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*Degree pending approval to begin enrolling in fall of 2026.

The Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA):

  • empowers you to address real-world challenges and implement systemic change through cohort-based, immersive, practitioner-focused experience 
  • challenges you to think critically about the role of higher education in society and to advocate for transformative change
  • gives you tools to ensure all students can access, thrive, and succeed, specifically underserved populations
  •  offers meaningful assistantships, internships, and practicum opportunities with AU departments, national associations and policy organizations, and community stakeholders
  • prepares you to lead through the sociopolitical complexities of higher education
  • emphasizes the integration of theory, scholarly research, and practical application in higher education policy and student affairs
  • has faculty with significant leadership experience in higher education who are leading scholars in the field
  • prepares you to work in dynamic practitioner environments through case-studies, internships, and assistantships
  • offers graduate assistantships in areas such as undergraduate education and advising, student involvement and organizations, leadership and community engagement, and the Dean of Students office (a few select positions offer full tuition remission)
  • aligns with national standards and competencies (CAS, NASPA/ACPA)

Equipping higher education and student affairs professionals to drive change across educational institutions and the broader intersections with the community.

  • Online or in-person
  • 33 credit hours: 12 months of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study
  • Graduate assistantships, partnership discounts, and scholarships are available
  • Cohort-based learningA smiling profesor.

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BE THE FIRST ON THE LIST

We will begin accepting applications in Fall 2025. Click through and complete this form to be the first to receive information about the MA in HESA program.

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Linda A. and H. Kent Baker

Linda A. and H. Kent Baker's Historic Gift

The transformative gift honors their AU love story with permanent endowed resources for the school.

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Meet Dr. Campbell

Dr. Campbell brings leadership experience to the HESA program from her work in academic affairs (Sr. Associate Dean of AU’s School of Education), student affairs (Assistant Director of Housing Programs at George Washington Univ.), and as a 2020 Program Chair for the Association for the Study of Higher Education. She has secured funding from the Gates Foundation, been appointed to a committee of the National Academies and the US Department of Education, was an Associate Editor and/or member of the editorial board for several leading higher education journals, such as the Review of Higher Education and the Journal of College Student Development. She is a nationally known expert on college teaching with more than 50 publications and a 2023 book published by Harvard Education Press, Great College Teaching: Where It Happens and How to Foster It Everywhere, and has been quoted by numerous public media outlets including NPR, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Higher Education.

Meet Dr. McGowan

Dr. Brian McGowan is a nationally recognized scholar, speaker, and consultant on college student success and equity-minded policies in higher education. With over 20 years of experience as an academic administrator, tenured professor, and student affairs practitioner, he has authored more than 40 publications and secured over $2.4 million in external funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He is best known for his research on Black men’s experiences in higher education, with attention to interpersonal relationships, identity development, and campus climate. Brian began his career in residence life, serving for four years as a hall director and area coordinator. He served as the 2021 Program Chair for Division J (Postsecondary Education) of the American Educational Research Association and sits on editorial boards for leading journals. His work is grounded in mentorship, equity, and student empowerment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Many students continue to work full-time throughout their Master's program. We offer online or in-person classes to accommodate your busy schedule.

29% tuition discounts are offered to employees or alumni of certain partners. Learn more here. 

The discounts include:

  • The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington
  • City Teaching Alliance
  • City Year
  • local school districts around Washington, DC
  • Peace Corps and Coverdell Fellows Program
  • Teach for America
  • US JET Alumni Association

Yes! 

  • Approximately 15 graduate assistantships are available in areas such as undergraduate education and advising, student involvement and organizations, leadership and community engagement, and the Dean of Students office. Some assistantships offer hourly pay and a few select positions offer full tuition remission.  
  • Graduate scholarships are awarded by the School of Education with the priority deadline for scholarships of February 1. Please contact the graduate admissions office for more information on applications and deadlines.

Learning Outcome (LO) 1: Demonstrate ethical self-awareness and a commitment to equity and justice in their professional practice.
Critically reflect on identity, values, and ethics, applying socially just principles to decision-making and professionalism in higher education and student affairs.

LO2: Apply historical, philosophical, and theoretical frameworks to address contemporary issues in higher education.
Synthesize key ideas from the history of higher education and the values of higher education and student affairs as a field, using them to reimagine practices and policies.

LO3: Design and evaluate higher education and student affairs programs, policies, and interventions using research, assessment, and data.
Utilize inclusive research methods and ethical assessment tools to analyze institutional practices and recommend improvements that advance student outcomes and equity.

LO4: Design inclusive learning environments that support holistic student development and success.
Apply student development theories and advising strategies to support the personal, academic, and identity-based needs of diverse student populations.

LO5: Apply legal, policy, and governance knowledge to promote institutional integrity and student-centered practices.
Navigate legal issues, governance structures, and policy environments to support compliance, equity, and effectiveness in higher education contexts.

LO6: Lead with integrity and facilitate inclusive organizational change in higher education and students affairs.
Analyze and apply leadership and organizational theories to develop, implement, and assess strategies that build inclusive teams, manage conflict, and promote socially responsible transformation.

Summer
Elective (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)

Fall
Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice in Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Research Methods in Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Contemporary topics in Higher Education and Student Affairs (1 credit) 
Internship (3 credit)

Spring
College Student Development Theory (3 credits)
Organization & Administration of Higher Education (3 credits)
Higher Education Policy (3 credits)
Contemporary topics in higher education and student affairs (1 credit)
Capstone (1 credit)
Elective (3 credits)
 

Fall Semester - Year 1
Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice in Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)

Spring Semester - Year 1
College Student Development Theory (3 credits)
Organization & Administration of Higher Education (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)

Fall semester - Year 2
Research Methods in Higher Education and Student Affairs (3 credits)
Contemporary topics in higher education and student affairs (1 credit)
Internship (3 credit)

Spring semester - Year 2
Higher Education Policy (3 credits)
Contemporary topics in higher education and student affairs (1 credit)
Capstone (1 credit)
Elective (3 credits)

Total credits: 33 (23 requirements, 9 electives where 2 must be in HESA)

To receive financial aid students must take at least a part-time class schedule, which consists of 5 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters, and 2 credits in the Summer semester.

Equity-Based Teaching in Higher Education cove-

Researchers Lead Major Study on Equity-Based Teaching in Higher Edu

School of Education faculty members Dr. Brian L. McGowan and Dr. Corbin M. Campbell have co-led a transformative research initiative examining how to scale equity-based teaching in higher education. The two-year, $1.1M study with the University of Connecticut and Florida International University developed comprehensive strategies for creating more equitable learning environments.

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Still have questions? Send us an email: soeadmissions@american.edu