Selective cohort program for full-time students.
The Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration's on-campus cohort program is designed for students with little to no professional experience working in higher education.
The program is especially well-suited for recent graduates who desire to gain experience and a career direction by working and completing practica in a variety of campus offices.
Students progress through the program together, taking the same classes and forming close connections with their classmates, faculty and practicum supervisors.
This program admits students for the Fall term only.
Program Requirements
All of these courses must be taken for a total of 18 credits.
- HEA 501: Foundations of Higher Education Administration
- HEA 502: Survey of College Student Development Theory
- HEA 503: Leadership in Higher Education
- HEA 504: Research and Assessment in Higher Education
- HEA 521: Diversity and Higher Education
- HEA 595: Project Seminar
Students choose six electives for a total of 18 credits. *If you have less than a year of full-time higher education experience, choose four electives, as you must take both practicum courses below.
- HEA 510: Technology in Higher Education
- HEA 520: Advising and Counseling in Higher Education
- HEA 522: Crisis Management and Prevention in Higher Education
- HEA 523: Student Affairs Administration
- HEA 524: Enrollment Management
- HEA 525: The Contemporary Undergraduate
- HEA 526: Career Counseling and the Psychology of Work
- HEA 527: Community College Administration
- HEA 530: Legal Issues in Higher Education
- HEA 531: Finance Issues in Higher Education
- HEA 532: Facilities Management in Higher Education
- HEA 533: Intercollegiate Athletics in Higher Education
- HEA 535: International Higher Education
- HEA 540: Critical Issues in Higher Education
- HEA 560: Comparative University Systems
All practicum experiences must be approved by the program director prior to enrollment in HEA 586 or 587.
Students seeking practicum opportunities at SBU should start with Handshake. In addition, we occasionally share opportunities via our Brightspace Community Page. Students who are looking outside of Stony Brook must find a department and supervisor who is willing to work with them. Supervisors are required to have an earned master's degree and at least 5 years of professional higher education experience.
If you have any questions about the practicum, please contact Brian Kerr.
Graduate Employment Opportunities
To strengthen your resume with hands-on higher education experience and help support your education costs, upon admission to the HEA program, our team works closely with you to find a graduate employment opportunity on Stony Brook's campus.
Gain valuable employment experience in a variety of areas, including student affairs, academic affairs, enrollment management, and student services.
- Student affairs employment opportunities are listed on the Division of Student Affairs website and Handshake.
- Enrollment management and student services positions are posted on Handshake.
Questions about graduate employment? Please contact Cheryl Chambers.
On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing
Need housing? There are several options to consider.
Campus Residences
To learn more about graduate housing on campus, including options, costs, amenities, and deadlines, visit Campus Residences or email reside@stonybrook.edu. Note that some graduate employment opportunities include on-campus housing as part of the compensation.
Off-Campus Housing
To learn more about off-campus housing, including rental advice and current listings, visit the Off-Campus Living or email commuter_services@stonybrook.edu.
Social Media
There are also several Facebook groups for off-campus housing (not affiliated with Stony Brook University) that you can join by searching for "Stony Brook Graduate Housing Group." Before you start looking for off-campus housing, please read and follow the important What You Need to Know advice on our Off-Campus Living website.
Sample Course Schedule for the Full-Time Cohort Program
Finish in two years
YEAR ONE
Fall
- HEA 501: Foundations of Higher Education Administration
- HEA 502: Survey of College Student Development Theory
- HEA 522: Crisis Management and Prevention in Higher Education
Spring
- HEA 503: Leadership in Higher Education
- HEA 504: Research and Assessment in Higher Education
- HEA 523: Student Affairs Administration
YEAR TWO
Fall
- HEA 521: Diversity and Higher Education
- HEA 525: The Contemporary Undergraduate
- HEA 526: Career Counseling and the Psychology of Work
Spring
- HEA 595: Project Seminar
- HEA 540: Critical Issues in Higher Education
- HEA 587: Advanced Practicum in Higher Education Administration
Need more info?
We are happy to help! Connect with an admissions counselor.