Program Overview

The program offers an opportunity to enroll in coursework full- or part-time and includes two emphasis areas: Adult and Higher Education (AHE) and College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL). Graduates of the higher education program will be equipped with the theoretical basis to serve in student affairs positions such as admissions, orientation, housing, campus recreation, and more.

Applying to the Program

A complete application file will include the following:

• Graduate application to admission at GVSU and $30 nonrefundable application fee; waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU;
• Official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for a graduate assistantship;
• One letter of recommendation;
• A resume; and
• A personal statement of 500-750 words answering the following: a.) Tell us why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education and student affairs; b.) Tell us what you believe to be the most important issue facing higher education and student affairs in the United States and/or globally and why.

Why Study Higher Education at Grand Valley?

• Faculty members are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and students' needs as practitioners.
• Faculty members are committed to creating and maintaining supportive educational environments that challenge students to reach their fullest potential.
  
• The curriculum is flexible and offered in a hybrid format.
  
• The curriculum, instructional practices, professional development, experiential, and co-curricular opportunities are shaped by theory to practice, foundation, which enables graduates to make well-informed decisions in a variety of higher education settings.
• Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Accreditation

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on both the Allendale and Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids campuses.

• Low Residency

Coursework

The higher education program includes foundation courses, emphasis area courses, concentration courses, and elective courses.

The AHE emphasis requires a minimum of 36 credits and offers the opportunity to take coursework part time.

The CSAL emphasis, requiring a minimum of 42 credits overall which includes 6 credits of practicum/internship experience, offers a cohort experience to students and is designed to be completed in two full-time academic years.

Career Options

The program prepares graduates to work with college students and higher education professionals in areas such as:

• Academic advising
• Career services
• Housing and residential life
• Admissions
• Financial aid
• Multicultural affairs

Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is July 15; winter deadline is November 15; spring/summer deadline is March 15. International prospective students must apply by May 1. International students must apply to the full-time (CSAL) track for fall admission.

Admission Requirements

For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.

Admission into the master's of education program has additional requirements; Adult and Higher Education here and CSAL here. 

If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• The Graduate School
• Education, General Programs
• FAQ

For More Information

401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
[email protected]

Laila McCloud, Ph.D.
(616) 331-6293