Program Availability
The online Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education is open to eligible students in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories). The program also is open to students in Canada (all provinces). The program is closed to students residing in countries other than the U.S. and Canada except for U.S. military and State Department personnel and their family members with APO/FPO addresses.
Why Earn an Online Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State?
Our online Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education has a strength that lies in its integration of traditional-based curriculum with a challenging performance-based curriculum. A critical component of the program is its practicum requirement.
Develop Valuable Professional Skills
The Educational Leadership Department offers the online Master of Science (MS) in Student Affairs and Higher Education (SAHE) to provide professional training for entry positions in the student affairs field at university, college, and two-year post-secondary levels.
Our program includes a focus on areas of performance, including residence halls, student development, management, admissions, financial aid, student activities, student health promotion, career development, and non-traditional student populations. The curriculum includes significant supervised practice coursework and blends class-based, practicum-based, and independent learning experiences.
All courses are offered online. Campus visits are not required. This online program can be completed in 3 years.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
As a graduate student in the Department of Educational Leadership, you will benefit from classes taught by dedicated faculty mentors with diverse expertise and experience. All hold advanced degrees, collaborate with practicing professionals, and engage in a range of scholarly and service activities at the state, regional, national, and international levels.
Recent faculty awards include the University’s Presidential Medal for Exemplary Teaching and Scholarship, the Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research and Creativity Award, and the Bayh College of Education Holmstedt Distinguished Professorship Award.
What You’ll Learn in the Online Student Affairs and Higher Education Program
The SAHE curriculum includes significant supervised practice coursework and blends class-based, practicum-based, and independent learning experiences that prepare you to be a complete professional in the field of student affairs.
Career Possibilities for Student Affairs and Higher Education Graduates
A Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the field of higher education administration and student support. In addition, the master’s program is preparation for doctoral study.
Many are drawn to careers in student affairs for intrinsic rewards, such as the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives and education. In addition, the job outlook is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of postsecondary education administrators to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032.
Our graduates secure professional positions in a variety of student affairs fields, such as residential life, career services, volunteer programs, admissions, and new student transition programs.
Welcome from the Chair
Dr. Mary Howard-Hamilton, Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, and the Dr. Lotus Delta Coffman Distinguished Research Professor at Indiana State University.
Admission Requirements and Instructions
The online Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education is open to eligible students in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories). The program also is open to students in Canada (all provinces). The program is closed to students residing in countries other than the U.S. and Canada except for U.S. military and State Department personnel and their family members with APO/FPO addresses.
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission.
Admission Requirements
Applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree by a regionally accredited institution.
Applicant should have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework. Students with a GPA of 2.75 will have special attention given to their final 60 credit hours.
Applicant should submit the following documents as part of the online application.
- Resume/curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation from persons who can comment on the applicant’s potential and/or fit for the program.
- International applicants must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency.
- Personal statement of professional goals and past experiences emphasizing those life experiences that are relevant to the pursuit of a career in student affairs. The statement shall comprise a typed paper of two to three pages in which the applicant must answer questions that include:
- Why do you want to be a student affairs professional?
- What or who has most influenced your wanting to pursue this career goal?
- What experiences did you have as a college student that contributed to your desire to work in student affairs?
- What qualities do you believe will enable you to be a successful student affairs professional, and what strengths do you believe will help you achieve your academic and professional goals?
The Graduate Record Examination is not required for admission.
The online SAHE Program admits students for fall only. Beginning December 31, the SAHE Program reviews completed applications. Applications completed by December 31 will receive full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the cohort is full. Failure to submit all of the above items in a timely manner can delay an admission decision. Admission offers are made by March.
Application Instructions
The following are application instructions and deadlines for the online Student Affairs and Higher Education MS program.
How to Apply
Complete your online application for program admission at apply.indstate.edu/apply/.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu.
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $45.00 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $65.00 (international students) payable by Visa, MasterCard, or check or money order payable to Indiana State University. Submit payment to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Submit the following as part of the online application process.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons who can comment on your potential and/or fit for the program.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae
- International applicants must submit official scores for the Test of < href="http://www.ets.org/toefl">English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency.
- A personal statement of professional goals and past experiences emphasizing those life experiences that are relevant to the pursuit of a career in student affairs. The statement shall comprise a typed paper of two to three pages in which the applicant must answer questions that include:
- Why do you want to be a student affairs professional?
- What or who has most influenced your wanting to pursue this career goal?
- What experiences did you have as a college student that contributed to your desire to work in student affairs?
- What qualities do you believe will enable you to be a successful student affairs professional, and what strengths do you believe will help you achieve your academic and professional goals?
The online SAHE Program admits students for fall only. Beginning December 31, the SAHE Program reviews completed applications. Applications completed by December 31 will receive full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the cohort is full. Failure to submit all of the above items in a timely manner can delay an admission decision. Admission offers are made by March.
Next Steps
Once admitted, students receive notification from the University as well as their University ID number needed to activate their University Username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important University services, including email and University announcements.
Note: Returning ISU students must apply for re-admission if they have not attended Indiana State University for more than two calendar years.
