HEA Admissions

Master of Arts and Advanced Graduate Certificate

Stony Brook University's Higher Education Administration program admits all students who have the talent and dedication necessary to become leaders.

Our HEA Admissions Committee welcomes applications from emerging and established professionals, as well as new graduates. HEA does not require standardized tests or specific undergraduate preparation for admission. Instead, by performing a holistic review of all submitted materials, the Committee develops a deeper understanding of each applicant's unique qualities, aspirations and potential to succeed. This process culiminates in an admitted student cohort that brings together people with diverse experiences and backgrounds who will enrich our community and advance our field.

We look forward to learning about you.

Next Application Deadline

December 1
for Spring 2025

Missed an application deadline?
You may still take a course as a non-matriculated student.

Details

COST & AID
Full tuition, fees and funding information. Details

Admissions Criteria

Admission is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of undergraduate major. The following criteria are required for admissions consideration, for both full and part-time applicants:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or a foreign equivalent. This degree can be in any subject.
A minimum 3.0 grade point average in prior academic work. In exceptional cases, a GPA below 3.0 will be considered for "conditional admission" to the School of Professional Development. The committee considers the rigor and GPA trend of prior coursework, any post-undergraduate coursework, years of experience in higher education, quality of writing of the personal statement and essay, and strength of the letters of recommendation. Conditionally admitted students must achieve a 3.0 GPA after 6 credits of graduate work to continue in the program.

Additional Criteria

For applicants whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English:
English language proficiency. Refer to Application Requirements for details.

For international students:
F1 Visa. Required only for those international students who have been accepted into the program.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit the following through our online application system by the deadline dates listed below for priority review. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Official Transcript: Sent By Your Undergraduate Institution

Our How to Submit Your Official Transcripts page will explain how to order your transcripts from your previous institution.

Current Undergraduates

Applicants who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program should submit a current official transcript.

Stony Brook Alumni

If you earned your bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University, you only need to submit your unofficial transcript, not your official transcript.

International Students

Please review the transcript information presented on our International Students page.
Applicants are required to submit an updated resume and a personal statement in the application portal.

The statement should be an original work of 750-1,000 words in which you answer the following questions:
- What is your purpose in pursuing a Master of Arts or Advanced Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration (HEA)?
- Why do you wish to be a part of the HEA program at Stony Brook University?
- How have you prepared yourself for a career in higher education? (Include any relevant undergraduate, graduate, or professional experience.)
- Specifically, how will the HEA degree/certificate assist you in advancing both your professional and personal goals?
- Describe your research and study interests and any other aspects of your background, skills, or qualifications that would aid the HEA Admissions Committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.
- If there is an academic performance or other weakness in your application that you wish to address, please include this in your personal statement so that the HEA Admissions Committee can make an informed decision.
Applicants will upload an original essay of 750-1000 words that addresses the following question: What are three critical issues facing colleges and universities today?

Your essay should reflect high quality writing skills and demonstrate your ability to pursue graduate level work.

The HEA Admissions Committee will review your essay on the basis of content, sentence structure, organization, critical thinking and analysis. You may consult and include outside resources in your essay, but if you do, you must include citations in the text in APA format as well as a reference page with the author's name, year of publication, and title of publication.
Letters should be from employers, colleagues, teachers, or professors with whom you have worked or studied that can speak to your experience and interest in pursuing studies in Higher Education Administration. Submit the names and email addresses of the recommenders on your application and they will be contacted. Do not collect paper or digital letters as there is no way for you to upload them into the application system.
Applicants whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English must also submit one of the following:
- A TOEFL internet-based score of 80 or above. TOEFL iBT® Home Edition test scores are acceptable.
- An IELTS test with an overall score of 6.5 or above, with no sub-scores below 6.0
Official scores are required to have an application reviewed for possible admission. Applicants who do not meet the minimum test scores will not be considered.

Please instruct ETS to send the official score reports electronically to the State University of New York at Stony Brook, code 2548. www.ets.org/toefl

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Information Session

Going to graduate school is a big commitment, so make sure you're fully informed. Attend one of our information sessions to meet the program and admissions directors and learn more about our program options, online learning, campus job opportunities, the admissions process and more.

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Application Deadlines

While we will always accept and review applications, those submitted by the dates listed at right will be granted review for the corresponding term. Completed application packages received after this date will be accommodated as space permits.

If an applicant's package is missing materials and cannot be reviewed for the selected term, the application will be held for processing for the next admissions cycle.

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Flex Online Program

100% online or mix of online & in-person classes

Summer: May 1

Fall: July 15

Spring: December 1

Cohort Program

Full-time on-campus program (Fall admission only)

Fall: June 1

Frequently Asked Questions

ADMISSIONS

Stony Brook’s Higher Education Administration (HEA) program has a rich history of being one of the largest and best higher education programs in the country. Since its launch in 2011, the HEA program has graduated more than 950 proud alumni, most of whom are working in the higher education field. The HEA program includes more than 30 diverse faculty members who have senior level experience in higher education and are committed to student success. The HEA program offers both in-person and flexible online options, including a variety of unique elective course options, to support your needs, interests, and professional goals.
No, there is no required undergraduate major to apply to the HEA program. We are looking for students who have a strong interest in working in a college or university setting. The HEA degree program includes a significant amount of reading and writing, so students should be prepared to hone those skills during their studies.
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.
You will need to submit a personal statement, an essay, and a resume to let us know why you think the HEA program will help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You will also need to send your official undergraduate transcript to us showing you have earned your bachelor’s degree (prior to the start of your HEA graduate coursework). You will also need to submit two letters of recommendation.
Recommendations can come from a variety of sources, such as a past or current faculty members, past or current supervisors, or a colleague who is currently working in the higher education field.
We generally seek at least a 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA (B average) for admission. We do consider applicants who have a GPA that’s lower than 3.0 and may offer conditional admission, particularly for candidates who already have professional experience in higher education. Conditionally admitted students must achieve a 3.0 GPA after 6 credits of graduate work to continue in the HEA program. Candidates whose academic record may not be reflective of their abilities are encouraged to share more information as part of their personal statement in the application.
Yes, you can transfer up to 12 graduate credits towards the master’s degree and up to 6 graduate credits towards the advanced graduate certificate as long as they meet the following criteria:
- The credits earned were not part of another program in which you earned a degree.
- You earned a B or better in the course.
- The credits were earned within the last 5 years.
All requests must be reviewed and approved by the HEA faculty director. For more information, review the transfer credit policy.
Yes, we welcome international students into the program. We require international students to demonstrate proficiency in English since the coursework is taught in English. An F1 Visa is required for international students who wish to study in-person at Stony Brook.
For the online HEA program, we admit students for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. For the in-person cohort program, we admit students for the fall only. Application deadlines for each semester are published on the HEA website.

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