The Masters in Higher Education program (36 units) is designed to prepare passionate and dedicated individuals for impactful careers in community college, university, and non-profit settings. This hands-on program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to effectively serve and support the changing needs of students, thereby promoting their persistence and graduation rates in higher education institutions. Our graduates go on to serve in roles that include college counseling, advising, career services, disability services, residential life, and other student support services related to the growth, development and success of college students (traditional and non-traditional).

College Counseling and Advising:

Ideal for those who want to work at community colleges, four-year colleges, and nonprofit organizations. This concentration involves fieldwork focused on counseling and advising techniques, community interventions, and student-centered support services.

You’ll be prepared to work in career opportunities such as:

• Adjunct counselor
• Student success advisor
• Academic success coach
• Academic advisor
• And other student support roles

Student Affairs:

Perfect for those interested in working at four-year universities, nonprofit organizations, or college ministries. This concentration involves fieldwork focused on various student affairs department roles, co-curricular program reviews, and student retention and support.

You’ll be prepared to work in career opportunities such as:

• Resident director
• First year experience
• Student conduct
• Student activities & programs
• Student clubs & organizations
• And other student development roles

1. Develop a deeper understanding of themselves as student affairs professionals within diverse higher education contexts.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and engaging with professional organizations related to student affairs.
3. Foster cultural humility through reflective practice.
4. Apply research-based counseling techniques and student development theory when assisting college students with education planning, career goals, advising or personal development.
5. Develop an understanding of the historical, political, and societal factors that have influenced higher education as an embedded part of American society.
6. Analyze Student Development theories and their application for designing college student programming and assessing the needs of various diverse student populations; transfer and commuter, military and veterans, students with disabilities, DACA, first-generation, international, student athletes, adult and online learners, and other student populations.
7. Understand the roles and responsibilities of college counselors and student affairs professionals in crisis management, emergency preparedness, and trauma-informed practices.
8. Utilize data and research to inform decision-making in planning for mental health awareness, substance abuse education, violence prevention, and health and wellness practices.
9. Demonstrate how to research, analyze and apply ethical, moral and legal standards in student affairs.

Graduates from the MA/MS in Higher Education may go on to serve as student affairs professionals and leaders at community colleges and four year universities across the world.

Recent graduates from our program serve in many of the following roles:

• Admissions Counseling | Enrollment Management
• Financial Aid Counseling
• Academic Advising | Student Success Coaching
• Career Development
• Student Development/Engagement
• Educational Access Support Services
• Institutional Effectiveness
• Service Learning | Civic Engagement
• Residential Life/Services
• Commuter Student Services
• and many other leadership roles!