Are you interested in a career in higher education? Earn your Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs (MS HESA) degree at 91社区, and get the tools and experience necessary for a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of college students!
HESA Financial Support
The Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs offers a variety of merit-based scholarship opportunities to help support your graduate education. Apply by Feb. 1 for priority consideration.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships provide valuable professional experience while you pursue your M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Apply by Feb. 1 to receive priority consideration for a wide variety of Student Affairs graduate assistantships.
Gain hands-on experience, develop your professional skills, and prepare for a rewarding career in higher education and student affairs through these opportunities. Visit the Student Affairs Graduate Assistantship webpage to explore available positions. Position descriptions and more information will be added as it becomes available.
Get started
Rolling decisions
The Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) reviews applications on a rolling basis rather than after a set deadline. We continue to make admission decisions as applications are received until the program is full.
The earlier you submit your application, the earlier you鈥檒l receive a decision!
- Those wishing to be considered for fall funding should have their applications in by Feb. 1; applications received after this deadline are considered on a rolling/space available basis.
- Applications are accepted for both fall and spring semesters.
Requirements to be eligible for graduate study
Provide a complete set of your undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts showing one of the following:
- You have earned a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university.
- You are within one academic year of earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university.
You also must have earned, at minimum, one of the following:
- A 3.0 GPA over your entire undergraduate career
- A 3.0 GPA during your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of your undergraduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
- A 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
In consideration of the different grading scales used around the world, the Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs evaluates international transcripts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether they demonstrate one of the above requirements.
Regular admission requirements
To apply, you must submit the following materials:
- Online graduate degree application and fee
- Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Ideally, one of your two letters should come from professors who know your work well and can attest to your ability to be successful in graduate level work, while the other should come from someone (such as a supervisor or advisor) who can speak knowledgeably about your choice of student affairs as a career.
- Personal statement
The personal statement should be no more than 2-3 double-spaced pages and should answer the following questions. When evaluating the personal statement, the graduate admissions committee assesses the candidate's level of understanding about what higher education and student affairs professionals do, as well as the qualities, aspirations, experiences, and skills that are necessary to be successful in graduate school.- Why do you want to pursue a Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs degree?
- When did you discover your interest in higher education as a career, and what specific experiences inspired you to pursue a career in higher education?
- What do you plan to do professionally after earning your Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs degree from 91社区? Describe your career goals and the type of work you would like to pursue.
- R茅sum茅 or curriculum vitae
- Acknowledge the Higher Education and Student Affairs Contract (available in the online
application)
- Review the before signing the contract. By completing this contract, you agree, if admitted to the program, to abide by the professional standards of student affairs professionals as set forth by this Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards.
For general guidelines for these materials, see the Graduate School Admission Requirements.
GRE SCORES ARE NOT REQUIRED!
Guaranteed admission for eligible SUNY graduates
The Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs offers guaranteed admission to students who hold a bachelor's degree from a SUNY college or university with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Students who wish to apply through the guaranteed admission process should contact us at hesa@binghamton.edu.
Please note: You will still need to complete the online application and submit your transcripts, resume, and personal statement for guaranteed admission.
Fast-track application for eligible students
The Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs offers a fast-track application process open to students who hold a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited United States institution of higher education.
Students who meet the requirement and wish to apply through the fast-track application process should contact us at hesa@binghamton.edu.
Please note: You will still need to complete the online application and submit your transcripts, resume, and personal statement for fast-track application consideration.
International student admissions
International students must also submit the following materials:
- International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
- Supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.)
- Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic/Duolingo* scores)
For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Graduate School Admission Requirements website.
This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to update these program pages, we recommend you contact hesa@binghamton.edu with questions about program-specific requirements.
Not ready to commit?
Apply as a Non-Matriculated Student
Financial aid and funding
91社区 offers affordable tuition rates and several options for financing your education. In addition, scholarships are a great way to help pay for the cost of your education. Visit the Graduate School for more information about financial aid and funding.
Scholarships
A variety of scholarship opportunities are available to students enrolled in College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) master's programs. To learn more, visit the CCPA Scholarships and Funding webpage.
Felony statement
Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.
Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Department Chair of their intended academic program.