Higher Education (MA), Program Information

Program Faculty

Department Chairperson

Frimpomaa Ampaw, Ed.D. 

315 Banneker Building

Tel: (443) 885-3781; Fax: (443) 885-8238

E-Mail: frimpomaa.ampaw@morgan.edu

Program Director

Steve D. Mobley, Jr., PhD

Banneker Hall 315H

Tel: (443) 885-3292

E-Mail: steve.mobley@morgan.edu

Faculty

Virginia Byrne, PhD

Banneker Hall 315P

Tel: (443) 885-3382

E-Mail: virginia.byrne@morgan.edu

Niah Grimes, PhD

Banneker Hall 315N

Tel: (443) 885-3452

E-Mail: niah.grimes@morgan.edu

Jordan Harper, PhD

Banneker Hall 315C

Tel: (443) 885-4007

E-Mail: jordan.harper@morgan.edu

Steve D. Mobley, Jr., PhD

Banneker Hall 315H

Tel: (443) 885-3292

E-Mail: steve.mobley@morgan.edu

C. Sean Robinson, PhD

Banneker Hall 310A

Tel: (443) 885-4751

E-Mail: sean.robinson@morgan.edu

Benjamin Welsh, PhD

Banneker Hall 315A

Tel: (443) 885-3748

E-Mail: benjamin.welsh@morgan.edu

Program Description

The Master of Arts degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration is designed to prepare students for a variety of student affairs positions in postsecondary institutions. Our program emphasizes social justice and service to diverse student populations at various types of institutions. In addition, although the goal of this master’s program is to equip student affairs educators with a broad understanding of the role of student affairs and student development in postsecondary education, the practicum and internship experiences allow students to explore specific interests and enhance their skills in more specific areas.

Program Objectives

Recognizing the breadth of possible experiences and positions within student affairs, the MA program in Student Affairs Administration is developed around the competencies of ACPA and NASPA, the two primary student affairs professional associations. The program conforms to the norms and standards found in the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. There are 13 goals of the MA program:

• To understand and articulate the role of student affairs in the context of postsecondary education

• To reference historical and current documents that state the philosophical foundations of the profession and communicate their relevance to current student affairs practice

• To articulate the inherent values of the profession that are stipulated in historical and current documents in a manner that indicates how these values guide practice

• To understand complexities of diversity and inclusion as they affect higher education and student affairs

• To demonstrate the ability to use appropriate theory (e.g., student development, organizational, learning, leadership, etc.) and data-based decision making to assist institutions in accomplishing their missions

• To demonstrate a flexible capacity to use skill sets (e.g., technology, distance learning, communication, etc.) to deliver programs and services that engage students and foster student learning and development

• To analyze, understand, create, and/or modify learning environments.

• To use appropriate theory to understand, support, and advocate for student learning and development

• To assess learning and developmental needs and outcomes

• To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of student characteristics and collegiate environments on student learning and learning opportunities

• To demonstrate knowledge, skills, and awareness of resources necessary to design and evaluate effective educational interventions and/or programs for individuals and groups

• To demonstrate the ability to identify and appropriately refer persons who need additional resources

• To demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to apply a code of ethics or ethical principles sanctioned by a recognized professional organization.

Admission

1. Students must have received their bachelor’s degree prior to starting their coursework. Official transcripts of all academic work completed at regionally accredited institutions of higher education must be submitted prior to matriculation.

2. Students are expected to have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better; if a student has a cumulative overall GPA between 2.5-3.0 but has a 3.0 or better for the last two years of undergraduate work, they may be offered conditional admission. Students should also have a GPA of 3.0 or better in any graduate study beyond the baccalaureate degree.

3. Three (3) official recommendations from supervisors, faculty, or professionals who can comment on and attest to the applicant’s ability to engage in graduate level work. Note that recommendations can not come from family members.

4. International students, whose native language is not English, must provide a minimum TOEFL score of 590 PBT/97 iBT (scores approximately at the 75th percentile), or an IELTS score of 6.5, and demonstrate through the required written documentation and interview that they have requisite verbal and analytical skills needed to successfully complete the program. 

5. A 2-3 page written statement explicitly outlining 1) applicant’s professional experiences, including any relevant experiences in student affairs and higher education, 2) specific career goals in higher education, and 3) how achieving a master’s through Morgan State University’s program in higher education & student affairs will assist in accomplishing those career goals.

6. A current resume or curriculum vita, documenting professional experiences particularly as they relate to higher education/student affairs.

7. A writing sample, such as a course paper, publication, or research proposal abstracts. If applicant does not have a recent writing sample, applicants are asked to respond to the following questions in a 3-5-page well-crafted essay: What do you see as three (3) major trends or issues facing higher education and student affairs? What are the implications of these trends/issues for campuses (including students, faculty, staff, or other constituents)?

8.  A personal interview with program faculty may be required.

General Degree Requirements

• To be awarded the MA in Higher Education Administration, a student must have completed 36 credit hours of coursework along with the submission of Portfolio. The department may transfer a maximum of six semester hours of graduate work taken from another accredited institution prior to admission.

• All students are expected to maintain high standards of scholarship throughout the duration of the programs. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.6 at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation. A grade point average of 3.0 or above must be maintained in order for a student to continue to receive financial aid. Grades of “C” may not count for more than 20 percent of total credit hours applied towards degree requirements.

• The coursework component of the program is designed to be completed in six semesters, exclusive of summer coursework.

• All candidates are expected to submit and pass the Portfolio requirement, which is submitted in the final semester of coursework.

• All degree requirements must be completed within a maximum of six years of admission to the program.

Residency Requirements

A student is admitted to the School of Graduate Studies upon satisfying minimum academic criteria and any additional requirements (e.g. tests, portfolio, interview, etc.) established by the faculty in the graduate degree program in which the student seeks to matriculate. Following admission to the School of Graduate Studies, a student must complete a minimum number of credits at Morgan State University while matriculating in a graduate degree program. Upon completion of the minimum credits required to be taken at Morgan State University, the residency requirement has been met. 

Residency requirements apply to students matriculating in masters and/or doctoral programs.The minimum requirement for residency in either master’s or doctoral degree programs at Morgan State University (MSU ) is 18 credits of graduate course work completed at MSU. Transfer credit, internship, thesis, and dissertation seminar or guidance courses may not be used to satisfy residency requirements.

Program of Study Advisor

Each Master’s degree student will be guided through his or her program by an advisor assigned from the full-time resident faculty or affiliated faculty within the School of Education and Urban Studies.

Program Course Requirements 36 credits

MA Higher Education 36 Credits

Total Credit Hours Required: 36

Comprehensive Examination

As a part of the graduation requirements, each student must successfully complete a written examination at or near the completion of all coursework. The comprehensive examination will be taken within a time period to be published and announced annually by the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy. Students will have a three-week period of time to respond to questions in the following areas: (A) General Knowledge of Higher and Postsecondary Education and (B) Specialized Knowledge of Degree Concentration or Approved Areas of Emphasis. Following the examination, each student will schedule an oral defense.

The pools of questions for both parts of the written examination will be developed by the faculty of the program, which will be published and distributed to students in both hard copy and electronic formats for easy access by potential examinees. The comprehensive exams will be reviewed and rated by at least two members of the faculty. For those cases in which there are major differences in the ratings, a third faculty member and/or the Chair of the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy will also review the results before a final determination is made regarding pass with special merit, pass, or fail. A student who fails the comprehensive examination will be allowed one retake to be scheduled no sooner than three months and no later than 12 months from the date of the first attempt.

Suggested Curriculum Sequence

• Higher Education (MA), Curriculum Sequence