather ALL required documents. Completed applications that contain the required GPAs, confidential appraisal forms, and the résumé will be forwarded to the coordinator of advising for the educational leadership program.
- The faculty review committee will review completed applications. Those applicants who have submitted acceptable GPAs, résumé, recommendations, and personal statement will be admitted, assigned an advisor, and invited for an advising interview. An application may be deemed “questionable” due to a combination of low GPA, fair or poor recommendations, poor writing ability, and/or statements inconsistent with the student’s goals as an administrator. The full faculty will review these “questionable” applications, giving special consideration to the life experiences, verbal skills, writing skills, educational background, and GPAs.
- Those persons whose applications are accepted will be notified.
- All decisions by the faculty regarding admissions are final.
Degree Requirements: 38 hours
Students must complete a minimum of 38 credit hours to complete the master’s degree. 27-28 hours of specific basic concentration coursework and 10-11 hours in related course electives are required.
Required Courses: 27-28 hours
Restricted Elective Courses: 10-11 hours
Students will take 10-11 hours of elective courses selected in consultation with their graduate advisor. The following is a list of recommended courses. Students do not need to pick from this list.
Exit Process
Portfolio Requirement
Students will be guided through the portfolio assessment process by their advisor as follows:
- Following admission, students are required to schedule a meeting with their advisor to plan their program of study and to obtain information about the portfolio assessment and exit requirements
- After completing 18 hours of course work, it is recommended that students schedule a meeting with their advisor to discuss the progress of their portfolios.
- A student who believes their portfolio is complete should contact the advisor to schedule the oral and written presentation. This will consist of an oral presentation by the student, followed by a discussion with faculty regarding the student’s learning and growth, along with perceptions of the overall program’s strengths and/or weaknesses.
- Student achievement will be documented in a cumulative portfolio that contains artifacts representative of the educational leadership knowledge base.
An assessment of the portfolio will be made using the following criteria:
Cognitive complexity
Quality of content
Comprehensiveness
Meaningfulness
In addition, the program component stressing effective written and oral communication skills will be assessed by examining the quality of writing presented in the portfolio and the quality of oral communication displayed in the portfolio presentation before the faculty. All of the portfolio components must be rated satisfactory for completion and presented through the use of Watermark.
The portfolio will be evaluated as one of the following:
Pass without revisions
Pass with minor revisions by date indicated
Pass with major revisions by date indicated
No pass
Additional Information
Course Substitutions/Program Changes - The advisor must approve changes in the student’s official program and substitution of courses before registration.
Courses Outside the Program - The Program faculty have prepared a suggested list of courses. Other courses may be used for electives in this area if approved by the student’s advisor.
Internships - Information is available from the director of the intern program or at emich.edu/coe/lc. Internship placements should be arranged at least one semester in advance and approved by the internship director.
For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head.
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