PROGRAM STATEMENT
Master's Program
The University of Vermont graduate program in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration is among the top programs in the country educating student affairs professionals. The challenging curriculum embraces the latest knowledge about student development, pluralism, campus administration, and professional ethics. Working closely with the five core faculty and campus administrators serving as professional partners, UVM’s HESA students are challenged by a rich learning environment fostering maximum learning and development. This 40 credit hour program leading to a Master of Education degree educates professionals to serve as higher education administrators, student service providers, researchers, programmers, and advisors on college campuses across the United States and Canada.

Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is an applied research program for professionals desiring to serve in leadership positions in schools, colleges, and social service organizations. The program seeks leaders to promote: leadership and change strategies in and across organizations; development of learning organizations in response to social issues; the design, implementation, and supervision of applied research; interpretation and application of current research findings; understanding of broad social issues and policies from the perspectives of justice, equity and diversity; analysis of policy in education and human services; and effective management and collaboration skills.

PROGRAM MISSION
The HESA faculty embrace a pluralistic perspective to their work. We believe that ideas and issues are always open to debate, critical examination, interpretation and analysis. In this challenging academic environment the student is always valued as an individual with experiences and knowledge to contribute. The Higher Education and Student Affairs curriculum, through a rich array of learning opportunities, is carefully designed to promote theory to practice. Curricular choices within the program enable students to address their interests, skills and aspirations while preparing for leadership, policy, and administrative roles in higher education institutions.

The program curriculum reflects the educational policy of philosopher John Dewey, University of Vermont Class of 1879. Central to Dewey’s philosophy are the links uniting the learner with others in the educational environment. These links are emphasized in four areas of the UVM program: between theory and practice; among students, faculty, and alumni/ae; between students and practitioners; and between the University and its environment.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS
Faculty at the University of Vermont represent a variety of experienced teachers, administrators, and researchers, and are committed to the learning and success of their students. Through close professional relationships with both on and off-campus practitioners, the faculty have initiated and maintained opportunities for HESA students to benefit from assistantship and practicum work experiences throughout their graduate program. The small program size allows close mentoring between faculty and HESA students.

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

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master's Application • GPA: No minimum. • Entrance Exams (GRE only for assistantships). • Three letters of recommendation. • Transcripts from prior institutions. • Interview (on campus by invitation). • Work experience (recommended but not required). • Essay or writing sample (personal statement on Graduate College admissions application). • Previous degrees – Bachelors degree. • Deadline – January 1 for admissions and assistantship applications.

Doctorate Application • Application. • Three letter of recommendation. • Transcripts of prior course work (undergraduate and graduate). • Statement of purpose, a current vita. • Sole-authored, scholarly, writing sample (e.g., article, course paper) • GREs (if applying for an assistantship). • Deadline – May 1

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: M.Ed. - 40 Credit hours Ed.D.. - 56 Credit hours

 

Master's Curriculum Higher Education in America The Student Affairs Profession The (Un)Changing Academy Cultural Pluralism Research in Student Affairs College Students in America Higher Education Administration Capstone: Ethics, Values and Meaning in Higher Education Foundation of Education classes Practica Is a thesis required? No.

Doctoral Curriculum The program requires a minimum of 56 semester hours at UVM, beyond the master's level. Course work is divided into 15 hours of core requirements, 12 hours of work in a specific concentration, and 9 hours of elective studies. Course credit can be earned through a combination of scheduled graduate course work, independent studies, small group seminars, clinical studies/internships, and dissertation research designed to meet the individual needs and interests of students. The course work and experiences for each student's program are organized around four major themes which provide the framework of the program: organizational theory, change and leadership, critical perspectives, process of inquiry/applied research, and learning and human development. While the program is designed within the broad rubric of leadership, three specific concentration areas are available to students: a) educational leadership; b) curriculum and instruction; and c) higher education. With the support of an advisor in one of the above concentrations, each student constructs a program of study consisting of course work and experiences related to her/his selected concentration.

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2003-2004):

	Total Number	# of Males	# of Females	# of Whites	# of Persons of Color
Master's	34	11	23	20	14
Doctoral
	% 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)
Master's	.058 (2 stds)	.941 (32 stds)	100
Doctoral

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

Deborah Hunter, Associate Professor and Coordinator, history of higher education, current trends in higher education, 100%.
Kathleen Manning, Associate Professor, rituals and ceremonies, qualitative research, cultural pluralism, higher education organizational theory, 100%
Bridget Turner Kelly, Assistant Professor, multicultural awareness, racial and ethnic identity development, group facilitation, conflict management, college teaching, and college retention, 50%.
Robert Nash, Professor, religion and spirituality, professional ethics, educational foundations, 50%.
Jackie Gribbons, Coordinator of Practicum Internships and Professor Emerita, women in higher education, theory to practice in graduate preparation programs, career development, 33%.

Last modified 06/03/2005
Information submitted by: Diana Dubuque

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