Higher Education and Student Affairs Concentration (Advanced Standing Concentration that can be applied toward GR degrees)

The Graduate School of Business and Leadership offers the Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) for the educational purpose of developing specialized knowledge and competencies in the postsecondary educational space, particularly with relation to student affairs.

The advanced pathway opportunity for Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) is open to students meeting the requirements for participation in Advanced Standing Coursework through the Undergraduate College. This pathway creates an opportunity for students to engage with HESA as a scholarly area and potential career path. Additionally, NLU’s HESA program will automatically admit any NLU undergraduate college graduate who has achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher AND has completed one or more of the HED cross-listed courses (HED 401, HED 409, HED 430) with a grade of B or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1. Analyze the impact of higher education policy, student demographics, and institutional characteristics on student success, retention, and academic achievement.

PLO2. Demonstrate the ability to use theory and data to identify trends, needs, and gaps in student affairs programs and services, and across higher education.

PLO3. Develop and implement effective strategies for promoting educational justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within higher education institutions.

PLO4. Evaluate the effectiveness of student affairs programs and services in promoting student engagement, academic success, and personal development.

PLO5. Demonstrate a deep understanding of ethical and legal issues that impact higher education, such as student privacy, free speech, and academic freedom.

PLO6. Develop effective leadership skills in managing and supervising staff, budgeting and financial management, and strategic planning for higher education institutions and student affairs departments.

Concentration Details:

Requires 15 QH for completion
Requires a minimum grade of "C" for each course in the concentration
15 QH must be taken at NLU

This is an advanced standing concentration that can be applied toward specific graduate degrees; see more details below.

Program Details

Concentration Details:

Requires 15 QH for completion
Requires a minimum grade of "C" for each course in the concentration
15 QH must be taken at NLU

Note: The same courses may not be used to satisfy the concentration and program major requirements.

This is an advanced standing concentration that can be applied toward specific graduate degrees; see more details below.

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO1. Analyze the impact of higher education policy, student demographics, and institutional characteristics on student success, retention, and academic achievement.

PLO2. Demonstrate the ability to use theory and data to identify trends, needs, and gaps in student affairs programs and services, and across higher education.

PLO3. Develop and implement effective strategies for promoting educational justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within higher education institutions.

PLO4. Evaluate the effectiveness of student affairs programs and services in promoting student engagement, academic success, and personal development.

PLO5. Demonstrate a deep understanding of ethical and legal issues that impact higher education, such as student privacy, free speech, and academic freedom.

Required Courses

Concentration

HED 401	Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs	5
HED 409	Interpersonal Relationships and Intervention Skills	5
HED 430	Minority-serving Institutions and DEIJ in Higher Education	5

Advanced standing requirements:

Students completing the advanced standing courses in the Higher Ed and Student Affairs concentration are eligible to have these courses applied to degree requirements both in their current undergraduate program and, upon meeting eligibility criteria and acceptance, to the specifically designed NLU graduate program. This concentration serves as an advanced pathway to the Master of Higher Ed and Student Affairs (HESA) program. To be eligible, students must complete the advanced standing courses at NLU. Students should contact their Academic Advisor for details as certain rules apply.