MEd in College Student Affairs Administration

Working as a college student affairs professional is challenging, rewarding, and always changing. The MEd in College Student Affairs Administration offers theoretically grounded, experientially rich preparation for a career serving students in higher education.

Building on a legacy of more than 40 years as a leading student affairs program, the program offers an exceptional graduate experience based on a cohort model and taught by nationally recognized faculty. The curriculum focuses on student development and learning, and the connection of theory to practice. Learning takes place through traditional academic study and research, and through experiential activities including assistantships, practica, and internships.

Highlights

1. Full-time, 2-year, cohort-based program
2. Practicum and internship with nearly 500 hours of experience
3. Graduate assistantships available
4. Department consistently ranked in top three programs by U.S. News & World Report
5. Six full-time faculty members, all with student affairs experience

Curriculum

As a College Student Affairs Administration student, you will learn skills in human development; interpersonal facilitation; group leadership; equity, diversity, and inclusion; assessment; and administrative principles. These capabilities will help you work more effectively with diverse college students in higher education organizations.

Your coursework makes up about two-thirds of your time in the MEd program. You will also complete a practicum experience at UGA or nearby institution as well as a full-time internship. The internship takes place during the summer at institutions across the country (and sometimes internationally). While you are not required to hold an assistantship as part of your coursework, most of our students have the opportunity to gain additional experience by working in student affairs areas within UGA.

Faculty assess your learning and development based on your academic performance, evaluations by site supervisors, and a comprehensive examination in the second year.

This program is two academic years with a summer internship following your first year. Your coursework includes:

• Foundations of college student affairs administration
• Interpersonal and group facilitation and interventions
• Theories of college student development and environments
• College student affairs interventions
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion in student affairs
• Administration in college student affairs
• Legal issues in student affairs
• Program evaluation and outcomes assessment

Our Faculty

This program has six full-time faculty members, all experienced as practitioners, who devote their time to instruction. In addition, senior administrators in student affairs at the University of Georgia and other nearby institutions take an active role in your courses. Our program enjoys a close relationship with the UGA Division of Student Affairs.

Admissions

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the MEd in College Student Affairs Administration

To apply, please follow the steps below:

1. All materials will be submitted through the Graduate School application process.
2. Include in your graduate school application your statement of purpose and resume.

• You are free to choose the focus of your statement, but be sure to include your reason(s) for pursuing this graduate degree, as well as the values you hold and how you have enacted them. Additionally, what characteristics or perspectives will you contribute to a diverse cohort?

3. Indicate in your graduate school application the email addresses for your references. They will be sent a link to submit their letters of recommendation electronically.
4. Apply for graduate assistantships; the process runs separately from program application/admission and is coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs. More information about graduate assistantships .

For accepted students, a visitation day for the program and interviews for graduate assistantship positions typically take place in mid-February (usually a Sunday/Monday). For 2021, virtual opportunities will be available. Students are invited when they are recommended for admission, usually in December.

Note: Enrollment is limited to about 20 students to ensure a low student/faculty ratio. The application deadline is December 1st for admission the following fall semester (students are admitted for fall semester only). Admissions decisions will begin after initial application review. Some candidates may be asked to interview virtually, as well. An accepted students’ program will be held in February, as well as interviews for graduate assistantships. Virtual options will be available for both.

Also: Please note that when you initiate your application through the Graduate School (submit the online application and fee), an email will be sent to your references with a link to compete and submit an electronic reference. Be sure to apply early enough that your references have time to submit their recommendations prior to the December 1st deadline. If you wait until the deadline to apply, your references will be late and your application will be considered incomplete.

Deadline To Apply

• December 1

Log Into Existing Application

Useful Links

• Course of Study
• College Student Affairs vs. Higher Ed Administration
• Student Handbooks
• Career Outcomes (2015)
• Career Outcomes (2014)
• UGA Division of Student Affairs