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/

The Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program is a professional preparation program for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in college and university settings, supporting students in and out of the classroom in functional areas such as academic advising, residence life, student engagement, financial aid, study abroad, and many more.  The HESAA degree is a multifaceted program that blends counseling and student development knowledge with administrative and assessment skills, to prepare professionals to work with an increasingly diverse college population.  The HESAA program prepares professionals who are socially just, authentic, reflective and collaborative, who will transform systems of higher education for greater student success.  The program prepares scholar practitioners who possess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to advocate for full and equitable participation of all individuals in post-secondary institutions.

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 HESAA 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. Students must complete two supervised practice experiences for credit as part of the curriculum and successfully complete the culminating experience.