The Higher Education & Student Affairs program curriculum places emphasis on developing student affairs educators who are able to apply theories of college student development, organization, and administration to higher education environments. In addition, because of Baylor’s unique position as a Christian research university, students explore the role of faith-based colleges and universities in U.S. higher education.

Each fall cohorts of approximately ten full-time (and a small number of part-time students) are typically enrolled. Students come from various large public universities, small liberal arts colleges, and private institutions within the United States and occasionally from abroad.  Graduates serve at institutions across the country and work in a variety of higher education positions such as student affairs, enrollment management, academic advising, and academic support programs. 

The application deadline for fall admission each year is January 1. Applications by December 1 are encouraged when possible. A completed application consists of:

1. an application to the Baylor University Graduate School and application fee;
2. official transcripts from any institution of higher education attended;
3. official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores;
4. three letters of recommendation; and
5. a statement of interest and resume.

Each element of the application packet is considered. Although there are no minimum requirements for admission, the faculty recommends a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, a GRE combined score of at least 300, and a GRE analytical score of at least 4.0. Full-time students are required to have a graduate apprenticeship that extends the classroom experience to day-to-day practice.

Courses in the program include the following:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EDL 5100	Professional Seminar in Higher Education and Student Affairs	1
EDL 5379	Foundations & History of Higher Education Leadership	3
EDL 5370	Psychosocial Development in College Students	3
EDL 5371	Cognitive-Structural Development in College Students	3
EDL 5372	Culture and Organization of Higher Education	3
EDL 5394	Planning, Budgeting, & Human Resources in Higher Education	3
EDL 5273	Person-Environment Theories	2
EDL 5300	Research Applications in Educational Leadership	3
EDL 5336	Qualitative Research in Higher Education	3
EDP 5329	Counseling Theories and Techniques	3
EDL 5391	Cultural Issues in Higher Education	3
EDL 5374	Moral and Faith Development in College Students	3
EDL 5392	Higher Education & the Law	3
EDL 5399	Faith-Based Higher Education	3
EDL 5378	Capstone Course: Special Problems in Student Services Leadership	3
or EDL 5V99	Thesis
Total Hours		42

Transfer

A maximum of six semester hours may be transferred from an accredited institution toward a master’s degree. Credit for graduate course work transferred from other universities is subject to the following provisions:

1. the work must be equivalent to Baylor graduate-level courses and must have been completed while a student was enrolled in good standing as a graduate student;
2. the work must have been done within five years prior to matriculation into the master’s degree program;
3. the school from which the credits are transferred must be accredited by a regional accreditation agency;
4. the student must have earned a letter grade of “B” or above­--audited courses or courses taken for “pass/fail” credit will not transfer;
5. none of the transfer course work consists of extension or workshop courses; and
6. petition for transfer of credit occurs after enrollment in the Graduate School.

Courses taken at Baylor as a “transfer of credit,” post baccalaureate, or non-degree graduate student may be petitioned as a transfer credit toward a graduate degree only after admission to a Baylor graduate program.

Capstone Case Study or Thesis

Every HESA master’s student must partake in a culminating experience, whether in the form of taking the capstone course and assigned case study analysis or in the form of a thesis project. The case study analysis is incorporated into the capstone course, while the thesis project is conducted in lieu of taking the capstone course.

The thesis is designed to provide students with a deep and meaningful research experience. Students must apply and receive permission from the faculty program director of the HESA program before beginning thesis work. HESA theses involve completed research resulting in a journal article or its equivalent. This paper is regarded as a master’s thesis. Students can select from one of two options for their thesis. Although both options result in a journal article, one option involves joining a faculty research project, while the other option involves proposing an independent research project.