Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs

School of Education

Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs

What Will I Learn in the Master of Arts in Higher Education & Student Affairs program? 

The Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MA HESA) program offers a professional pathway to advance your career goals as an effective administrator, educator, and leader in higher education. Whether currently employed in higher education, or seeking a new career, the MA HESA provides professional faculty experts, real-world experiences, and opportunities to explore career options. 

Designed for working students and professionals, evening programming options include full-time (two-year completion) or part-time study options, rolling admissions to meet your start-date needs, and courses in three semester terms: fall, spring, and the summer session. 

Meeting face-to-face with faculty, you will be mentored and advised according to your individualized study plan.  

The MA HESA program is designed to prepare students to be impactful higher education practitioners through professional skill development, practical experiences, practica, program development, evaluation, and assessment based on best practices. Forming the next generation of visionary leaders for postsecondary education, the program educates the mind and heart in service to the world. 

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Higher Education and Student Affairs Courses 

Credits and Length: The 30-credit master’s program in Higher Education and Student Affairs is designed to be completed in 2 years. Students generally enroll in 6 semester hours of credit in three contiguous semesters (fall, spring, and summer) during consecutive years of study. Part-time options may be planned individually based on consultation. 

MA HESA Curriculum: All students in our program experience a learning model that bridges theory, best practices, and applied research for immediate impact on the profession. 

Doctor of Education (EdD) Option: If you have already earned a master's degree, and your goal is to become a HESA professional, you may apply to the EdD program and, if accepted, select HESA as your area of concentration. The EdD program offers an innovative program for advanced leadership with area-of-concentration options based on applicant career goals. For more information about doctoral studies with a HESA concentration, consult the EdD program page. 

Post-Master's Certificate Option: If you have already earned a master's degree, and your goal is to become a HESA professional but you do not wish to pursue an EdD degree, you may apply to the Post-Master's HESA Certificate Program. 

Degree Requirements

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Program Overview

Credits and Length: The 30-credit master’s program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Students generally enroll in 6 semester hours of credit in three contiguous semesters (fall, spring, and summer) during consecutive years of study. Part-time options may be planned individually based on consultation.

MA HESA Curriculum: All students in our program experience a learning model that bridges theory, best practices, and applied research for immediate impact on the profession.

Doctor of Education (EdD) Option: If you have already earned a master's degree, and your goal is to become a HESA professional, you may apply to the EdD program and, if accepted, select HESA as your area of concentration. The EdD program offers an innovative program for advanced leadership with area-of-concentration options based on applicant career goals. For more information about doctoral studies with a HESA concentration, consult the EdD program page.

Post-Master's Certificate Option: If you have already earned a master's degree, and your goal is to become a HESA professional but you do not wish to pursue an EdD degree, you may apply to the Post-Master's HESA Certificate Program.

Dedicated Faculty and Professional Network: Program faculty hold advanced degrees and have executive work experience in higher education. In addition to the courses offered through the graduate programs in the School of Education, the MA HESA program also has strong connections and programming with the UP Pamplin School of Business and the Department of Communications graduate program. Students in the MA HESA program are introduced to a broad professional network of higher education and student affairs personnel across a variety of units at UP and beyond. Local, regional, and national partnerships and networks are an essential component of the graduate school experience for student in the MA HESA program.

Eric Anctil, PhD, Associate Professor

Eric Anctil is the program director and graduate advisor for the MA HESA program. Dr. Anctil teaches a variety of courses in the MA HESA program as well as in other programs across the University. Dr. Anctil received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master’s degree from Portland State University, and a dual-Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon. He has taught in higher education since 1999 and has been at the University of Portland since 2008. 

Careers

Make an impact as an effective administrator, educator, and leader in higher education.

Jobs with an MA HESA

The MA HESA prepares you for a variety of roles in higher education, such as: 

College unions | Student senate | Orientation | Student activities | Service learning/civic engagement | Multicultural programs | Identity diversity programs | Financial aid | Program counseling | Leisure and recreational sports programs | Women's programs | Veterans programs | Support centers for students with disabilities | Art galleries | Career placement | Study abroad programs | Residence life and housing | Recreation/fitness centers | Student conduct | Campus Ministry | Commuter student offices | Student government advising | Graduate student association | Student employment office | First-year student programs | Leadership programs | International student centers | Academic event management

More than a degree

Explore some unique opportunities that set UP’s MA HESA degree apart. 

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Accessible and Affordable

Courses are delivered on the UP campus one evening a week. The School of Education offers programs at some of the lowest tuition rates in the Portland Metropolitan Area; all programs are eligible for federal financial aid and no application fee is required.

Dedicated Faculty and Professional Network

Program faculty hold advanced degrees and have executive work experience in higher education. In addition to the courses offered through the graduate programs in the School of Education, the MA HESA program also has strong connections and programming with the UP Pamplin School of Business and the Department of Communications graduate program. Students in the MA HESA program are introduced to a broad professional network of higher education and student affairs personnel across a variety of units at UP and beyond. Local, regional, and national partnerships and networks are an essential component of the graduate school experience for students in the MA HESA program.

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Holy Cross Tradition

Guided by University of Portland’s Holy Cross identity, mission, and values, the operations and technology management bachelor’s degree program instills a commitment to ethical tech implementation. The program encourages you to think beyond your capabilities to consider the broader impact on society.

The UP Difference

Discover University of Portland’s standout academic experience with career-advancing experiential learning, along with dedicated faculty support empowering you toward success.

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Average Class Size

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Aligned with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and American College Personnel Association (ACPA) professional competencies. 

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Private University in the West by U.S. News & World Report

 

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The MA HESA provides professional faculty experts, real-world experiences, and opportunities to explore career options.

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