Administration, Leadership, and Technology

Higher and Postsecondary Education

Student Personnel Administration, M.A.

The NYU Masters Program in Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration prepares students for careers in higher education. The curriculum encompasses broad themes in the history and development of higher education both in the U.S. and abroad, and includes the study of colleges as institutions; student learning and development; the profession of student affairs; research and assessment methods; access to higher education and diversity, and the theory and practice of leadership.

Our program selects students who have performed very well academically in their undergraduate years and have demonstrated both commitment to and expertise in student affairs activities. Typical of the undergraduate experiences they bring are

All full-time students are required to have internships of 20 hours a week while they pursue the 2-year curriculum (36 Credits); the internships provide a stipend and tuition support as well as extremely valuable practical experience and socialization into the profession. Students take three courses each semester as well and complete a capstone project during their second year.

Part-time students must have a full time position in higher education to enroll in the Masters program.

M.A. students in the program are active members of the University community. Students are involved in the Association of Student Affairs Professionals (ASAP) as well as other NYU student organizations. In 2004, the M.A. students launched a student run journal: Journal of Student Affairs at New York University.

The material below describes the required courses, gives examples of past internships and summarizes the capstone project.

Fall 2009 M.A. Information Session

The Fall 2009 information session for the Master's Programs within the Administration, Leadership, and Technology department (which includes the Higher Education / Student Personnel Administration) has already passed.  For more information, please contact the program directly at steinhardt.highered@nyu.edu.

Check back for information on future information sessions as they are scheduled.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

Foundations of Higher Education

This course introduces students to colleges and universities as a professional field. Emphasis is on historical development, philosophical and sociological foundations, the structure and variety of students and institutions, governance and administration, professional standards, the role of specialists, ethical problems and relationships to other professions and educational sectors.

Internship Seminar/ Practicum: Problems in Higher Education

The purpose of this seminar is to serve as an opportunity to integrate the content and information presented in formal classroom settings with the practical field experience.

College Student Learning and Development

This course explores the characteristics of students attending various types of institutions and the theories of growth and development for traditional and older-aged students. This course also reviews research on attendance and withdrawal, institutional environment and student subcultures, and the immediate and long-term effects of a college experience.

Diversity in Higher Education

This course examines current issues and research relating to participation and success of students and faculty from different backgrounds in U.S. higher education. Emphasis is on the interplay between ethnicity and institutional, societal, governmental, and personal influences on participation and retention of students and faculty.

Leadership In Higher Education

This course is designed to give students an understanding of several major theoretical approaches to understanding leadership, and to examine how leadership functions within higher education. Students learn how to observe and analyze roles and behaviors in higher education and gain useful insights for their own development as professionals.

Research Approaches & Techniques in Postsecondary Education

The purpose of this course is to develop good consumers of educational research and to introduce topics and skills of educational research and evaluation. The course is intended for those who conduct research on college campuses and emphasizes a practitioner-oriented approach to research for use on a college campus.

Elective Courses (18 credits)

Courses selected by advisement.  Examples include:  International Perspectives and Education Reform; How Colleges Work; The College Environment; The Community College; Higher Education and the Law; Learning in Higher and Workplace Education; Politics of Higher Education; History of Higher Education; Sociology of Higher Education; Workplace Learning; Group Dynamics; Dynamics of Vocational Development; and Cross Cultural Counseling

 

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project encourages students to put learning into action.

As part of the curriculum, all students complete a Capstone Project to enhance their professional development and prepare for career placement. The Capstone Project has three components:

• Statements of professional philosophy and preparation;

• Portfolio of accomplishments; and

• Participation points in higher education related activities.

These components encourage students to reflect on their M.A. learning experience, develop a professional philosophy to guide their career, and connect to the student affairs profession. By the end of the experience, students complete a comprehensive portfolio for use in job interviews and career advancement.

Internships

Internship selection is part of our admissions process, with extensive interviews for both students and supervisors. Program faculty work closely with internship supervisors to provide a unique and rich academic and professional program. Most internships are at NYU in students affairs and in many of our schools and colleges, but we also have many placements at colleges across New York City. The list below is a representative sampling of current internships:

Examples of Internship Positions