School of Education
DEPARTMENTSMaster of Arts in Leadership in Student Affairs Courses
Courses in the master's program are three credits each unless otherwise noted. Total credits to earn Master of Arts are 42 credits (meets the CAS standards of 42 to 49 hours).
Cohort Curriculum
Introduction to Student Affairs
EDLD 703 (2 Credits)
Learning-Centered Practice
EDLD 765
Future Trends in Student Affairs
EDLD 760
Culture, Values and Ethics of Higher Education
EDLD 707
Optimizing College Student Experience
EDLD 790
Electronic Portfolio
EDLD 877 (1 Credit)
Cohort = 15 Credits
Other Coursework
Administrative Leadership
EDLD 715
Theories of Difference in Leadership
EDLD 855
Communication, Conflict and Decision-Making
EDLD 845
Leadership and Organizational Theory
EDLD 801
Research, Analysis and Critique
EDLD 621
Student Affairs Internship I
EDLD 785
Student Affairs Internship II
EDLD 786
Seminar in Higher Education
EDLD 890
Collateral = 24 Credits
Elective(s)
Choose three-credit courses approved by advisor (minimum three credits required; can take up to nine elective credits)
Possible Electives:
Feminist Perspectives on Leadership
Higher Education Law
Community Colleges
International Student Services
Counseling
Course Descriptions
EDLD 703 Introduction to Student Affairs
Student affairs personnel are employed in a wide range of institutional types and functional areas. To function effectively in these settings, student affairs professionals must understand the purposes of higher education and the role of student affairs personnel in facilitating learning and personal development among students. Knowledge and appreciation of the history, philosophy, and theoretical underpinnings of the field, as well as current and emerging issues facing higher education are key to working as an educator in student affairs. This course is designed to introduce you to the student affairs profession and the higher education environment in which it functions.
EDLD 765 Learning-Centered Practice
This course focuses on the background assumptions that shape both student learning and development. A variety of learning and human development theories will be explored. The course examines how students learn and construct meaning and create knowledge. Further, it explores theories and models on how to facilitate the development of a student-centered integrated learning environment.
EDLD 760 Future Trend in Student Affairs
This course introduces the field of student affairs, its history, current context and future challenges and issues. Ethical, legal and developmental issues are examined in the practice of student affairs leadership. Students develop the capacity to imagine different structures and practices that would respond to current and future challenges within student affairs and its role within higher education.
EDLD 707 Culture, Values and Ethics of Higher Education
This course explores and examines the differing and shared belief systems and practices between public and private higher education. Special attention will be given to moral reasoning and ethical frameworks, how power dynamics affect ethics in practice, authenticity and integrity, ethical dilemmas and issues and how these concepts are played out in the practice of implementing values based educational experiences in the co-curriculum as practiced within the pluralistic nature of our society.
EDLD 790 Optimizing the College Student Experience
This is the capstone course for the leadership in student affairs concentration in the master’s program in educational leadership. It integrates the coursework and experiences into a systemic view of student affairs and higher education and the practitioner’s role in optimizing the student learning experience. It focuses on strategies for influencing organizational culture in order to provide an enriched integrated learning experience for the college student.
EDLD 715 Administrative Leadership
This course explores the connections of theory and practice in administrative leadership and management of student affairs. Beginning with higher education finance and budget management the course broadens to include the principles of supervision and management and their connections to professional standards and best practices. You will be provided the opportunity to practice leadership and management in your own department while also creating the partnerships needed within student affairs and with other faculty and staff colleagues.
EDLD 855 Theories of Difference in Leadership
Issues of difference are directly connected to our work, lives, communities in which we live, and the emerging global society. Answers may not always be found; however, by being flexible and open to change, growth and learning can occur. Learning about difference is an on-going developmental process that is explored throughout this course.
EDLD 845 Communication, Conflict and Decision Making
This course examines strategies for analyzing and dealing with conflict between individuals and groups, effective communication processes and decision-making strategies. The theoretical foundations of particular strategies are emphasized. Students use case studies, simulations and exercises to practice problem analysis and resolution, negotiation, collaborative relationship and team building.
EDLD 801 Leadership and Organizational Theory
This course examines how educational organizations develop and change and how leaders and followers interact within organizations from several theoretical and conceptual perspectives. Students observe the workings of educational institutions and programs, interview educational leaders, and analyze their own understanding and practice of leadership.
EDLD 621 Research Design, Analysis and Critique I
]After an introductory overview of social research, this course emphasizes historical and ethnographic approaches to thinking about collecting and analyzing information. Course activities provide an opportunity to experience doing research using historical and qualitative methods.
EDLD 785 Student Affairs Internship I
The student is involved in a 250-hour internship experience with an on-site mentor at a college or university. Interns keep a reflective journal and bring the fruits of their reflections to the readings and discussions of EDLD 760 Future Trends in Student Affairs.
EDLD 786 Student Affairs Internship II and Seminar
The student is involved in a 250-hour internship experience with an on-site mentor at a college or university. Interns participate in a seminar that emphasizes the importance of reflective practice. Prerequisite: EDLD 785.
EDLD 890 Seminar in Higher Education
This seminar is designed to give the student an overview of higher education. It addresses the historical development and current trends in higher education. Extrapolating from this history and these trends transformation is considered as to how higher education may be structured and practiced in the future. Specifically, the course is organized around five main themes: historical development, students, professors, governance and transformation. Emphasis is given to the student’s personal and professional objectives through individual research and class discussion.
Please also refer to our catalog.
