Student Affairs (M.Ed.) Program

In the Student Affairs program, students experience the challenges and opportunities of a world-class research university while meeting the important need of preparing student affairs professionals for positions in public and private colleges and universities as well as community colleges. The program is designed for students whose primary career interest is in student affairs in institutions of higher education. The Student Affairs program is a one-year cohort-based M.Ed. (scholar-practitioner focused) housed within the Higher Education and Organizational Change (HEOC) graduate division. The program is offered as a collaboration between UCLA Ed&IS and the UCLA Division of Student Affairs.

About

Overview of Program

The Student Affairs program concentrates on theory, practice, and research in Student Affairs in postsecondary education. The Master of Education in Student Affairs is designed to provide early-career professionals with knowledge, skills, and a social justice perspective in the areas of student development theory, foundations of higher education, student affairs administration, research, and assessment. Students attend classes as a cohort on a full-time basis within a supportive and rigorous environment and participate in three quarters of directed internship. Classes are taught by HEOC faculty and Student Affairs professionals, many of whom are renowned scholars and national leaders in the field. Through guest presentations and experiential works, students meet with and learn from outstanding Student Affairs professionals from UCLA and neighboring institutions.

Emphasis on social justice education and transformative student affairs practice: The MSA community and curriculum prioritize the design and facilitation of democratic and empowering educational opportunities that foster understanding and respect for diversity and cultivate the active engagement of others (students, faculty, colleagues) in social change. Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to demonstrate a critical understanding of higher education and the student affairs profession and their role in promoting social justice.
Commitment to cultivating scholar practitioners: Engagement in the intellectually rigorous and practice-oriented MSA curriculum facilitates the development of student affairs scholar-practitioners capable of translating theory and research to practice as well as contributing to the expansion of existing knowledge about the student experience, the college environment, and student outcomes.
Three-quarter paid internship: The MSA internship is a three-quarter supervised professional practice experience that provides students with an opportunity to develop first-hand knowledge of student affairs professional roles and responsibilities, gain significant hands-on experience in program development and/or student affairs administration, and receive valuable feedback on the development and demonstration of essential professional skills. The internship is a paid experiential learning opportunity. Students receive a salary as well as financial support to attend one regional or national professional conference.
One-year degree program that meets national standards for student affairs professional preparation: The MSA program is an intensive four-quarter (11-month) graduate program that begins in early August and concludes mid-June. The MSA curriculum meets the professional preparation program standards established by the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) Professional Preparation Commission.

Learning Outcomes

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Admissions

Graduate students at UCLA Department of Education benefit from—and contribute to— the resources of the country’s number one public graduate school of education.

A distinguished faculty committed to research and teaching and excellent research centers and institutes offer extraordinary opportunities for graduate endeavors. We are preparing the next generation of researchers and professionals to address some of the most pressing challenges in the field. Learn how a professional degree in Student Affairs could be the right fit for you.

The Ed&IS Office of Student Services looks forward to assisting you through the application process. If we can be of service to you in any step of this process, please feel free to contact Kim Matheussens (mattheussens@seis.ucla.edu).

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