Appalachian State University

The graduate program of Student Affairs Administration (SAA) at Appalachian State University sets as its primary mission the development of knowledgeable and skilled professionals for positions of responsibility as practitioners in student affairs or in a related area in the helping professions. An emphasis is placed on mastering the concepts of human development and examining the implications of this knowledge base for the design of educationally appropriate practice.

Students are engaged in active learning which emphasizes academic work and theory that is solidly supplemented by practical work experience within a college and /or university setting. Proceeding from a theoretical construct, classroom instruction integrates experiential learning into a practice which promotes imaginative and creative ways of thinking.

Students benefit from the close educational partnerships between the program faculty and practicing colleagues in the areas of student development and general administration. The applied aspects of the program are aimed at the holistic development of student learners as well as the development of leadership, human relations, and management competencies.

Finally, students are encouraged and assisted in adopting for themselves a set of personal values and a sense of educational purposefulness which will enable them to lead their institutions with intention and in accordance with the building of humane and inclusive communities.