2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Master of Education in Higher Education - College Student Affairs Leadership Emphasis
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education and Community Innovation section in this catalog.
Website: gvsu.edu/coe/grad
Mission
Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.
Philosophy
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education and Community Innovation prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.
Values
The College of Education and Community Innovation values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.
The CSAL curriculum prepares students to become leaders and administrators in institutions of higher education in a variety of student affairs functional areas such as admissions, student orientation, residence life, student life, academic advising, recreation and wellness, financial aid, multicultural affairs, career services, international affairs, and judicial affairs.
Admission and Minimum Number of Hours in Program
The M.Ed. degree in higher education with an emphasis in college student affairs leadership requires a minimum of 42 credit hours. This is a cohort-based emphasis in which students enroll as full-time students beginning in the fall semester.
Program Location
The program is offered at DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, as well as on Allendale Campus.
Requirements for M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership
Each candidate for the M.Ed. degree with CSAL emphasis must complete the following.
Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) Choose one:
- EDF 671 - Educational Policy and Practice (3 credits)
- EDF 672 - Social/Cultural Foundations of Education (3 credits)
Research and Evaluation (3 credits):
Emphasis Area Requirements (18 credits):
- EDH 647 - Theories of College Student Development (3 credits)
- EDH 651 - Higher Education and Student Affairs Functions (3 credits)
- EDH 652 - The American College Student (3 credits)
- EDH 653 - Administration of Student Affairs Programs (3 credits)
- EDH 654 - Student Affairs Administrators and the Law (3 credits)
- EDH 655 - Intervention Strategies for Student Development (3 credits)
- EDH 685 - Practicum/Graduate Field Experience in Higher Education I (3 credits)
- EDH 686 - CSAL Practicum/Graduate Field Experience II (3 credits)
Elective Courses (6 or 9 credits) Advisor approval required:
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Practicum (6 credits):
- EDH 685 - Practicum/Graduate Field Experience in Higher Education I (3 credits)
- EDH 686 - CSAL Practicum/Graduate Field Experience II (3 credits)
Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester. Capstone (prerequisite: EDF 660), choose one (3 or 6 credits):
Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on a Capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, Capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (EDH 693) or one to six credits (EDH 695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed. Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.