Online Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs Careers

Become an Inclusive, Forward-Thinking Leader

Butler University’s online Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs prepares leaders to develop innovative, well-being-centered student programs and policies. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and leadership skills required to define and adapt policies, lead offices, and create best practices in colleges, universities, and beyond.

• Study coursework aligned with industry-leading organizations like NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and ACPA—College Student Educators International.
• Complete 150-165 supervised practicum hours to gain professional experience in real-world education contexts.

What You’ll Learn

• Values, Philosophy, & History: HESA graduates articulate and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to connect the context of the history, philosophy, and values of the profession to practice.
• Technology: HESA graduates use digital tools, resources, and technologies to advance student learning, development, and success, and to improve their performance as student affairs professionals.
• Assessment: HESA graduates design, conduct, critique, and use various AER methodologies and the results obtained from them to inform, practice, and shape the political and ethical climate surrounding evidence-based decision-making processes in higher education settings.
• Law: HESA graduates articulate and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions relating to policy development processes used in various contexts, the application of legal constructs, compliance/policy issues, and the understanding of governance structures and their impact on one’s professional practice. Graduates are mindful of the regional, national, and international contexts.
• Student Learning & Development: HESA graduates demonstrate a critical understanding of learning and development theories along with an ability to apply theory to improve and inform student affairs and teaching practice.
• Personal & Ethical Foundations: HESA graduates articulate and implement the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to develop and maintain integrity in their life and work, including an awareness and understanding of their own values and beliefs, especially as related to professional codes of ethics and principles for personal wellness.
• Organizational and Human Resources: HESA graduates demonstrate an understanding of the guidance of human resources, financial, and physical resources. Graduates possess new skills in the selection, supervision, motivation, and formal evaluation of staff; resolution of conflict; management of the politics of organizational discourse.
• Leadership: HESA graduates value positional and non-positional leadership and demonstrate an understanding of the individual role of a leader and the leadership process of students, student affairs colleagues, faculty, and community members working together to envision, plan, and affect change in organizations. HESA graduates foster the development of leadership within and among others.
• SJI: HESA graduates recognize the role of oppression, privilege, and power in limiting equitable access to education; respond collaboratively and with intentionality and urgency to inequitable conditions, processes, systems, and outcomes; and create spaces that raise the social consciousness of community members.
• Advising & Supporting: HESA graduates apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to provide effective advising and support to individuals and groups through active listening, feedback, critique, referral, and guidance.

Skills You’ll Gain

• Aspects of legal and professional compliance
• Working with varied student populations inclusive of nontraditional, military veteran, adult, and students with disabilities
• Program planning for all learners
• Historical elements of note that impact modern responses
• Prominent legal precedence
• Teamwork
• Transitional and other forms of leadership