Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, M.Ed.

The M.Ed. program in Higher Education, concentration in Student Affairs Administration (SAAHE) is designed to prepare individuals 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.

Program Distinctions

The curriculum closely follows the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies as well as the CAS Standards for graduate professional preparation.

The Student Experience

• 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. 
• 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 has averaged out over the years to be approximately 90% or more within 6 months of graduation.
• In addition, students select 9 credits of graduate-level supporting courses (or electives). These courses can be from within HED or from other departments. Typically offered supporting courses in HED include Academic Advising and Retention, Black Student Populations, Crisis Management, Life Design Coaching in Student Affairs, Practitioner-Scholars and Research in Student Affairs, 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.

After Graduation

Graduates of the program typically transition into professional jobs such as residence hall director, coordinator of leadership programs, orientation director, coordinator of student activities, career counselor, academic advisor, assistant dean, program coordinator, and assistant director.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Submission of Transcripts from Institutions Attended
• Personal Statement
• Résumé
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (1 from a faculty member and 1 from someone with current/prior experience working in Student Affairs/Higher Education)
• GRE scores are not required
• Application Deadline is January 15 each year for admission into the upcoming Fall semester. This program does not admit students to start in the Spring or Summer semesters.