CSAL Alum Featured as GVSU MLK Commemoration Week Keynote Speaker
Dr. Dar Mayweather, 2009 alum of the M.Ed. in Higher Education program at GVSU, will serve as one of two keynote speakers for GVSU's 2026 MLK Commemoration Week events.
Dec 8, 2025
International Admission Paused Pending SEVIS Review
Attention International Applicants: International applications have been paused until the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVIS) has a chance to audit the new M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program. Because the program shifted from an M.Ed. to an M.A., SEVIS must audit the new M.A. program to ensure that international students are eligible to receive a visa upon admission to the program. Though the program has been submitted to SEVIS for review, we do not know when or how long it will take for SEVIS to review and approve the program. Consequently, the M.A. in HESAA program is unable to open the application to international applicants until after SEVIS has completed their audit. We apologize for the inconvenience and are hoping for a swift closure to this enrollment disruption!
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program prepares students to become effective practitioner educators who pursue various administrative roles in higher education contexts, facilitate student learning and promote student success, and shape inclusive higher education communities. Graduates of the HESAA program are prepared to work in a variety of areas such as admissions, student orientation, housing, academic advising, financial aid, inclusion and equity, and international affairs.
Important Admission Deadlines:
Fall 2026 Admission (International students): May 1, 2026
Fall 2026 Admission (Domestic students): July 15, 2026
Spring/Summer 2026 Admission (Domestic students only): March 15, 2026
For questions about the program contact the Graduate Program Director: [email protected]
Please note that the best way to express interest in the HESAA program is to apply!
Focus: Int'l Students
Focus: Careers in HESAA
Why Pursue A Masters Degree in Higher Education?
Core Courses
EDH647: College Student Development Theories in Practice (Winter)
EDH649: Professional Seminar in Higher Education and Student Affairs (Fall)
EDH651: Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs (Fall)
EDH652: College Students and Their Environments (Winter)
EDH653: Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (Winter)
EDH655: Advising and Supporting in Student Affairs (Fall)
EDH656: Organization and Administration of Higher Education (Fall)
*EDH685/686: Practicum/Graduate Field Experience in Higher Education* (Spring/Summer/Fall)
EDH693: Master's Culminating Project (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
EDF660: Educational Inquiry and Evaluation (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
In addition to the above core courses, students are required to take three elective offerings, approved by their faculty advisor.
Elective Offerings
EDH648: Learning in Adulthood
EDH650: Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education
EDH654: Student Affairs and the Law
EDH657: The Community College
EDH658: Critical Issues in Higher Education
EDH659: Gender and Sexuality in Higher Education
EDH661: Crisis Management in Higher Education
EDH662: Religion and Spirituality in Higher Education
EDH665: Affect and Emotion in Higher Education and Student Affairs
*Practicum/Graduate Field Experiences
Students in the HESAA program are required to complete two supervised professional experiences in order to meet program requirements. Students primarily satisfy this requirement in one of three different ways:
- Full-time employment in the field. Students who work full-time in higher education / student affairs can work with their advisors to ensure that their full-time work satisfies the program requirement for supervised professional experiences. Students working full-time in the field will not be required to take EDH685 and will enroll in another elective class instead.
- Graduate assistantship appointment (20 hrs/wk). Students working a 20 hour/week graduate assistantship will use their assistantship to satisfy one of the supervised professional experiences. The other supervised experience will take the shape of a summer or fall practicum, enrolling in either EDH685 (summer) or EDH686 (fall).
- Holding neither full-time employment nor a graduate assistantship in the field. Students who neither work full-time in higher education / student affairs, nor holding a graduate assistantship in the field, will be required to enroll in both EDH685 and EDH686 to satisfy the two supervised professional experiences required by the program
Students who take EDH686 in addition to EDH685 will apply their EDH686 credits as elective credit.
News
Former CSAL Faculty and Student Nominated as ACPA Diamond Honorees
Congratulations to Michael George Dixon, Jr. (CSAL Class of 2007) and Dr. Donald "DJ" Mitchell, Jr. (CSAL Faculty, 2012-2017) on their nominations to the ACPA Diamond Honoree Class of 2026!
Nov 13, 2025
CSAL Graduate Advances Equity and Student Success Through Expanded Role at Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)
Jamie Storey, PhD, was recently named Senior Director of Student Success at MCAN, where she serves as MCAN's primary systems-change strategist related to student success.
Oct 31, 2025
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