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Mission Statement

The master's program in Student Affairs Administration prepares students to become student-centered, reflective practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively within positions in higher education, to be critical consumers and users of research, and to adapt to changes in the higher education environment. We are guided by a theory to practice approach, the ACPA/NASPA Competencies for Student Affairs and by our commitment to principles of equity, inclusion and diversity. 

Master of Science in Students Affairs Administration Program

The Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration (MS SAA) degree program at °®¶¹´«Ã½ prepares graduates for entry- to mid-level management positions in two- and four-year institutions of higher education. The MS SAA program is ideally suited for those who wish to pursue positions including academic advising, admissions and enrollment management, career development and placement, financial aid, health services, judicial affairs, leadership development, multicultural affairs, non-traditional and commuter student services, residential life, services for students with disabilities, student activities, and student development and involvement. Graduates of the MS SAA program may also acquire skills that are desirable in organizations outside of academia. The curriculum for the MS SAA degree program was designed to meet the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Professional Preparation Commission Standards and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards for Master's Level Student Affairs Professional Preparation Programs.

The MS SAA degree program is grounded in both student development theory and the concept of theory-to-practice-to-theory. Thus, an underlying goal of the program is to prepare professionals who have working knowledge of how student development theory is used in practice and how practice serves to inform future theory development. Graduates will be comfortable discussing research relevant to their selected areas of work within student affairs and feel qualified to contribute to knowledge production at a level appropriate to their experience. A secondary goal of the program is to prepare administrative leaders and personnel who are comfortable working with people of diverse backgrounds in positions that require decision-makers to respond to department/unit situations while taking into consideration how their decisions impact other systems (i.e., departments and/or divisions) within the institution. The MS SAA degree program, coupled with sufficient professional experience, may also serve as the foundation and entry point for persons desiring careers as deans of students and assistant vice presidents for student affairs.

MS SAA Program Goals and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Describe and support college students.
2. Analyze higher education contexts.
3. Demonstrate foundational skills needed to be a successful student affairs educator.

Learning Outcomes and Academic Content

The overall academic content of the program has been structured to enhance the student's ability to think reflectively, work independently and collaboratively with others, as well as be able to investigate and analyze situations in student affairs specifically and higher education in general, both verbally and in writing, using technological aids where appropriate. 

SAA 510 Introduction to Student Personnel Services

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Articulate the purpose, organization, and functions of various student affairs functional areas, and their relationships to the academic mission of various institution types
• Describe essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of all student affairs educators, regardless of functional area or specialization within the field
• Identify relevant theories, literature, and philosophies on which to base informed professional practice
• Synthesize, analyze, and communicate (verbally and written) issues and ideas salient to the student affairs profession
• Develop practices for staying informed of current issues affecting the profession (e.g., building skills, attending conferences, and reading literature)
• Describe who they are as student affairs educators  

SAA 511 College Student Development: Theory, Research, and Practice

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Describe theoretical families (or clusters) of college student development and theories associated with each family (or cluster)
• Articulate how social identities, such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, sex, age, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs, can influence development during the college years
• Identify the strengths and limitations in applying existing theories and models to varying student demographic groups
• Apply theory to student affairs practice

SAA 512 Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion in Student Affairs

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Articulate and apply various theories, frameworks, and scholarship related to individual, organizational, and systemic barriers to inclusion and equity in student affairs practice
• Analyze contemporary equity and diversity issues facing student affairs and higher education
• Develop strategies for becoming a critically conscious student affairs practitioner
• Articulate relationships between their own socially constructed identities in the context of their student affairs practice
• Develop and practice critical thinking, advocacy, and facilitation skills

SAA 513 Organization and Administration in Higher Education

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Describe the course policies for the semester
• Synthesize course chapters with free-standing research articles
• Analyze data from a college president's office using course material. Identify and understand systemic and organizational constructs of "leader" and "leadership"
• Describe the governance systems at one's institution
• Compare two different institutions from two different institutional types
• Articulate the historical contexts of institutional types
• Describe the role of faculty, academic affairs and student affairs educators in the institution
• Verbally communicate connection to course readings and concepts

SAA 514 Law in Higher Education

The overall goal of the course is to teach students to recognize the legal issues that arise in a higher education context with an emphasis upon the student-institution relationship. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Understand the basic structure of the U.S. legal system and how to research, read, and analyze judicial opinions
• Properly identify and frame the legal issues that arise in the particular higher education law topics discussed
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of how law influences institutional policy in the practice of student affairs and in higher education generally

SAA 515 Research in Higher Education

Upon successful completion of the course student still be able to:

• Select AER methods, methodologies, designs, and tools that fit with research and evaluation questions and with assessment and review purposes
• Effectively articulate, interpret and apply results of AER reports and studies, including professional literature
• Consider rudimentary strengths and limitations of various methodological AER approaches in the application of findings to practice in diverse institutional settings and with diverse student populations
• Participate in the design and analysis of quantitative AER studies including understanding statistical reporting that may include complex statistical methods such as multivariate techniques, and articulating the limitations of findings imposed by the differences in practical and statistical significance, validity and reliability
• Ensure all communications of AER results are accurate, responsible, and effective
• Explain the necessity to follow institutional and divisional procedures and policies (e.g., IRB approval, informed consent) with regard to ethical assessment, evaluation, and other research activities

From the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators ACPA & NASPA:  Domain: Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (AER) (p. 20-21).

MS SAA Program Curriculum

The 45-credit (minimum) program serves the needs of students who desire to pursue graduate studies in either full- or part-time formats. The curriculum includes 15 credits hours of core required student affairs coursework, a 3-credit research methods course, 21 credits of electives, a 3-credit (minimum) internship and a 3-credit required capstone course. MS SAA students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 and must receive a B or higher grade in all required courses (SAA 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 524 and the research methods course) to graduate.

Full-time students should be able to complete the requirements of the program in two years of study. The exact duration for part-time students will depend on whether they choose to take at least 6-credit hours per semester and attend classes during the summer. The program curriculum was designed to meet the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Professional Preparation Commission Standards. An outline of the program is as follows:

Required Core Curriculum

• SAA 510 Introduction to Student Personnel Services
• SAA 511 College Student Development: Theory, Research, and Practice
• SAA 512 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Student Affairs
• SAA 513 Organization and Administration in Higher Education
• SAA 514 Law in Higher Education

Required Educational Research Course

• SAA 515 Research Methods in Higher Education OR  PAFF 510 Research Design and Methods
• Other research course: The student must have permission from their MS SAA advisor to take an alternate research course for qualifying credit toward MS SAA degree.

Program Requirements

Electronic portfolio (SAA 524 New Student Affairs Professionals): Students who matriculate into the program after the summer of 2018 will be required to take a culminating course during which they will complete an electronic portfolio during their final semester. The electronic portfolio is the capstone experience for the MS SAA program. It is designed to assess the student's comprehension of knowledge and skills gained from their courses in the program and also serve as a reflection of the learning that has taken place within the program. Revisions to the electronic portfolio may be necessary before it is accepted. Students will be eligible to complete the electronic portfolio only after completing all core courses — SAA 510, SAA 511, SAA 512, SAA 513 and SAA 514. Students are required to earn a B or better in SAA 524.

Comprehensive examination (Applies only to students who matriculated before fall 2018): Students matriculating into the program prior to the summer of 2018 will take a comprehensive examination. The examination is designed to assess the student's knowledge and comprehension of core courses taken in the program. In the event of failure, a student will be permitted to retake the examination only once before he or she will be terminated from the program permanently. The examination must be taken after five core courses are completed — SAA 510, SAA 511, SAA 512, SAA 513 and SAA 514. The examination may not be taken in the student's final or graduating semester.

Electives

MS SAA students are required to take 21 credits of elective coursework. Students may select any elective courses in the MS SAA program. Courses outside the department need to be approved by the department chair or student's faculty advisor.  

Required Internship Experience (minimum 3 credits)

Internships provide new professionals an opportunity to gain invaluable practical experience under the leadership of an experienced practitioner. Through working in student affairs units, students learn how to apply the theory and concepts they are learning in the classroom to real life situations. They also gain a better sense of their particular areas of interest within student affairs and have a chance to develop the skills they will need to be successful in the field. Therefore, all students are required to participate in at least one internship experience while enrolled in the program. However, it is recognized that some students in the program will be experienced professionals enrolled in order to gain advanced academic credentials and/or training for upward mobility. Therefore, students who have professional experience in the field of student affairs (i.e., 3 to 5 years) may be exempt from having to complete the internship experience at the discretion of the faculty advisor. Students will be required to replace the internship credits by taking an additional 3-credit elective course in the major areas of study as a replacement. Because the internship experience is designed to expand the student's current knowledge of theory and practice, students will not be permitted to work in an assignment where they have previous work experience or currently serve as a graduate assistant.

Students will be permitted to register for the internship experience only after they have fully matriculated into the program, completed the 15-credit student affairs administration core curriculum, obtained a grade-point average of B or better and submitted a completed internship Memorandum of Understanding with signatures indicating approval by the site supervisor where they intend to work and the director of internship placement.

The internship format options are as follows:

• Full-time [1] (12 hrs/wk) for one academic semester (spring or fall) (minimum 13 weeks)
• Half-time [2] (6 hrs/wk) for the full academic year (26 weeks)
• Half-time for one academic semester of (spring or fall) plus 78 hours in summer semester
• Summer internship – 156 hours
• [1] Full-time = 12 hrs/wk for 13 weeks = 156
• [2] Half-time = 6 hrs/wk for 26 weeks = 156
• Half-time for one academic semester plus 78 hours in summer = 156 hours

Admission Requirements

Consideration for admission into the MS SAA program will be selective and applicants will be expected to have an academic record and informed interest in pursuing the program consistent with °®¶¹´«Ã½'s norms for graduate study. Admission is open to all individuals with a BA or a BS degree from a recognized college or university who meet the admissions requirements of °®¶¹´«Ã½'s Graduate School.

All official Graduate School application materials are available through the Graduate School website. Submit the following materials to the Graduate School electronically:

• Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
• Transcripts from each college or university attended
• Two letters of recommendation from instructors or professors who can attest to the applicant's academic ability for graduate study. Applicants who have been out of college for at least three years may submit current letters of reference from employment supervisors or others affiliated with their employment who can attest to their ability to perform successfully and professionally, and to the likelihood of success in a graduate program
• A personal statement that addresses the applicant's interest in the program, career goals, and current skills and experiences relative to their current or intended career in student affairs
• Résumé or CV
• Acknowledge the Student Affairs Administration contract (available in the online application)

Submit these materials via instructions on the .  

Following the submission of admission applications, the MS SAA department will begin reviewing application materials to determine the applicant's potential for academic success. After reviewing application materials, faculty recommendations are then made and sent to the Graduate School. The ultimate decision to offer admission into the MSA SAA program rests with the Graduate School at °®¶¹´«Ã½. 

Application Deadlines

Fall

Applications for the fall semester are considered on a rolling basis. It is strongly recommended that prospective students wishing to be considered for a graduate assistantship or other departmental funding submit applications by February 1. Students applying after that date may be eligible for an assistantship or other financial support; however, preference will be given to students who apply by February 1. Although February 1 is the deadline for consideration for departmental funding, the Student Affairs Administration Department will consider applications submitted at any point throughout the year.

Spring

Applications for the spring semester are considered on a rolling basis. Although October 15 is the deadline for consideration for departmental funding, the Student Affairs Administration Department will consider applications submitted at any point throughout the year. Note: Funding may be limited or unavailable for spring semesters. 

Student Affairs Administration Fast-Track Application Process

The fast-track application option is designed to streamline the application process for applicants who finished/or will finish their bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited United States institution of higher education. Prospective students who meet this criterion are able to apply to the Student Affairs Administration program simply by submitting their transcripts, a personal statement and resume. No letters of recommendation are required. Individuals who wish to apply to the MS SAA program through the fast-track application process should email mssaa@binghamton.edu. Applicants will then receive instructions on how to submit their information through °®¶¹´«Ã½'s Graduate School application portal.

International Applicants

International students should also submit proof of English proficiency (such as Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL], International English Language Testing System [IELTS] or PTE Academic scores) as part of their admissions application. The use of English, both in terms of understanding spoken and written language and in terms of communicating that understanding, is a necessary prerequisite for graduate work in the Department of Student Affairs Administration because communication is integral to the profession.

See the Graduate School website for details about the admissions requirements — including proof of English proficiency and immigration and financial documentation — for international students. International students must also follow all of the above requirements. Records of international applicants require special evaluation and, therefore, should be submitted as early as possible. 

Note: Applicants should be aware that some states and institutions require background checks before employment. For positions that require professional licensure, states may restrict or deny professional licensure for people with felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions or actions taken against them by a professional organization. In addition, students admitted to the program are required to satisfactorily complete an internship. For placement into an internship, offices and agencies may require personal information and conduct background checks. Offices and agencies have the right to refuse placements. Students may be required to have, and so then must obtain, malpractice insurance before they are placed in internships with these requirements. The insurance agency requires disclosure of personal information including convictions and may or may not issue insurance coverage. Therefore, while the Department of Student Affairs Administration will work diligently to place students in internships, students admitted into the program are not guaranteed internship placement in an office or agency, which is a requirement for graduation. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the department chair.

Transfer Credits

Students may be permitted to transfer up to 12-credit hours of prior graduate-level student affairs-related coursework into the proposed program, but only at the discretion of and with approval by the chair of the program. Consideration will be given for courses taken within the last five years in which a B or higher was earned. Academic credit is not given for life experience or previous work experience.

MS SAA-MPA Dual-Degree Program

The MS SAA program offers a dual-degree program opportunity with the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program that allows students to pursue two master's degrees concurrently. Interested students should contact the department offices of both programs for additional information.

By carefully structuring the sequence of courses, recognizing comparable course offerings and using courses in one program to count as electives in the other, the MPA-MS SAA dual degree program allows students to complete both degrees in three years of full-time study, without compromising the professional standards of either program. The 42-credit hour MPA program and the 45-credit hour MS in Student Affairs Administration program can be completed as part of a 64-credit hour program (rather than 87 credit hours required to complete the two programs without the benefit of the dual degree structure).

MS SAA-MSW Dual-Degree Program

The MS SAA program offers a dual-degree program opportunity with the Master of Social Work (MSW) program that allows students to pursue two master's degrees concurrently. Interested students should contact the department offices of both programs for additional information.

By carefully structuring the sequence of courses, recognizing comparable course offerings and using courses in one program to count as electives in the other, the MSW-MS SAA dual degree program allows students to complete both degrees in three years of full-time study, without compromising the professional standards of either program. The 64-credit hour MSW program and the 45-credit hour MS in Student Affairs Administration program can be completed as part of a 88-credit program.

Selected Academic Policies

Below are selected department and University policies. For a full listing of each area's policies, please refer to the respective websites.

Academic Advising

Incoming students will be assigned a faculty advisor to assist them in developing a proposed program of study (POS) to use as a guide toward degree completion. New students will be required to attend an orientation session at the beginning of their program and meet with their academic advisor (i.e., in person or via email) at least once each semester, before registering for the subsequent semester's coursework. In the event it becomes necessary, the department chair will substitute as the faculty advisor for a student until another advisor is assigned.

Independent Study 

Matriculated students with good academic standing (a GPA over 3.0) may request up to three credits of independent study per semester by providing a proposed faculty sponsor with a detailed memorandum outlining the objectives of the study program and an Independent Study Course Registration Form. Faculty members are not required to accept independent study requests, and it is the faculty member's prerogative to reject or amend a student's proposal. Independent study projects are generally reserved for students desiring to pursue a specific line of inquiry. In most cases, faculty members will not approve independent study requests by students in their first year of graduate study or when an appropriate seminar is available to the student. Independent studies cannot be used as a substitute for core courses. Once a faculty member signs an independent study memorandum and a course registration form, and it is approved by the program, a copy will be filed in the student's record. It will be the contracted agreement between the student and the faculty sponsor. A final copy of the student's completed project will be filed with the student's program records.

Supervision of Students

The faculty advisor is the primary person who will assist the student in developing a proposed program of study (POS) that outlines courses needed for degree completion. The role of the faculty advisor is to assess the academic and professional background of the student, review his/her professional goals and approve the student's proposed program of study. The faculty advisor should meet with the student to discuss these issues during the student's first semester in the program, or in the case of part-time students, shortly after the student completes nine credits of coursework. Generally speaking, the faculty advisor will serve as the student's mentor and guide. However, students are encouraged to develop professional relationships with all of the faculty in the program.

Continuous Registration and Leave of Absence

All matriculated students must enroll in at least one credit per fall and spring semester until they graduate; this is considered continuous registration. Summer registration is not required. However, students must register during the semester they plan to complete the program. Students who fail either to maintain continuous registration or request a leave of absence must reapply to the program (which means paying an additional application fee to the University). Other charges may apply. A leave of absence is granted for exceptional circumstances of hardship (family illness, etc.). Normally, leaves are granted for up to one year. All students must be registered during the semester in which they graduate.

Graduation and Commencement Information

Students must submit the Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) and check with their advisors to make sure they have completed all of the requirements for the degree. 

Students are responsible for contacting the Commencement Office regarding participation in Commencement and if tickets are needed. Students must order the appropriate cap, gown, etc. from the University Bookstore by its deadline.

All students must be registered for at least one credit in the semester they complete their degree requirements and graduate.

Student Advancement Policies and Procedures

Student Advancement Policy

The purpose of this policy is to create a process which will allow a timely and positive intervention when students are identified by faculty, internship supervisors or student peers as experiencing problems that interfere with their progress in the MS SAA program. Through this policy, the MS SAA program exercises its responsibility to the student affairs administration profession to determine whether students have demonstrated the required level of achievement in the areas of classroom performance and professional and ethical behavior necessary to interact positively in organizations of higher education.

Advancement Requirements

Advancement of students from one semester to the next is contingent upon satisfactory progress each semester. Evaluation of student progress in class courses and in internships is based upon criteria as stated in syllabi, in internship placement agreements, and on skill, competencies and personal behaviors listed below.

Academic Performance:

• At minimum, a "B" average (3.0 GPA) must be maintained in all work taken as part of the requirements for the degree
• Students are required to earn a "B" or better in all core classes and research methods course
• A grade of "C" in any three courses or a grade of "F" in any course will result in AUTOMATIC dismissal from the MS SAA program

Professional Performance:

1. Students are expected to obtain and analyze data, synthesize information and reach sound judgments

2. Students are expected to plan and implement effective professional practices

3. Students are expected to relate well with University supervisors, colleagues and students

4. Students are expected to demonstrate a commitment to and skill in self-evaluation

5. Students are expected to respond to evaluation, testing and criticism with appropriate modification of behavior

Ethical Performance:

1. Students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic program.

2. Students are expected to adhere to the American College Personnel Association's (ACPA) Code of Ethical Principles and Standards in all interactions with peers, staff, full-time and adjunct faculty, internship instructors and all other members of the university community.

Advancement Process and Procedures

Advancement is a process intended to assure that each student maintains adequate progress in gaining the skills, competencies and behaviors required for graduation and ethical professional student affairs administration practice.

Students will advance automatically from semester to semester unless they are informed otherwise. Problems in academic, professional or ethical behavior may be identified at any point in the semester by faculty (full-time and adjunct) or staff. Additionally, the faculty will review students currently enrolled each semester. The individual expressing the concern, if someone other than the student's advisor, will confer with the student's advisor (or the department chair if the individual is the student's advisor) to determine whether the concern justifies the formal process set forth below.

1. Any faculty member (full-time or adjunct) or staff who identifies a concern regarding a student's academic performance, professional behavior or ethical conduct, shall immediately notify the student, the student's advisor and the department chair. The notice needs to be in writing and specify in what ways the student is failing to meet the advancement requirements.

2. The person identifying the concern shall meet with the student, the student's advisor and the department chair. They shall develop a written plan to resolve the academic, professional or ethical deficiency. The plan shall state with specificity the concern(s), the actions to be undertaken by the student and the date by which the student must demonstrate the completion of and compliance with the plan. The plan must allow a reasonable period of time for completion but shall not allow more than one semester beyond the semester in which the concern is expressed. The plan must be signed by all the participants of this meeting. If unable to reach consensus, the concern shall be returned to the department chair who will confer with the dean regarding the concern. A written copy of the final plan must be filed with the department chair.

3. Students who have unresolved concern(s) (i.e., concern[s] for which the written plan is in the process of development or the written plan remains executory) on file with the department chair at the end of the semester shall be notified by the department chair that they are advanced on a probationary basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, students will not be approved for graduation if they have unresolved concern(s) on file.

4. The student's advisor shall, on or before the date specified in the plan for resolution of the concern, consult with the person who identified the concern under Item 1 above. If the student's advisor is the person identifying the concern, then he/she will consult with the department chair. They will determine whether or not the student has completed the actions designated in the plan and whether the concern has been resolved. This decision will be reported in writing to the department chair.

• If the concern(s) is resolved, the department chair shall provide the student a copy of the report.
• If the concern(s) is not resolved, the department chair shall notify the student in writing and provide a copy of the report. The department chair, in consultation with the dean, will consider further action.

The action may include:

1. Dismissing the concern as having no merit.

2. Placing conditions on the student's advancement in the program.

3. Recommending the student be suspended for a period of time.

4. Recommending the student be dismissed from the program.

The department chair will notify the student in writing.

Professional Ethics

Currently, there is no national accrediting body governing student affairs administration programs. However, the (ACPA) serves as one of the leading organizations for student affairs that provides administration, policy and practice-related oversight in the United States. ACPA also provides a national conference and numerous professional development opportunities for professionals in the field. Students are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, ACPA's Code of Ethical Principles and Standards that govern the profession. These can be found at the ACPA website.

Academic Grievance

If a student has a complaint about a grade or other academic grievances, the student should first try to resolve any grievance with their instructor. If, after meeting with the course instructor, the student wishes to pursue further action, he or she should meet with their program director or department chair to discuss options. A copy of the CCPA Grievance Procedure is available from the CCPA Dean’s Office.

Academic Honesty

The Department of Student Affairs Administration takes violations of the Academic Honesty Code very seriously. However, the faculty understands the pressures of graduate school and urges students to seek consultation if they feel they are unable to complete assignments properly in a timely fashion. It is recognized that most students do not intend to plagiarize, but do so because of concerns that their work will not “make the grade."

The Student Academic Honesty Code can be reviewed in the Academic Guide (Formerly Bulletin) section on Academic Policies and Procedures for All Students. In the event a violation of the Academic Honesty Code is suspected, the College of Community and Public Affairs’ procedures for resolving academic honesty cases will be followed. The CCPA Ethics and Integrity procedures can be viewed online.

List of Faculty