GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Program name: Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education

College: Teachers College

Department: The program is co-sponsored by the Department of Educational Studies and the Division of Student Affairs

Degrees and Emphases: Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education

Tuition and Fees: http://www.bsu.edu/sa/saahe

Contact Person:
Roger D. Wessel, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Director
Ball State University
Student Affairs
Muncie, IN 47306 |
Phone: 765-285-3734
Fax: 765-285-2464
e-mail: rwessel@bsu.edu

Web Page (URL) address: http://www.bsu.edu/sa/saahe

Degree first offered: 1965

Typical number of students admitted each year: 25

PROGRAM STATEMENT

Ball State University’s program in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education incorporates an intentional combination of

learning about college students, student affairs’ role in colleges and universities, and contemporary issues in higher education; and
experience by being directly involved in practical, applied student affairs’ roles through assistantships and internships.

This program prepares student affairs educators for employment in academic and student support services in colleges and universities. Students in this program learn from faculty who are

scholars in higher education and student affairs issues, and
experienced student affairs leaders who daily guide the functions of a Student Affairs division.

These dedicated faculty members enrich student’s learning experiences through their teaching, research, and practical experience in student affairs.

PROGRAM MISSION

The purpose of Ball State University’s Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education graduate program is to prepare student affairs educators to work in college and university academic and student support services such as academic advising, academic support, admissions, alumni affairs, financial aid, career centers, disability services, first-year experience, Greek life, housing and residence life, international student programs, judicial affairs, multicultural centers, ombudsperson, orientation, recreation services, registration, religious affairs, service learning, student activities and programs, student life, student voluntary services, student unions, and student health.

Graduates of Ball State University’s Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education will understand:

The developmental process and needs of college students,
Learning and service roles of academic and student services,
Contemporary issues in American higher education,
How to apply theory to practice, and
How to apply research, evaluation, and assessment to practice.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

The distinguishing features of this program,

classroom learning combined with practical experience, and
dedicated scholars combined with experienced student affairs leaders,

provide an effective institutional fit for graduate students seeking an engaging yet caring environment, professional development, and supervision.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: YES
Meets CAS Standards:
Other/Comments:

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Online application process http://www.bsu.edu/sa/saahe
Complete the graduate school application
Send transcript(s). 2.75 GPA required for admission to graduate school. GRE is not required.
Send resume with the contact information for three professional references.
Participate in Interview/Visit Day
Review of applications begins on February 1 and continues until the class is filled

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: 30

Program Curriculum:

The program is planned jointly by the student and his/her advisor. A total of 30 semester hours are required for graduation.

Required Courses (18 hours):

Introduction to Student Affairs Administration (3)
Theories of College Student Development; Higher Education Application (3)
The American College Student (3)
Seminar in Student Affairs Administration (three one-hour seminars)
Principles and Practices of Student Affairs Administration (3)
Practicum in Student Affairs Administration (3)

One from a set of designated courses:

Issues in Higher Education (3)
Administration and Finance in Higher Education (3)
The Community College (3)

Research Requirement (3-6 hours)

To satisfy the research requirement, the student chooses from several 3-hour research courses or completes a research paper (6-hour thesis, 3-hour research paper, or 3-hour creative project)

Electives: 3-6 hours

Is a thesis required? No.

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs (2007-2008):

	Total Number	# of Males	# of Females	# of Whites	# of Persons of Color
Total	40	10	30	22	18
	% of part-time students	% of full-time students	% of students enrolled in the program who also hold some form of financial assistance (graduate assistantship, fellowship, tuition waiver, scholarship)
Total	10	90	90

PROGRAM FACULTY (Faculty members with areas of specialization and percentage of time devoted to the program.)

Dr. Kay Bales, Vice President for Student Affairs; student life; 10%
Dr. Cathy Bickel, Associate Dean of Students and Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life; student affairs administration and housing and residence life; 25%
Dr. Alan Hargrave, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Housing and Residence Life; college students and housing and residence life; 10%
Dr. Thalia Mulvihill, Associate Professor of Higher and Social Foundations of Education; issues in higher education, gender studies; 100%
Dr. Derick Virgil, Director of the Multicultural Center; multicultural education; 10%
Dr. Roger Wessel, Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Director of the Graduate Program; college students, assessment; 100%

Last modified 11-03-08
Information submitted by: Philann Lewis

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