The Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration (HEA) is a 36-credit
program. Each class is 3 credits, so the full degree program is 12 classes. The advanced
graduate certificate is an 18-credit program, requiring completion of 6 classes.
Most students complete the master’s degree in 2-3 years, but it can be completed in
as little as a year and a half by taking classes year-round. Students in the in-person
cohort will complete the program in 2 years. Students in the advanced graduate certificate
typically complete the program in 1-2 years. Students have up to 5 years to complete
the master’s degree and up to 3 years to complete the advanced graduate certificate.
No work experience in student affairs or higher education is required to attend the
HEA program. Familiarity with higher education and student affairs is helpful in
ensuring that HEA applicants have an interest in working as a professional staff member
in a college or university setting.
Yes, many of our online students are working professionals pursuing degrees while
continuing to work full-time. Our flexible asynchronous online course format enables
you to balance your work and family commitments. If you are working full-time, we
recommend that you take no more than 2 HEA classes per semester given the required
workload. If you are an in-person student in the 2-year cohort program, you will work
with Stony Brook staff to find graduate employment and practicum/internship opportunities
to strengthen your experience and competitiveness as a job candidate.
If you are in the in-person cohort program, you will take 3 classes (9 credits) each
fall and spring semesters for 2 years. For all other students, most will take 1, 2,
or 3 classes per semester. The average is 2 classes per semester. If you are working
full-time and enrolled in the 10-week online courses, we recommend taking no more
than 2 HEA classes per semester given the required workload.
The master’s degree includes 6 core classes and 6 elective classes. You will select
6 elective classes from among 15 options which are noted in the Course Descriptions. You have the opportunity to select the elective classes that align with your interests
and future career goals.
Most of the HEA classes are asynchronous online using Brightspace, our online learning
platform. Online classes are offered each fall, spring, and summer semester for 10
weeks. A 3-week intensive winter session is also offered online. Each week covers
a different unit and starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.
In-person classes are offered each fall and spring on Stony Brook’s main campus either
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings, typically from 5:30-8:30 pm, for
14 weeks.
All of our courses take place within Brightspace, our online learning platform. For
online courses, the course format is asynchronous, meaning that the interaction doesn’t
happen in real time (like in a Zoom meeting). Instead, you have the flexibility to
choose the times that work best for your schedule to complete the coursework, but
also meet the requirements in each course syllabus. Each week of the course, you
will engage with the course material, participate in discussions with your professor
and classmates, and submit any assignments.
If you are enrolled in the in-person cohort program, you will take HEA 586 – Practicum
in the spring of your first year and HEA 587 – Advanced Practicum in the fall of your
second year.
For all other programs, the practicum course is not required. HEA 586 is strongly
recommended if you do not have part-time or full-time professional experience in higher
education since employers seek candidates who have direct, hands-on experience in
a college or university setting.
A 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA is required to graduate from the HEA program.
HEA classes include a good degree of reading and writing. The courses are developed
around the NASPA and ACPA professional competencies to ensure that each student graduates with the skills needed to be well-prepared
for a variety of jobs in higher education and student affairs. Students taking online
courses will submit weekly discussion board posts and most classes include several
writing assignments. The master’s degree includes a capstone course in which each
student completes an in-depth research paper on a higher education topic of interest.
The HEA faculty are experienced administrators with in-depth knowledge of their subject
area and the higher education field. Many have or currently serve in senior leadership
roles in higher education and bring real world examples into the classroom discussions.
The HEA faculty are diverse, student-centered, approachable, and committed to your
success.
The Higher Education Administration Association (HEAA) is an HEA student-led organization
that provides professional development and program opportunities for HEA students,
working collaboratively with the HEA faculty. HEAA offers leadership opportunities
as an executive board member and serving on various committees.
Your HEA professors are very supportive, student-centered, and available to help if
you run into any problems, issues, or concerns while taking their class. In addition,
the SPD staff is here to support you through the HEA program. And if you have a technical
issue, the Division of Information Technology (DoIt) can provide solutions.
