Master of Science Program
Program Code: MS-SP
Major Code: HEA
HEGIS 0826

Higher Education Administration Department
Bacon Hall 214C, (716) 878-3789
hea.buffalostate.edu/

Mission: The Higher Education Administration Department (HEA) and the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program at Buffalo State is committed to promoting access and to preparing exceptional scholars and practitioners with knowledge, skills, competencies and an ethic of care needed for sound professional practice in the twenty-first century.

Vision: The Higher Education Administration Department’s (HEA) Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) Program is one of the most diverse programs of its kind in the United States. Concentrated on serving the educational needs of a diverse student body through a flexible program with evolving and updated curricula, the HESAA Program challenges students to become lifelong learners and leaders in the administration of higher education, student affairs, and other professional communities.  As the demographics of higher education change in the 21st century, the program will provide highly prepared leaders representing diverse groups to serve the nation’s institutions of higher learning at the highest levels. Many students will continue their intellectual and personal development through doctoral programs and as scholar-practitioners.  

Supervised Practice:  All HESAA students are required to complete two supervised practice requirements as part of the curriculum.  Credit for these experiences is awarded through the completion of HEA 624: Supervised Practice I and HEA 625: Supervised Practice II.  Each supervised practice should equate to no less than 150 hours of work in the field.

Supervised practice is typically completed through a traditional internship, which would equate to approximately 10 hours of work in the field over a 15-week semester.  However, students who secure a Graduate Assistantship may use that position to fulfill one of the supervised practice requirements.  Students who are employed full-time in higher education may also use that experience to fulfill one of the supervised practice requirements with approval from the department.  For college-wide assistantships, visit https://hea.buffalostate.edu/graduate-assistantships .

Professional Organizations: HESAA graduates gain mentoring, networking, and professional development support through national, regional and local organizations.

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale). Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree but do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be granted provisional acceptance based on the additional requirements.
2. A current resume. Consideration can be given to work-related experience and involvement in the field.
3. Three letters of recommendation, of which at least one must be from a former faculty/instructor who can speak to your academic and classroom performance and one must be from a professional who works in student affairs or the field of higher education. Letters of recommendation should address the following:
   • How long they have known you and in what capacity.
   • Strengths and weaknesses as they relate to your academic preparedness and/or professional skills.
   • Assessment of your ability for professional work within student affairs or higher education.
4. A Statement of Purpose which addresses your understanding of and interest in the HESAA program, identifies qualities and characteristics you will contribute as a member of the program, and addresses your academic preparedness for graduate school work. If your GPA falls below the required 3.0 GPA, please address this in your statement of purpose.  Your statement will be evaluated as a writing sample.
5. An interview with HEA program faculty may be required.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 36 credit hours are needed for degree completion: 27 credit hours of required coursework and 9 hours of electives. After completing 6 to 12 credit hours, students apply for degree candidacy and are subject to continuous review by the faculty to ensure adherence to professional standards. The required comprehensive examination, master's project or master's thesis must be completed prior to graduation.