UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Higher Education and Student Affairs Master's Degree Program

Department of Educational Leadership and Policies
College of Education
University of South Carolina
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Program Statement

The Master's Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) combines a rigorous program of full-time study with in depth practical experience suited to dedicated individuals seeking professional careers in the administration of college student development services and activities. The University of South Carolina's Division of Student Affairs and other offices accord meaningful assistantship positions in which HESA students are given substantial authority while assisting in the management of university services and activities for students. Students have completed assistantships which have provided opportunities to gain experience in various offices, including residence life, student activities, multicultural student services, orientation, parent’s programs, student discipline, University 101, community service, leadership programs, and the Visitor’s Center. Several assistantships are also available at other local colleges. The assistantship, coupled with practicum and internship experiences, ensure a strong experiential background from which to launch a professional career.

Thoughtful reflection on the real life experiences provided by assistantship, practicum, and internship experiences lend a relevance and immediacy to rigorous classroom studies. Program faculty bring their significant scholarly achievements and their experiences as practicing administrators to the classroom. Experience in college administration and active programs of scholarship blend together to bring excitement and depth to classroom dialogue. Often, students become involved with faculty members' research projects and find themselves engaged in important inquiry that has a lasting effect on their futures and the future of the student development profession.

Upon completing the Higher Education and Student Affairs program, graduates accept positions at colleges and universities across the country, and are welcomed into a network of knowledgeable and experienced alumni that stretches from coast to coast and over the 40 year history of the program. The USC alumni network continues to support the professional development and career advancement of all its members throughout their professional lives.

Admissions Process Requirements

Successful completion of the following requirements is necessary for admission to pursue graduate study leading to the M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution.

2. Application to the Graduate School which includes:

1. Completion of the Graduate School application form, available on the web at: www.gradschool.sc.edu

2. Submission of scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit test scores on the TOEFL for admission consideration. Test scores must be from within the past 5 years.

3. Submission of official transcripts from all previous institutions attended

4. Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation.

5. Non-refundable application fee of $40.00

3. Applicants to the HESA program must also submit the following to the Graduate School:

1. Current resume which highlights educational and employment history, higher education or student affairs experience, and contact information

2. Personal statement (2-3 pages, double spaced) which addresses the following areas:

• What experiences have led to your interest in pursuing a career in higher education and student affairs?

• What qualities, characteristics, and skills do you possess that make you a strong candidate for the HESA program?

• What do you hope to learn from the HESA program and how does this relate to your personal and career goals?

The faculty of the Higher Education and Student Affairs program make recommendations for admission to the Graduate School based upon five criteria: academic record, GRE or MAT scores, related work and leadership experience, letters of reference, and the personal statement. The students who entered the Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the Fall of 2008 had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.47, an average GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 1059, and an average analytical writing score of 4.5.

Admissions Deadlines

The Priority Deadline for applications to the Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs program is October 1 for spring and December 1 for fall. The Graduate School recommends that students mail all application materials together (e.g., personal statement, resumé, letters of recommendation, and the application fee). All application materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline. Incomplete files can not be considered. Students wishing to check on the status of their files should contact the College of Education Office of Student Affairs which is located in Room 113 of Wardlaw College. The telephone number is 803-777-6732.

Program of Study for the M.Ed. Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs

The Higher Education and Student Affairs program is specifically designed to be two years of full-time academic study, but the program also accepts students who plan to attend on a part-time basis. Forty-two (42) graduate credit hours are required. The curriculum includes 18 credit hours of required core courses. Students also select from one of two major program areas of concentration (higher education administration or student affairs administration) and must take 9 credit hours of required courses plus 9 additional credit hours in their area of concentration. Students must also complete 6 credit hours of elective courses. No more than 12 credit hours of practicum and internship courses may be used in the degee program. At the completion of the graduate program, students complete a written comprehensive exam.

Required Core Courses (18 credit hours)

EDHE 730	Evolution of Higher Education
EDHE 732	The American College Student
EDHE 737	Legal Aspects of Higher Education
EDHE 837	Higher Education and Student Affairs Practicum I
EDCE 600	Communication Skills in Counseling
EDRM 700	Introduction to Research in Education

Area of Concentration (18 credit hours)

Higher Education Administration:		Student Affairs Administration:
EDHE 736	Financial Aspects of Higher Education	EDHE 731	Student Affairs in Higher Education
EDHE 830	Organization, Administration and Governance of Higher Education	EDHE 833	Contemporary Trends/Issues in Higher Education
EDHE 734	The Community/Technical College	An additional practicum or internship course (EDHE 831, EDHE 834, or EDHE 838)
Plus 9 additional credit hours selected with prior approval of the academic advisor.		Plus 9 additional credit hours selected with prior approval of the academic advisor.

Electives (6 credit hours)

These courses may be chosen from either area of concentration or from courses offered by other departments or colleges with prior approval of the assigned academic advisor. For students electing to complete a thesis, 3 to 6 credit hours of thesis preparation will replace elective courses.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP RECRUITMENT PROGRAM (MARCH 1-3, 2009)
The Graduate Assistant Recruitment Program (GARP) is a collaborative effort among the University's Division of Student Affairs, the Higher Education and Student Affairs program, and the Student Personnel Association. GARP is designed to complement the Higher Education and Student Affairs program with graduate assistantships available from across the Division of Student Affairs, other areas of the university, as well as other local colleges. Please note that more than 90% of students who began the program in the fall of 2008 with a graduate assistantship participated in GARP. Benefits of the graduate assistantship include a stipend, tuition reduction, and professional experience and development. The Graduate Assistant Recruitment Program will be held on March 1-3, 2009. You can access more information at: http://www.sc.edu/career/GARP/.

STUDENT PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION
The Student Personnel Association (SPA) is a student organization founded 35 years ago which promotes interest and involvement in Higher Education and Student Affairs through association with students, faculty, and staff. SPA provides academic, professional, and personal support activities. In addition, SPA offers professional and career development, social and interpersonal interaction, and leadership and recognition programs. You can access more information at: http://web.sa.sc.edu/spa/.

CHI SIGMA ALPHA

Chi Sigma Alpha is an international student affairs academic and professional honor society of graduate students, alumni, faculty members, and student affairs professionals committed to excellence in academics, reseach, and service to the profession. HESA students may apply for membership after completing at least nine credit hours and achieving a grade point average of 3.7 or higher. Chi Sigma Alpha provides academic and professional programming open to all graduate students in the HESA program.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Higher Education and Student Affairs Program
Department of Educational Leadership and Policies
Wardlaw College, Suite 310
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-5240
e-mail: HESA@mailbox.sc.edu

Helpful Phone Numbers and Internet Addresses:

Higher Education and Student Affairs	803-777-5240	http://www.ed.sc.edu/edlp/hesa.asp
College of Education	803-777-6732	http://www.ed.sc.edu
Graduate School	803-777-4243	http://www.gradschool.sc.edu
Bursar's Office	803-777-4233	http://www.bursar.sc.edu
Financial Aid and Scholarships	803-777-8134	http://www.sc.edu/financialaid
Housing	803-777-4283	http://www.housing.sc.edu/
Registrar's Office	803-777-5555	http://registrar.sc.edu
Division of Student Affairs	803-777-4172	http://www.sa.sc.edu
Graduate Assistant Recruitment Program	803-777-7280	http://www.sc.edu/career/garp
National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition	803-777-6029	http://www.sc.edu/fye