Advance your career in student affairs or academic administration — on campus or through our fully online graduate programs
Stony Brook’s Higher Education Administration programs are built for professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of college students. Whether you’re starting out in student affairs or advancing into leadership, you’ll gain the knowledge, tools, and credentials to support student success and drive institutional change.
You’ll be able to:
- Study full-time or part-time
- Learn 100% online, fully on-campus, or combine both formats for optimal flexibility
- Pursue a 36-credit master's or an 18-credit certificate
Courses combine theory and practice to prepare you for real-world roles in student
services, residential life, advising, academic operations, and more. Our master's
curriculum is aligned with the NASPA and ACPA competencies that shape the profession—and
our students.
Three Program Options
Part-Time MA in Higher Education Administration
Available 100% online
Flexible format for working professionals. Admits part-time students in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Get the detailsFull-Time MA Degree
Created for emerging professionals
Immersive on-campus cohort model with Fall admission only. Student employment support
is available.
Advanced Graduate Certificate
A fast track to a focused credential
Gain foundational knowledge in a 6 course, 18-credit program.
Academic Quality
Stony Brook University is New York's #1 public university, ranked among the country's top 30 by US News and World Report.
24 Months
Full-time students can complete the master’s in two years. Part-time students can finish at their own pace while working.
The Power of Choice
Customize your path with flexible formats and a wide selection of electives aligned to your goals and interests.
Professional Standards
Our curriculum aligns with NASPA and ACPA competencies to support student affairs leadership development.
FEATURED FACULTY
Stephanie Foote, PhD
Stephanie M. Foote is the Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Evidence-Based Practices at the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education. Stephanie has worked in higher education for more than 25 years in a variety of faculty and staff positions and has taught in the Higher Education Administration (HEA) program since 2013. Nationally recognized for her teaching, Stephanie strives to create an environment in her courses that prioritizes student learning and engagement while helping students see the many connections between theory and professional practice.
Real Stories. Real Success.
“Stony Brook offered me a golden opportunity to really launch my career. I thoroughly enjoyed all my classes and learned so much from the mentors I worked with along the way. Without the HEA program, I wouldn’t be as effective of an administrator as I am now.”
Columbia University School of Professional Studies
“Every course is so well designed. The curriculum is solid and everything is really well laid out. I also appreciated the faculty — everyone was incredibly passionate about their work, and they were good practitioners in the field to be learning from. It was a great program to be part of!”
Fairleigh Dickinson University
“I was very glad to find an affordable option that allowed me to be asynchronous. Even though I wasn’t meeting people face-to-face, I was able to connect with them intellectually and share ideas, which was really empowering.”
Phnom Penh University of the Arts
What You'll Learn
Our curriculum supports leadership across student affairs and academic operations. Explore content areas designed to strengthen your professional impact:
- Student Development Theory
- Equity, Inclusion & College Access
- Budgeting & Financial Management
- Higher Education Law & Policy
- Advising and Counseling
- Enrollment Management
- Leadership in Higher Education
- Assessment & Evaluation
- Organization & Governance
- Career Development in Higher Ed
Where This Degree Can Take You
Graduates of our program work in colleges and universities across the country, serving in a range of student- and institution-facing roles.
- Academic Advisor
- Student Affairs Administrator
- Residence Life Coordinator
- Program or Operations Manager
- Enrollment or Admissions Officer
- Academic Program Planner
- Assessment & Evaluation Specialist
- Career Services Advisor
Frequently Asked Questions
- Gain specialized knowledge in the field from industry experts
- Stay current with trends and best practices
- Add to credentials to advance their career or become competitive in the job market
- Improve strategic decision-making abilities
- Build networking opportunities
- Enhance their collaboration, administration and leadership skills
- Increase their earning potential
Read More About HEA Careers
The School of Professional Development has been a leader in online learning for more than 25 years, so you can be confident that our programs, courses and faculty reflect the highest standards in the industry.
Lastly, as a New York State institution, Stony Brook offers affordable excellence, with the second lowest graduate tuition of any research institution in the Northeast (Source: National Center for Education Statistics/IPEDS).
If you're working full-time, we recommend that you take no more than two HEA classes per semester given the required workload. By pursuing your degree while you work, you're able to start using what you've learned right away, which can improve your job performance and may open up other opportunities before you even graduate.
Students in our full-time, on-campus program would not be able to complete their studies while working full-time.
Still exploring? We’ve got you covered.
Choosing a graduate program is a big decision — and we’re here to help you make it with confidence. Learn more about the options, formats, and outcomes that matter to you most.