/School of Professional Development
Higher Education Administration

Admissions

Ready for your next step?

Stony Brook University's HEA program admits both full-time and part-time students who have the talent and drive to become leaders.

We welcome applications from emerging and established professionals, as well as new graduates. No standardized testing or specific undergraduate preparation is required for admission.

This process culiminates in an admitted student cohort that brings together people with diverse experiences and backgrounds who will enrich our community and advance the field.

We look forward to learning about you.


APPLICATION DEADLINES

Please submit all materials by the deadline to be considered for the upcoming term.

Fall: August 4
Spring: January 5
Summer: May 1

Start your application

A group of HEA students sitting at a table

Admissions Criteria

Admission is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of undergraduate major. The following criteria are required for admissions consideration:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or a foreign equivalent. This degree can be in any subject.

A minimum 3.0 grade point average in prior academic work. In exceptional cases, a GPA below 3.0 will be considered for "conditional admission" to the School of Professional Development. The committee considers the rigor and GPA trend of prior coursework, any post-undergraduate coursework, years of professional experience, quality of writing of the personal statement and essay, and strength of the letters of recommendation.  Conditionally admitted students must achieve a 3.0 GPA after 6 credits of graduate work to continue in the program. 

 

How to Apply

You'll need to gather the following materials and submit by the deadline date for the semester you wish to apply. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Official Transcript: Sent By Your Undergraduate Institution
Our How to Submit Your Official Transcripts page will explain how to order your transcripts from your previous institution.

Current Undergraduates
Applicants who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program should submit a current official transcript. 

Stony Brook Alumni
If you earned your bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University, you only need to submit your unofficial transcript, not your official transcript.

International Students
Please review the transcript information presented on our International Students page.

Applicants are required to submit an updated resume and a personal statement in the application portal.

The statement should be an original work of 750-1,000 words in which you  answer the following questions:
  • What is your purpose in pursuing a Master of Arts or Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration (HEA)?
  • Why do you wish to be a part of the HEA program at Stony Brook University?
  • How have you prepared yourself for a career in higher education? (Include any relevant undergraduate, graduate, or professional experience.)
  • Specifically, how will the HEA degree/certificate assist you in advancing both your professional and personal goals?
  • Describe your research and study interests and any other aspects of your background, skills, or qualifications that would aid the HEA Admissions Committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.
  • If there is an academic performance or other weakness in your application that you wish to address, please include this in your personal statement so that the HEA Admissions Committee can make an informed decision.

Applicants will upload an original essay of 750-1000 words that addresses the following question: What are three critical issues facing colleges and universities today?

Your essay should reflect high quality writing skills and demonstrate your ability to pursue graduate level work.

The HEA Admissions Committee will review your essay on the basis of content, sentence structure, organization, critical thinking and analysis. You may consult and include outside resources in your essay, but if you do, you must include citations in the text in APA format as well as a reference page with the author's name, year of publication, and title of publication.

Letters should be from employers, colleagues, teachers, or professors with whom you have worked or studied that can speak to your experience and interest in pursuing studies in Higher Education Administration. Submit the names and email addresses of the recommenders on your application and they will be contacted. Do not collect paper or digital letters as there is no way for you to upload them into the application system.

Upload a resume that includes degree(s) earned, employment history, and past/current leadership, volunteer, or other relevant involvement and experience.

Applicants whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English must also submit one of the following:
  • A TOEFL internet-based score of 80 or above. TOEFL iBT® Home Edition test scores are acceptable.
  • An IELTS test with an overall score of 6.5 or above, with no sub-scores below 6.0
Official scores are required to have an application reviewed for possible admission. Applicants who do not meet the minimum test scores will not be considered.

Please instruct ETS to send the official score reports electronically to the State University of New York at Stony Brook, code 2548. View TOEFL website →

$100 fee, payable online by credit card (non-refundable).

 

Missed the deadline?

You can take a course — or two — as a non-matriculated student. The credits you earn will count toward your degree.

Get the Details

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is no required undergraduate major to apply to the HEA program. We are looking for students who have a strong interest in working in a college or university setting. The HEA degree program includes a significant amount of reading and writing, so students should be prepared to hone those skills during their studies.

No work experience in student affairs or higher education is required to attend the HEA program.  Familiarity with higher education and student affairs is helpful in ensuring that HEA applicants have an interest in working as a professional staff member in a college or university setting.

No, we don’t believe that one’s ability to do well on a standardized test is a good predictor of success in the HEA program or in the higher education field.

You will need to submit a personal statement, an essay, and a resume to let us know why you think the HEA program will help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You will also need to send your official undergraduate transcript to us showing you have earned your bachelor’s degree (prior to the start of your HEA graduate coursework). You will also need to submit two letters of recommendation.

Recommendations can come from a variety of sources, such as a past or current faculty members, past or current supervisors, or a colleague who is currently working in the higher education field.

We generally seek at least a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA (B average) for admission. We do consider applicants who have a GPA that’s lower than 3.0 and may offer conditional admission, particularly for candidates who already have professional experience in higher education. Conditionally admitted students must achieve a 3.0 GPA after 6 credits of graduate work to continue in the HEA program. Candidates whose academic record may not be reflective of their abilities are encouraged to share more information as part of their personal statement in the application.

Yes, you can transfer up to 12 graduate credits towards the master’s degree and up to 6 graduate credits towards the advanced graduate certificate as long as they meet the following criteria:
  • The credits earned were not part of another program in which you earned a degree.
  • You earned a B or better in the course.
  • The credits were earned within the last 5 years.
All requests must be reviewed and approved by the HEA faculty director. For more information, review the transfer credit policy.

For the online HEA program, we admit students for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. For the in-person cohort program, we admit students for the fall only. Application deadlines for each semester are listed at the top of this page.

Still not sure?

We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

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