Higher Education Student Affairs Administration

Higher Education Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) is the only multi-disciplinary masters (MS) program offered in the Rochester region. 

The HESAA curriculum integrates psychological theory, interdisciplinary electives, and supervised work experience to provide a solid foundation for entering or advancing a career in student affairs. Students benefit from teaching by Nazareth’s faculty in psychology and other programs as well as from supervision by student affairs professionals and by being on our small, student-focused campus.

Students in the HESAA program:

1. Learn how college students develop as individuals and within a socio-cultural context, including the context of higher education.
2. Develop skills and competency in the use, design, and conduct of research/assessment that can inform and strengthen professional practice in student affairs.
3. Explore and learn about issues, trends, and challenges in higher education as well as become familiar with principles and practices for implementing effective programs.
4. Learn about forces that shape higher education, its changing nature, and the role it plays in a multicultural society.
5. Develop professional skills through coursework, reflective activities, and disciplinary frame works in two 200-hour structured internships, with an option for a 3rd internship.
6. Integrate multiple perspectives and disciplines into their professional practice and problem solving.

The program aligns with the recommendations for practice from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Education (CAS) and the professional competencies of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

PROGRAM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Online Application
2. Completion of the professional statement as described on the application
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
   • Applicant must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term.
     • An applicant who does not meet these grade point average expectations must address them in his/her professional statement; please see the Professional Statement section of the admissions application for further information.
4. Two letters of recommendation, ideally one academic and one professional.
5. Resume
6. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the Program Director.

Application Deadline
April 1  for Fall Term
Rolling admissions, with preference given to applications completed by April 1st.
Cohort model program with Fall semester start date preferred; Spring semester start date possible.
Applications received after April 1st will be processed on a space-available basis.

FULL TIME (2 YEAR) PROGRAM SCHEDULE

	Fall	Spring
YEAR 1	HESAA 503 Student Development in Socio-Cultural Context  Credits: 3 HESAA 505 Student Affairs Organization   Credits: 3 HRD 502 Career Planning and Development   Credits:3*	HESAA 504 Student Development in College  Credits: 3 HR Core Elective: Choose one:  HRM 520 Introduction to HR ;HRM 535 Organizational Development and Change ;HRM 540 Talent Acquisition & Retention ; or MGT 503 Management and Behavior in Organizations   MGT 532 Coaching and Critical Conversations   Credits:3*
YEAR 2	HESAA 501 Introduction to Methods in Student Affairs  Credits: 3 HESAA 595 Internship/Practicum I  Credits: 3 SWK Core Elective* (may be taken in 3rd or 4th semester): Choose one: SWK 506 Human Behavior and Social Environment I ;  SWK 507 Human Behavior and Social Environment II ;SWK 524 Social Work Practice and Cultural Diversity ;SWK 675 Motivational Interviewing   Italics - Spring only	HESAA 590 Integrative Capstone  Credits: 3 HESAA 596 Internship/Practicum II  Credits: 3 Elective: Any course listed in either HR or SWL Core Elective requirements or those on the list of Other Electives Credits: 3
	TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS: 36

 

PART-TIME (3 YEAR) PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Part-time program schedules are also possible, and may be adapted to meet individual circumstances and need and typically requires completion of 2 courses (6 credits total) per semester,