Michigan State University

About the Student Affairs Administration MA Program

The Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) Student Affairs Administration master’s program at Michigan State University is a 40-credit hour program providing students the knowledge and skills to work with students and to cultivate educational environments promoting diversity and multiculturalism.

An Expansive Viewpoint

Students will gain a broad perspective of higher education systems from social, historical, cross-national, and normative perspectives as well as an understanding of central issues in student affairs administration, while also learning how to connect theory to practice. Our graduates work in a number of functional areas, including residence life, career services, academic advising, student conduct, and more.

The Cohort

This program brings an experientially diverse set of 15–20 students together from across the U.S. and abroad. With this diversity, some of our students are recent college graduates, while others have several years of professional work experience. As a cohort, our students complete seven core courses and support each others’ learning and professional development. Individually, our students pursue elective courses.

About the HALE MA Program

The Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) master’s program at Michigan State University is a 30-credit hour online program that promotes professional development among those working in higher, adult, and lifelong education in a variety of local, national, and international settings, including colleges and universities, public and nonprofit agencies, as well as private industry.

Academic Areas

You will gain knowledge and skills in areas such as higher education policy, curricular development, and budget and finance. Focused on higher, adult, and lifelong education, you will also learn how to serve students in contexts beyond the higher education sector. Key elements of the program include two core courses, eight electives, and a final project connecting theory to practice.

All Online

This program is 100% online and features courses that impart theoretical concepts and practical skills, directly applicable to your current and future work settings.

Committed to You

We are committed to your success as a student. We believe working professionals require a flexible education that develops knowledge, skills, and interests specific to them. Thus, the HALE M.A. program is an individualized experience. With support from your advisor, you will choose electives to deepen your knowledge in various topics that build upon your professional interests and goals.

About the HALE PhD Program

Consistently ranked in the nation’s top-10 higher education programs, the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) doctoral program prepares some of the strongest, most well-equipped leaders in higher education. The innovative HALE curriculum challenges students to critically analyze the current research, develop their instruction and pedagogical approach, and discover ways to advance the field of higher education.

Our Community of Scholars

With one of the largest higher education departments in the country, HALE students encompass a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and research interests. Some students choose to attend the program full-time, while others enroll part-time and continue their professional employment. All students are welcome in HALE, as we believe this diversity adds to the strength of our community. As the field of higher education is broad and far-reaching, future graduates must be prepared to address a multitude of issues. We believe the best preparation for the future is learning from one another today.