Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, Non-Thesis, MEd

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Department of Educational Leadership

Graduate Faculty

Mancuso, Susan, EdD.

Program Advisor: Dr. Susan Mancuso, Miller Hall 418B, 360-650-6552, Susan.Mancuso@wwu.edu

Program Information

The Student Affairs Administration program prepares professionals for work in student affairs in higher education. The program emphasizes competence in the areas of student learning, student development theory and practice, leadership and management, advising/counseling, group process, assessment, cultural pluralism, collaboration, and program development. Further, it develops abilities necessary to navigate current problems and issues facing student affairs in higher education.

The program of study and supervised internship meets the guidelines of the Council for Advancement of Standards for Student Services/Development programs (CAS preparation standards). The professional skill development, theoretical concepts, research and assessment activities, and experiential opportunities provided by the program are often applied to a broad array of leadership and/or helping relationship roles in higher education.

A three-quarter, in-depth internship in a student affairs office is an integral component of the program. The research and assessment requirement is an applied practitioner research and assessment project, though students may choose a thesis option.

For more information, see the Student Affairs Administration program website at www.wce.wwu.edu/depts/saa.

Goals

The program prepares professionals for leadership positions in student affairs in higher education.

Application Information

Admit Quarters: Summer (each cohort begins summer quarter).

Deadline: Application deadline is January 15th for priority consideration.

Graduate Assistant Deadline: Deadline to apply for a graduate assistantship is January 15th for priority consideration.

Supporting materials:

A completed application and fee
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
Two sets of official transcripts from each school attended (A 3.0 GPA in the last 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours of study is required)
Three current references
Miller Analogies Test (MAT) preferred or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), General Test; test scores are not required if an applicant holds an advanced degree
A current résumé
A two-page statement which addresses relevant experiences, interests, learning objectives, and career goals
Computer competence is expected

Please submit all application directly to the Graduate School, Old Main 530.

Interview: An interview with the admissions committee will take place in late February or early March for selected applicants.

Program Requirements (55 credits)

❑ Core courses (34)
SAA 501 - Assessment and Research in Student Affairs
SAA 555 - Foundations of Higher Education
SAA 557 - Student Learning and Development Theories
SAA 558 - Interviewing and Interpersonal Effectiveness
SAA 559 - Leadership and Organizational Management
SAA 560 - Student Affairs Practice and the College Student
SAA 561 - Collaboration and Group Dynamics
SAA 562 - Cultural Pluralism and Higher Education
SAA 563 - Teaching, Learning and Programming
SAA 564 - Current Issues and Trends in Higher Education
CCE 556 - The Community College
❑ Research:
SAA 691 - Assessment and Research Seminar (6)
SAA 592 - Internship in Student Affairs Administration (9)
SAA 599 - Graduation Seminar (2)
❑ Comprehensive assessment

Additional Information

Competency in Instructional Technology

Students admitted to programs in the Woodring College of Education are required to possess competence in the use of instructional technology in education prior to completion of their program.

Comprehensive Assessment

Woodring College of Education students in Option II are required to complete a comprehensive assessment. The format, timeline and criteria are defined by specific departments. For procedures, students should see their graduate advisors.

Second Master’s Degree

Enrollment must be for a single MEd, MA or MIT program. Students who have earned an MEd or MIT may apply for admission to another MEd program but all requirements of the second program must be met (with possible allowance for some course work taken in the first program). However, all programs must be completed with the minimum number of required credits.

NOTE: Due to a review and revision process which may affect Woodring College of Education programs and courses, the information contained in the Education section of this catalog is subject to change.