California Polytechnic State University

The Master of Science in Higher Education Counseling / Student Affairs (HECSA) program prepares students for careers working as counselors and student affairs professionals in a variety of higher education and non-profit settings. The program meets student affairs competency standards created by the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). Completion of the degree also meets the educational requirements for those seeking positions as counselors in the California community college system.

The HECSA program has no specific undergraduate major requirement but embraces students from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Students attending full-time complete the 72-unit program in two to three years. A major strength of the program is its extensive internship program, with opportunities throughout the program for “real world” work experience. The program enjoys a large and supportive network of alums employed in higher education and non-profit settings throughout California and the United States.