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Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, M.A.

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Graduate Major

Allendale • Grand Rapids • Face to face • 39 Credits

Higher education and student affairs administration fosters student growth, engagement, and success through leadership, advocacy, and holistic support in collegiate environments.

Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program prepares students to become effective scholar/practitioner/educators who pursue various administrative roles in higher education contexts, facilitate student learning and promote student success, and shape inclusive higher education communities.

Graduates of the HESAA program are prepared to work in a variety of areas such as admissions, student orientation, housing, academic advising, financial aid, inclusion and equity, and international affairs.

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

Admission Information

Admission requires completed application, resumé, one recommendation, and an essay/personal statement addressing specific prompts.

College of Education and Community Innovation

401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
[email protected]

Program Director

Paul Bylsma, Ph.D.

(616) 331-6667
[email protected]

Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is July 15; winter deadline is November 15; spring/summer deadline is March 15. International prospective students must apply by May 1. International students must apply to the full-time (CSAL) track for fall admission.

79%
GVSU Students Receive Offers Before Graduation
A "Best Bang for Your Buck"
By Washington Monthly
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com

Career Options

The program prepares graduates to work with college students and higher education professionals in areas such as:

  • Academic advising
  • Career services
  • Housing and residential life
  • Admissions
  • Financial aid
  • Multicultural affairs

Accreditation

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

 

Applying to the Program

A complete application file will include the following:

  • Graduate application to admission at GVSU and $30 nonrefundable application fee; waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU;
  • Official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for a graduate assistantship;
  • One letter of recommendation;
  • A resume; and
  • A personal statement of 500-750 words answering the following: a.) Tell us why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education and student affairs; b.) Tell us what you believe to be the most important issue facing higher education and student affairs in the United States and/or globally and why.

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Page last modified December 1, 2025