Experiential Components
All concentrations require some form of experiential curriculum because of the faculty's strong commitment to provide both in- and out-of-class professional development experiences. We believe that supervised experiential learning, including practica and internships, are necessary to add breadth and depth to the development of higher education professionals. Practical experiences obtained as a part of an graduate program in higher education should include developmental work with individual students; program planning, implementation, and evaluation; administration and supervision; exposure to diverse clientele; use of assessment and evaluation tools; familiarity with electronic technologies for communication and teaching; and the application of ethical guidelines.
Practica
M.A. students must complete at least one 7.5-hour/week practicum experience in a student services office. This practicum is typically taken in the second semester of the first year of study. An M.A.-level site supervisor and the program faculty supervise the practicum, and the initial practicum experience includes a weekly seminar. Additional advanced practica may include work in other student affairs settings or as instructor to the College Transition seminar for incoming first-year students. All practica placements are subject to faculty approval.
List of recent practicum sites
Practicum handbook
Internship
M.A. students in the Student Affairs concentration must complete an internship in an approved student services site which includes 600 clock hours under the supervision of an MA-level supervisor. The purpose of the internship is to facilitate the development of a professional identity in the field and to integrate theory and standards into practice. The site and faculty supervisors collaborate to supervise students, and regular evaluations are required to ensure the student's development. Most students complete the internship requirement through their on-campus, half-time graduate assistantships over a period of two semesters in the second year of the HESA program.
Internship handbook |