College Student Affairs Administration, M.Ed.

Degree:Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Major:College Student Affairs Administration
Certificate:Higher Education Administration
Department:School of Education
Building 85, Room 196
850-474-2893
http://uwf.edu/education
College:School of Education
CIP Code:13.1102
Semester Hours Required For Degree: 36

The College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program is designed for those students interested in a professional career in the various college and university student affairs and student services areas. Program participants will prepare for careers involving organizational management, student development, leadership training, and administration. Guided by the Professional Standards for Masters Level Student Affairs Professional Preparation Programs Council set forth by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), and the Professional Competencies as jointly articulated by the College Student Educators International (ACPA)/National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the curriculum includes selected foundational studies; student development theory; student characteristics and effects of college on students; individual, group, and organizational interventions; organization and administration; and assessment and evaluation. The program also includes substantial supervised internship opportunities.  

The master's degree in College Student Affairs Administration is a 36-hour program designed to be completed in two years. At least six hours of internship experience is included in the curriculum. Internships are available in a wide variety of student affairs and student service areas. Students are encouraged to seek at least one internship experience away from the UWF campus. 

A quality academic program is enhanced by the opportunity for pre-professional work experience. A number of students in the program will have the opportunity for significant and meaningful work responsibilities that will translate directly into powerful résumés. Various student service areas of The University of West Florida offer compensated assistantships, such as the Dean of Students Office, residence life facilities and programs, student union operations and management, student activities and campus programming, Greek affairs, recreation facilities and programs, service, citizenship, and career development.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Submission of letter of intent describing reasons for applying to the program and associated career goals.
  • Submission of three recommendations utilizing the CSAA Recommendation Form from professional/academic references familiar with the applicant's ability to succeed in a graduate program.
  • Submission of résumé.
  • Fit with program.

Students are generally admitted only for the fall semester. 

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for an M.Ed. degree in College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA), a student must do the following:

  • Be admitted to the program.
  • Submit an approved degree plan which includes at least 36 semester hours.
  • Successfully complete all required coursework with a grade of "C" or higher, with an institutional GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Complete degree requirements compliant with the time-to-degree policy.
  • Be recommended for graduation by the School of Education.
  • Successfully complete a comprehensive ePortfolio. Information about the scheduling of the portfolio defense may be obtained from the faculty advisor/program coordinator.

CSAA Course Requirements

EDH 5040The American College Student3
EDH 5070Student Affairs Assessment, Evaluation, and Research3
EDH 6041Advising and Supporting College Students3
EDH 6045Theories of College Student Learning and Development3
EDH 6362Foundations of Leadership and Supervision 3
EDH 6368Equity and Justice in Higher Education3
EDH 6369Capstone Seminar in Student Affairs3
EDH 6405Law and Policy in Higher Education3
EDH 6505Budgeting and Financial Management in Higher Education3
EDH 6634Introduction to College Student Affairs3
EDH 6948Internship in Higher Education (taken for two semesters)6
Total Hours36

Higher Education Administration Certificate (9 sh)

EDH 6362Foundations of Leadership and Supervision 3
EDH 6634Introduction to College Student Affairs3
Choose one:3
Student Affairs Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Theories of College Student Learning and Development
Equity and Justice in Higher Education
Law and Policy in Higher Education
Total Hours9