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  4. M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs

M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs

It's about all of you: supporting your personal, academic and professional success.

Join us as we prepare the next generation of practitioners and leaders in higher education and student affairs (HESA). You’ll build a strong foundation in the theoretical groundwork, practical application and contextual understanding of higher education and the diverse students it serves. Social justice and inclusion are foundational elements to the program and are woven throughout our curriculum.

At a Glance


36 credit hours


In person


Full or part time


Start in the fall semester

Cohort Approach

You’ll move through the program with the same group of students, called a cohort. You’ll build relationships as you share classes and experiences, providing valuable support and connections.

Pathways for Part-time Students

We offer a three-year, part-time option for working professionals, with courses in late afternoon and evening. We’ll also help create a flexible plan for the required internship that meets your needs.

Real-world Learning

You’ll have opportunities to develop leadership skills and put theory into action with graduate assistantships, internships and other professional development experiences beyond the classroom.

Testimonial

"The opportunity to work as a graduate residence hall director provided me the experience to bring the student development theories to practice. The skills I gained, such as diligent organization, crisis management and leadership, have been applied time and again throughout my post-graduate career. I also would not be in my current professional role today without the opportunity to have interned abroad in Rome, Italy with CISabroad."

  Nicole Stelter, M.S.Ed. Adult and Higher Education, '16
International Program Advisor, University of Central Florida

Career Outlook for M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduates

Average mid-career salary for alumni:

Top cities where alumni live:

Top industries where alumni work:

Source: Steppingblocks, {{steppingBlocksSourceYear}}

How to Apply

You’ll apply through the Graduate School.

  • Priority application deadline: Feb. 1
  • Priority deadline for international applicants with F-1 or J-1 visa: Jan. 1
  • Rolling admissions until May 1

Application Materials

You'll need to submit the following materials:

  • Graduate School application
  • Official transcripts
  • Goals statement
  • Names and contact information for two references
  • Current resume

Use the following questions to guide the writing of your goals statement, which should be one to two pages in length, single-spaced:

  • Why are you interested in pursuing a career in higher education and student affairs? What experience in school, work or life prompted your interest in pursuing a career in higher education and student affairs?
  • How do you hope to contribute to the field of higher education and student affairs?
  • How do you think the graduate program at NIU, in particular, will help you achieve your goals?

Looking at our learning outcomes for the program, what areas are you most excited to learn more about?

Costs and Funding

Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.

Assistantships

Most full-time students in our program hold a graduate assistantship (GA), which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation. Assistantships are offered across campus in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs, Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Division of Academic Affairs.

GA Interview Day

We host an interview day to connect prospective students with employers. A virtual interview day will take place Thursday, March 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Plan to set aside the entire time for interviews, which will be held on Zoom. Interviews last for 30 minutes. You can interview for up to 10 positions.

GA Application Process and Timeline

Date Activity
February 9

Registration for interview day opens.

Prospective students (i.e., admitted students, students who started an application for our program, students who attended an info session and those who connected with our Academic Counselor) receive link to available GA job descriptions and the application.

  • You will be able to indicate in your registration which positions you are interested in. We encourage you to apply for all positions of interest, even if you don't think you're qualified. You may have transferable skills, and many positions can be tailored to your interests.
  • The application requires answers to three questions aimed at providing employers with insights into your career goals and transferable skills.
  • You will be asked to upload a resume with your application. This resume should highlight your education and experiences related to employment and university or community involvement.
February 21 Registration closes
March 2

Participants selected for interviews will receive their interview schedule and Zoom login information via email.
March 4 GA Interview Day
March 5

Participants complete form by 10 a.m. to rank their potential GA positions. Employers will take your preferences into consideration.
Week of March 8

GA offers are extended. Participants will receive one offer. As candidates accept and decline offers, additional offers may be sent out to those still seeking a graduate assistantship over the following weeks.

Support for International GA Applicants

International student admissions decisions are made in late January. In February, we contact admitted international students to provide support for the graduate assistantship application process, including:

  • Application review
  • Resume review
  • Mock interview
  • Virtual one-on-one meeting

Curriculum and Requirements

You’ll build expertise in areas such as leadership, higher education organization/administration, policy analysis, program assessment and college student development theory. Our program emphasizes inclusion, equity and social justice, giving you skills to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body and succeed in the complex environment of today’s college campus. You’ll have opportunities to:

  • Collaborate with a campus partner on an applied assessment project
  • Complete a capstone experience
  • Develop a professional portfolio to showcase your learning and development

View Program Requirements

View Coursework

Learning Outcomes

  • Examine different organizations, contexts and/or leadership in HESA
  • Apply college student development and/or learning theories in HESA practice settings
  • Utilize theory-to-practice models in HESA settings
  • Apply principles of assessment and evaluation to the practice of HESA
  • Engage in professional praxis that promotes inclusion, equity and social justice

Internship

The required internship includes at least 120 hours of professional career experiences, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding and working knowledge of a specific functional area in higher education and student affairs. Since most internships are in the Chicago region, you'll have opportunities to work with culturally diverse students and take advantage of professional development experiences and networking throughout the city and surrounding areas. You can also pursue internships on the national and global levels.

Faculty

Our faculty bring diverse experiences, backgrounds, scholarship and expertise from various areas across higher education and student affairs. They’re committed to facilitating engaging learning experiences in and outside the classroom.

More About Our Faculty

Upcoming Events

We offer a variety of in-person and virtual events to share information and connect with our students.

Preview Day

This full-day, in-person event helps prospective students learn more about NIU and our program. You’ll have opportunities to:

  • Learn about applying for graduate assistantships and financing your education
  • Connect with faculty and current students in the program
  • Hear from dedicated practitioners in the field of student affairs
  • Take an optional campus and/or residence hall tour


Apply for Admission
Explore Campus

Contact Us

Danae Miesbauer
Academic Counselor
Department of Counseling and Higher Education
815-753-1306
dmiesbauer@niu.edu