Morgan State University

The Master of Arts degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration is designed to prepare students for a variety of student affairs positions in postsecondary institutions. This program is unique because it emphasizes social justice and service to diverse student populations at vaious types of institutions. In addition, although the goal of this master's program is to prepare generalist practitioners with a broad understanding of the role of student affairs in postsecondary education, it is recognized that each student's interests and skills will result in a more specific orientation toward select roles and functions which can be further explored through the selection of practicum and internship experiences.

Recognizing the breadth of possible experiences and positions within student affairs, the MA program in Student Affairs Administration is developed around the competencies of ACPA and NASPA, the two primary student affairs professional associations, and conforms to the norms and standards found in the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. There are 13 goals of the MA program:

• To understand and articulate the role of student affairs in the context of postsecondary education
• To reference historical and current documents that state the philosophical foundations of the profession and communicate their relevance to current student affairs practice
• To articulate the inherent values of the profession that are stipulated in historical and current documents in a manner that indicates how these values guide practice
• To understand complexities of diversity and multiculturalism as they affect higher education and student affairs
• To demonstrate the ability to use appropriate theory (e.g., student development, organizational, learning, leadership, etc.) and data-based decision making to assist institutions in accomplishing their missions
• To demonstrate a flexible capacity to use skill sets (e.g., technology, distance learning, communication, etc.) to deliver programs and services that engage students and foster student learning and development
• To analyze, understand, create, and/or modify learning environments.
• To use appropriate theory to understand, support, and advocate for student learning and development
• To assess learning and developmental needs and outcomes
• To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of student characteristics and collegiate environments on student learning and learning opportunities
• To demonstrate knowledge, skills, and awareness of resources necessary to design and evaluate effective educational interventions and/or programs for individuals and groups
• To demonstrate the ability to identify and appropriately refer persons who need additional resources
• To demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to apply a code of ethics or ethical principles sanctioned by a recognized professional organization.

Program of Study (36 credit hours) 

Foundation Courses (12 credits)

RDHE 702 Historical Foundations of Higher Education (3)
RDHE 703 Diversity & Multiculturalism in Higher Education (3)
RDHE 727 Legal Issues in Higher Education (3)
RDHE 731 Governance & Administration of Higher Education (3)

Student Affairs Concentration (21 credits)

RDHE 725 American College Student (3)
RDHE 735 Student Affairs Administration (3)
RDHE 745 Student Development Theory (3)
RDHE 755 Issues in Urban and Special Mission Institutions (3)
RDHE 765 Counseling in Student Affairs (3)
RDHE 699/885 Supervised Practicum (6)

Research Methods (3 credits)

EDSR 604 Intro to Educational Research