Student Affairs (HISA)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Education
Abstract
The Student Affairs Concentration is committed to the professional preparation of student affairs educators in higher education environments. The concentration is modeled and directed by the core values of student development, multiculturalism/social justice, leadership, scholarship and research, and ethical practices. We maintain a strong relationship with the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park, which has a historic commitment to supporting scholar-practitioners. Master's graduates commonly work in settings such as student activities centers, academic advising offices, career services offices, offices of resident life, orientation, leadership programs, and multicultural centers. Doctoral graduates often become graduate faculty and/or senior administrators, directing such offices as academic advising centers, student activities, offices of student life, multicultural centers, assessment and research, learning support services, and career centers. Our location near Washington DC provides students with an abundance of opportunities to work in various higher education institutions, policy organizations, and associations in the area.
Student Affairs is a an area of concentration within The Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education (HESI) graduate program. In addition to Student Affairs, HESI programs offers concentrations in Higher Education and International Education Policy. Please only include one area of concentration on your application. Before applying students should familiarize themselves with each concentration area and choose the one that most closely fits their own particular needs and aspirations. The College of Education website (http://www.education.umd.edu/) offers descriptions of all the concentrations, faculty profiles and contact information, and is an essential resource for all applicants.
HESI graduate programs are part of a new department, the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education. Previously, Student Affairs was part of the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services and Higher Education and International Education Policy were part of the Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education. HESI is committed to advancing the positive role education can have in society. Our faculty and students study core facets of the education system; this includes the functioning and impact of colleges and universities, student learning and development in higher education, and the enactment and implementation of K-18 and nonformal education policies in an international context. HESI offerings are characterized by a particular emphasis on social justice, diversity, policy, and system change. Our students and faculty are scholars, practitioners, change agents, and innovative leaders active in universities, as well as in national and international organizations and policy-making bodies. The program is a collaborative community that develops theory, conducts research and translates these to practice, and engages students, educators, and professionals in the advancement of education.
Graduate Degrees Offered: M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D
The Master's program is designed to meet the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education criteria for Master's programs with emphasis on the college student population and multicultural issues. The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) is a cooperative effort of over 40 professional associations in Student Affairs Administration who have designed standards of preparation and practice for the profession.
Financial Assistance
The Department has a very limited number of merit-based fellowships and graduate assistantships available to students. Fellowships are awarded to doctoral students in March only for the following fall semester. A large number of assistantships are also available throughout campus, and many students regularly find assistantships in other departments and offices on campus. Assistantships are most often awarded in the spring for the following fall semester, but occasionally an assistantship may become available at another time of year.
Both fellowships and assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. It is to the student's advantage to apply well before the published application deadlines and to submit a complete application package if they intend to be considered for a fellowship, assistantship, or other form of financial aid. It is a requirement that a student be admitted as a condition of eligibility.
International students' applications are not considered complete and are not reviewed by the Department until they have received clearance from the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), which can take additional time. If you need information about ISSS clearance visit the ISSS website at http://www.umd.edu/ies. For more information on financial assistance, see the department web site: http://www.education.umd.edu/chse/admissions/finance.
Contact
Michelle Espino Lira, PhD.
Admission Director
Department of Counseling, Higher Education, & Special Education
3214 Benjamin Building
3942 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2858
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: sagrad-ga@umd.edu
Pearl Lo
Graduate Assistant for Student Affairs
Department of Counseling, Higher Education, & Special Education
3214 Benjamin Building
3942 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2858
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: sagrad-ga@umd.edu
Carol Scott
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Department of Counseling, Higher Education, & Special Education
3214 Benjamin Building
3942 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.8384
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: chse-admissions@umd.edu
Website: http://www.education.umd.edu/CHSE/HESI_overview.html
Courses: EDCP
Relationships: Higher Education (HIED) International Education Policy (HIEP)
General Requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s)
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
Program-Specific Requirements
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- CV/Resume
- Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)
- Writing Sample (optional)
SAC admissions brochure (click here).
Frequently Asked Admissions Related Questions
For any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Student Affairs Concentration Graduate Assistant
Application Deadlines
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline |
|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | |
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | December 1, 2023 |
| International Applicants | |
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants | December 1, 2023 |
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Program Website: http://www.education.umd.edu/CHSE/HESI_overview.html
Application Process: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions
Faculty and students in the Department work closely with area schools, colleges, universities, associations and other education-related organizations. Extensive resources in the Washington, D.C., area, including international agencies and non-governmental organizations, provide exceptional opportunities for internships, field experiences, and research to enhance formal course experiences.
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espino | Michelle | Full Member | BA., St. Mary's University, 1996; MA., Bowling Green State University, 1998; Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2008 | Associate Professor, Student Affairs Assistant Professor |
| Griffin | Kimberly | Full Member | B.A., Stanford University, 1999; M.A., University of Maryland-College Park, 2001; M.A., University of California-Los Angeles, 2005; Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles, 2008 | Professor, Student Affairs Associate Professor |
| Guenzler-Stevens | Marsha A | Associate | B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University, 1978; M.S., Miami University, 1982; Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park, 1993 | Director, Student Affairs |
| Moore | Candace Maddox | Full Member | B.A., University of Georgia, 2002; M.Ed., University of Georgia, 2004; Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2011 | Assistant Clinical Professor Associate Clinical Professor, Student Affairs |
| Park | Julie J | Full Member | B.A., Vanderbilt University, 2004; M.A., University of California-Los Angeles, 2005; Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles, 2009 | Associate Professor, Student Affairs Assistant Professor |
| Rocco | Melissa L | Graduate Teaching | B.S.B.A., Ohio State University, 2005; M.A., Ohio State University, 2011; Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park, 2017 | n/a, Student Affairs |
| Skendall | Kristan Cilente | Graduate Teaching | B.A., College of William & Mary, 2001; M.A., University of Arizona, 2003; Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park, 2012 | n/a, Student Affairs |