Higher Education Administration

Ed.M. Student Affairs Administration

Within the Higher Education Master's Program we offer a concentration in Student Affairs Administration. This is of great interest to students who wish to pursue careers in student affairs in any college or university setting.

This 45 credit-hour program is based on guidelines developed by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and emphasizes student affairs administration, student development and practical experience.

The program is collaboratively run by the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy and the Division of Student Affairs.

The program offers:

• Comprehensive Curriculum
• Guaranteed Graduate Assistantship Placement
• Graduate Assistantship Stipend
• In-State Tuition Scholarship
• Graduate Minority Higher Education Administrative Program
• Internship and Practicum Opportunities
• Professional Development
• Small Cohort Program
• Additional Links

For program information, contact:
Dr. William Barba
Chair, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
University at Buffalo
468 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14261
(716) 645-2471

For admissions information, contact:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
366 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Telephone: (716) 645-2110
Fax: (716) 645-7937
email: gse-info@buffalo.edu

Comprehensive Curriculumsee course catalog

The program offers a combination of classroom theory and paraprofessional practical experience. The 45 credit-hour curriculum emphasizes higher education administration, research theories and applications, historical perspectives and ethical guidelines governing administrators. Students gain knowledge of and experience in the diverse nature of institutions, campus environments and student populations.

• Higher Education Core (18 credits)
• ELP 501 Higher Education in the U.S. (3 crs.)
• ELP 502 Historical Bases of Higher Education (3 crs.)
• ELP 505 Organization & Governance (3 crs.)
• ELP 507 Financing Higher Education (3 crs.)
• ELP 509 The American College Student (3 crs.)
• ELP 513 Cultural Diversity in Higher Education (3 crs.)

• Student Personnel Core (15 credits)
• ELP 514 Student Development (3 crs.)
• ELP 516 Student Services Administration (3 crs.)
• ELP 520 Counseling for Student Affairs (3 crs.)
• ELP 522 Practicum in Student Services (3 crs.)
• ELP 523 Internship in Student Services (3 crs.)

• Research Methods Core (3 credits)
• CEP 532 Introduction to Statistical Research (3 crs.)

• Electives (9 credits)
• Recommended Higher Education Elective courses
• ELP 503 Intercollegiate Athletics in Higher Education
• ELP 506 Philosophy in Higher Education
• ELP 508 Community/Junior College
• ELP 511 Comparative Higher Education
• ELP 512 Readings in Higher Education
• ELP 514 Student Development Theory
• ELP 515 New Futures for Higher Education: Transformative Literature
• ELP 516 Ethical Issues in Higher Education
• ELP 518 Curriculum Development in Post-Secondary Education
• ELP 520 Counseling for Student Affairs
• ELP 525 International Comparisons in Higher Education Finance
• ELP 528 Law and Higher Education
• ELP 532 Academic Collective Bargaining
• ELP 533 College Impact on Students
• ELP 534 Critical Issues in Higher Education
• ELP 535 Institutional Advancement
• CEP 688 Vocational Counseling
• And/Or a course outside the Department with advisor's approval (3 crs.)

Additional Degree Requirements

Each student must complete a written comprehensive exam during his/her final semester. This exam will evaluate students on their ability to integrate the academic theory-based coursework with their extensive practical experience.

Additional Information

Guaranteed Graduate Assistantship Placement

To complement their academic work, accepted students are guaranteed a paid graduate assistantship within the Divison of Student Affairs and are also able to pursue appropriate graduate assistantships and practicum within other areas of the University. Assistantships provide students with work experience closely related to their academic and professional interests. Graduate assistants work 20 hours per week in various student service offices during the academic year. Hours are established by each supervising unit, with consideration given to class schedules and other academic commitments. Students in this program acquire a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised professional practice. Opportunities are available in several areas, including:

• Admissions
• Academic Advising
• Career Services
• Community Service and Service Learning
• Counseling Services
• Disability Services
• Greek Life
• Judicial Affairs and Students' Advocacy
• Leadership Development
• Multicultural Affairs
• New Student Programs & Orientation
• Residence Halls & Apartments
• Student Activities and Programming
• Student Governments and Organizations
• Student Health & Wellness Services
• Student Relations/Athletics
• Student Unions

Graduate Assistantship Stipend

Graduate assistants in this program are currently paid a beginning stipend of approximately $7,000 for a ten-month position. Payment is bi-weekly over a 20-week period with an approximate (gross) amount of $350.00 per pay period.

In-State Tuition Scholarship

New York State resident graduate assistants are given a tuition scholarship each academic semester at the in-state tuition rate. Out-of-state students are required to pay the out-of-state tuition difference until they have established New York State residency. Students are required to pay all fees.

Graduate Minority Higher Education Administrative Program

The Graduate Minority Higher Education Administrative Program is an additional program administered through UB's Division of Student Affairs, the Educational Leadership and Policy Department of the Graduate School of Education and the School of Management. The purpose of this program is to provide academically outstanding graduate students of color (US Citizens) the unique opportunity to earn an advanced degree while concurrently gaining valuable work experience in the field of higher education administration.

This program differs from traditional assistantship/internship programs in that participants are treated and compensated as full-time professional staff for the duration of their assignment. Selected participants are compensated as full-time entry-level university employees with benefits and a tuition scholarship. Participants are assigned to a university administrative office in accordance with expressed professional interests and the needs of the university. Applicants for the Graduate Minority Higher Education Administrative Program must first be admissible to the Student Affairs Administration master's program and cannot have previously attained a graduate degree. Acceptance will be made based on such variables as expressed commitment to the higher education administration as a career choice, undergraduate achievement history, letters of recommendation and participation in a group interview session.

To request information about the GMHEAP program, please contact:
Ms. Vicki T. Sapp, M.S.
Coordinator for Student Multicultural Affairs
Student Life
University at Buffalo
Suite 150 Student Union
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 645-2055
Fax: (716) 645-2371
email: vtsapp@buffalo.edu

Internship and Practicum Opportunities

As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete two practical experiences in addition to the assistantship. These experiences are designed to meet the student's educational and career objectives and include one ten-hour per week practicum during the spring of the first year and one ten-hour per week internship during the spring of the second year. One of these experiences should take place at another area institution. The Buffalo-Niagara region is home to 30 colleges and universities, providing opportunities for students to gain experience at a wide range of institutional types and settings.

Professional Development

Students are introduced to related professional organizations and issues through speakers, journals and national, regional and local conferences. Students receive professional development support and career consultation services as part of the program.

Students are encouraged to join at least one professional organization, such as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), or the College Student Personal Association (CSPA). Students may choose to join professional organizations related to a specific area of student affairs, such as the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA), the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), the Association of College Unions-International (ACUI), etc. Student may receive additional support to attend professional conferences, to subscribe to professional journals and publications, or pursue their professional development in other ways.

Small Cohort Program

Enrolled students progress through the program as a cohort offering support, teamwork, fellowship and life-long relationships. The faculty-student ratio in the student affairs courses is 1:8, allowing for ideal advisement, supervision and high quality instruction. Students are also able to establish relationships and share knowledge with other Higher Education master's and doctoral students, many of whom are currently employed as student affairs professionals and administrators at area institutions.

Program Faculty in the Student Affairs Administration Program

Dr. William Barba
Chair, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Coordinator, Higher Education Graduate Programs
468 Baldy Hall
Phone (716) 645-2471
email: barba@buffalo.edu

Dr. Raechele Pope
Associate Professor
482 Baldy Hall
Phone (716) 645-2471 x1095
email: rlpope@buffalo.edu

Kimberly Rogers
Assistant Professor
481 Baldy Hall
Phone (716) 645-2471 x1107
Email: krrogers@buffalo.edu

Julia Colyar
Assistant Professor
477 Baldy Hall
Phone (716) 645-2471 x1086
Email: jecolyar@buffalo.edu

Other Faculty and Staff who instruct courses in this program include:

Dennis Black
Vice President for Student Affairs
University at Buffalo

Dr. Andrea Costantino
Director of Student Life
University at Buffalo

Dr. Beth Del Genio
Chief of Staff
Office of the Provost
University at Buffalo

Dr. Henry Durand
Associate Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
Executive Director, Center for Academic Development Services
University at Buffalo

Dr. Timothy Ecklund
Associate Vice President for Residence Life and Auxiliary Services
Buffalo State College

Dr. Teresa Miklitsch
Senior Academic Advisor, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
University at Buffalo

Barbara Ricotta
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
University at Buffalo

Dr. Daniel Ryan
Director of Career Services
University at Buffalo

Dr. Stuart Steiner
President
Genesee Community College

Dr. Matthew Weigand
Director of New Student Programs
University at Buffalo

Additional Links

Admissions	Multicultural Affairs
Academic Advising	New Student Programs & Orientation
Career Services	Residence Halls & Apartments
Community Service and Service Learning	Student Activities and Programming
Counseling Services	Student Governments and Organizations
Disability Services	Student Health & Wellness Services
Greek Life	Student Relations/Athletics
Judicial Affairs and Students’ Advocacy	Student Unions
Leadership Development