Online, on campus, or in combination.
The Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration is a 36-credit program that can be taken after completing a bachelor’s, master’s, or other advanced degree.
It is the appropriate degree for someone who wishes to work in the higher education field in a student affairs or administration capacity — either working directly with students or in a service-related or administrative department.
Students can choose to take all their courses online, or they can combine on-campus and virtual courses.
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.
- 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
- HEA 586: Practicum in Higher Education
- HEA 587: Advanced Practicum in Higher Education Administration
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.
Sample Part-Time Program
Finish in 24-36 months
This program is designed so that part-time students can manage the pace of their studies.
Your time-to-degree-completion depends on the number of courses you plan to take each
term, the electives you choose, and the kinds of unforeseen circumstances that can
force students to slow down — or speed up — their degree progress.
YEAR ONE
Fall
- HEA 501: Foundations of Higher Education Administration
- HEA 502: Survey of College Student Development Theory
Spring
- HEA 503: Leadership in Higher Education
- HEA 504: Research and Assessment in Higher Education
Summer
- HEA 521: Diversity and Higher Education
- HEA 535: International Higher Education
YEAR TWO
Fall
- HEA 510: Technology in Higher Education
- HEA 524: Enrollment Management
Spring
- HEA 527: Community College Administration
- HEA 595: Project Seminar
Summer
- HEA 526: Career Counseling and the Psychology of Work
- HEA 560: Comparative University Systems
Have questions?
We are happy to help! Connect with an admissions counselor.